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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder who would put champagne in the foodbank box?

72 replies

Drinaballerina · 16/02/2018 15:01

Shopping today, as I dropped off my items I saw 3 bottles of Moet in a bag (so clearly all donated together). Aside from the vvu fact it was Moet who would do this? Surely the money would be better spent on something a bit more useful.

Note this isn't about people in the foodbank having luxuries, it just seems slightly bonkers to me??

OP posts:
PinkHeart5914 · 16/02/2018 15:03

I reckon they got it for Christmas, won’t drink it becuase who actually likes Moët and dumped it in the food bank box

Heismyopendoor · 16/02/2018 15:03

Maybe someone who got it as a gift but didn’t want it? If you’re like me and don’t drink you might have no idea what it’s worth.

The food banks round here though don’t take alcohol.

louiseaaa · 16/02/2018 15:03

I put two bottles of Prosecco in a food bank - I am teetotal and don't have alcohol in the house - these were gifts

EssentialHummus · 16/02/2018 15:03

Possibly someone who was gifted it but doesn’t drink? I don’t think food banks will distribute it anyway.

TravellingFleet · 16/02/2018 15:04

It’ll be someone passing on an unwanted gift - it happens more than you might think. If the same happens as at the bank my friend runs, the food bank will sell it for sticker price to one of the staff members and use the cash to buy staples.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 16/02/2018 15:04

How would the food bank decide who to give it to?? I doubt they'll accept it.

Original poster
Drinaballerina · 16/02/2018 15:05

Doh! That never even occurred to me, just assumed someone had bought it Blush.

OP posts:
LizzieSiddal · 16/02/2018 15:05

I thought you weren’t allowed to put alcohol in there? Confused

TheNecroscope · 16/02/2018 15:05

Yep, we get given umpteen bottles of champagne a year and very rarely drink so have no use of them really. We'd never open a bottle and drink it just the two of us. We usually pass on to friends and family but can easily see how this can happen.

UnimaginativeNameChange1 · 16/02/2018 15:05

A little bit of luxury can have a massive psychological benefit. I remember reading something about Holocaust survivors in Auschwitz coming across crates of lipstick, and though they desperately needed food, clothes and medicine, they also felt that the lipstick somehow gave them some of their personhood back.

Although I'm not sure that the food bank would actually distribute alcohol though.

RunningjustasfastasIcan99 · 16/02/2018 15:05

I did. Before Christmas. I was buying some for me and wanted to treat someone else at Christmas time who couldn't afford to. AIBU?

GinYummy · 16/02/2018 15:05

My local food bank often sells raffle tickets to win hampers with luxury items. I guess that may have been their thought?

BothersomeCrow · 16/02/2018 15:05

I'm sure the food bank charity could contribute it to a raffle or similar fundraiser, or failing that, reward some volunteers?

MyKingdomForBrie · 16/02/2018 15:06

I don’t think they will distribute alcohol so it’s a shame it’s wasted, could have gone to charity raffle etc.

crackerjacket · 16/02/2018 15:08

Kinda highlights the wealth gap really

Jammycustard · 16/02/2018 15:08

Whoever did it was obviously trying to be generous, they probably didn’t realise you can’t donate booze.

I try to put the odd nice bit in to food banks. No reason why not.

LemonysSnicket · 16/02/2018 15:10

So people can have some Valentines fizz?

PinkHeart5914 · 16/02/2018 15:16

It’s fine to put nice bits in a food bank collection but no food bank will give out alcohol

MerryShitmas · 16/02/2018 15:16

Surely everyone deserves a bit of luxury?
Been there, done that. Got a foodbox from a foodbank. It was a shit time. Although 95% of it was useful stuff for meals I did also have some treats.
Iirc it was a packet of cookies, some hot chocolate and those desserts you get that you can microwave (from the cupboard/pantry section.) made me feel a lot better to have those things, too.
I know foodbanks won't hand out booze but I do resent the implication that many give (and your post could be taken that way) that unless the parcel contains nowt but value pasta and beans that it's a "waste".

Mummyoflittledragon · 16/02/2018 15:22

No it couldn’t Merry. Op says the exact opposite in her last line.

AHungryMum · 16/02/2018 15:23

I actually quite like the idea of someone who is really struggling occasionally lucking out at the food bank and picking up something like a bottle of Moët. Might give someone who doesn't have much to smile about a really nice boost. :)

Amber0685 · 16/02/2018 15:24

Someone who doesn't drink. I got free champagne off Ocado and gave it to the driver as I don't drink. Wonder who will end up with it?

UpstartCrow · 16/02/2018 15:25

They cant accept alcohol though.

MerlinsScarf · 16/02/2018 15:26

My thought is also either that it was a gift or someone thinking along the lines of, we can afford to treat ourselves so let's put the same into the food bank to treat someone else too.

There are some knowledgeable posters on here who work in food banks, but there are conflicting opinions circulating on what to donate - whether you add luxury items as a break from the basics, or

MerlinsScarf · 16/02/2018 15:26

Sorry, posted too soon. Or whether the same budget is better spent on quantity.