To put wine and chocolate in the food bank?

[Nunyabusiness]

Picked up a miniature white wine and a 5 pack of twirls, husband was aghast. My view is that people who are struggling to feed their families wouldn't have funds for such treats.

(I did also put tinned fruit and veg in, by the way!)

I wonder if pp donate things like salt and pepper, herbs and spices etc? Things that can make cheap, bland food more interesting? Take the point that pp's cooking facilities may be limited, but curious to know if they might be useful to donate?

Can I ask a question? Does anyone know if I can do an online shop for delivery to a food bank?

I try to donate to a charity every month, usually here its for abandoned animals. However, if there was a way to do an online shop straight to a food bank then I'd do it maybe once a month.

I'm a little wary of doing so in case it wouldn't be accepted for any reason (things like I would have had no idea that formula wouldn't be accepted, for example)

I just donate money directly to the local foodbank, much more efficient transfer of resources.

Expat at my local Tesco, there are sometimes lists, for people who want to donate.

The Churches make recommendations as well.

Can I ask a question? Does anyone know if I can do an online shop for delivery to a food bank?

You can to mine but surely it makes more sense just to donate £30 or £50 or whatever when you feel like it?

Inigo, Supermarkets match donations, so they put in the more unusual, but useful stuff.

Also, the money donated makes sure that full meals can be put together.

"Does anyone ever give sanatairy products? "

They must do round here, because it's currently on the list of 'thanks, we have enough'

5rivers just trying to figure out the easier way to do so - I'm not in the UK and I also don't know if you can do just monetary contributions? If you can, then yes, it would be easier most probably.

ptumbi yes you will always get the odd person who abuses the system, that is human nature, sadly. No system is completely foolproof either.
They will still be in the minority though, the vast majority will need the food and toiletries they receive.
I only used a foodbank when I absolutely had to, and I hated it. I probably wouldn't have bothered if it was just me, I would have got by somehow but my daughter had to eat proper meals.
Being able to feed your children proper meals that they actually want to eat isn't too much to ask surely, in one of the wealthiest economies in the world, and so called civilised society.

Ptumbi donated a fiver to the air ambulance today, so all those kids going to bed tonight with empty bellies can feel better about the world 👍🏼

I put in hair bobbles and elastics, in school friendly colours and, at this time of year, lip salve.

The free samples which come with online shopping usually go there too, as do excess sachets of condiments that turn up with deliveroo. And the other thing that can help make dull food more interesting (something I was told by an ex-military type) is small bottles of chilli sauce.

The sorts of prepackaged long-life things that go in children's school lunchboxes seem to be welcomed too.

At the risk of being flamed - I never donate to food banks. We live in one of the richest countries in the world, and have a world-reknown benefits system. Why do we need food banks? What did people do before them?

What people did before was queue at soup kitchens.

The typical food bank user is someone working who has a low income and a big bill comes in, the bill has to take priority.

Can I give an idea for those of you thinking about Xmas?

I read on here a few years ago on a, 'what was you best ever present' someone who said a bottle of dove shampoo.' She went on to explain she was in a refuge and had nothing, just the clothes she was wearing.

Since then, in December, I send some make up to my local refuge, Superdrug often have 3 for 2 offers and can be delivered. I tend to get single eye shadows or lipstick because they can be spread out among a few people.

My local food bank say they urgently need tinned veg.

Does that mean like potatoes and peas? Or chickpeas and kidney beans or both?

I popped out in my break and have bought
Nesquik cereal
Heinz spaghetti & baked beans
Cupasoups
Fray Bentos pie
mugshot things
Smash
jelly mixes
Custard powder
sandwich paste

Hopefully these will be okay?

I'll get some "nicer" things to donate next week.

You do realize that the volunteers get first dibs on donations? I would not count on the needy getting good your treats. I stopped donating the better toys after I saw the well to do volunteers discussing their intentions for my donations: grandchildren.

Cameblack I would say both. Don't forget tinned carrots though, they're quite handy.

That's lovely OP! Such a nice treat xxx

"You do realize that the volunteers get first dibs on donations? "

I know of many food banks and the Volunteers. I've never known that to happen. Everything is accounted for and distributed.

I've known food bank volunteers to give out of their own pockets and donate weekly despite being on benefits/disabled themselves.

If you know of a case, then report.

That's terrible!! I never knew that Abbylee - How can people who volunteer in a food bank even consider for a millisecond having 'first dibs' at the donations. Bloody SHAME on them

Thanks @noeffingidea

Sorry another question but they urgently need sponge puddings, that's in a can right? I love those things, haven't had one in years but will enjoy buying some for me an d some for the doodle bank

Think of what tinned veg will go well with a lot on other things. Carrots and peas will add to a meal and lots of kids eat them. What meal will chick peas or kidney beans be part of, will the person have everything else needed to make that meal, and will kids eat it?

Tinned fruit works well. Can't really go wrong with that.

Birdsgottafly - I was typing furiously my last post to Abby and have just seen yours. Thank you xxx

Cameblack anything from the isle, Peas, Carrots, Mushrooms, Sweet corn, green beans and you can get mixed veg in a tin.

Jam is always on our local wanted list, as are biscuits.

I always donate dry dog/cat food alongside the usual bits.

There's a lovely girl who sells The Big Issue outside our local m&s, she never hassles anyone and is really sweet

If I e been into m&s I sometimes get her something, a drink, biscuits etc

At Christmas I made her up a toiletry bag with shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser and a few other bits I had knocking around