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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about donating to foodbanks?

104 replies

KatieGoesKaboom · 13/12/2019 18:00

If I've got a spare fiver am I better going to Asda and buying £5 worth of whatever I think the foodbank might need and putting in the donation trolley, or am I better just finding the foodbank website, like this one warrington.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/ and donating the money?

It seems to me that they could probably buy more food (and exactly what they need) with our money than we can, and they probably need money to run the places anyway.

Is money better than a food donation?

OP posts:
Original poster
KatieGoesKaboom · 13/12/2019 18:00

Didn't mean to add the poll. Blush

OP posts:
Doingitaloneandproud · 13/12/2019 18:01

Any donation is good, if you would donate items then hygiene products are always needed. A lot of food banks have a lot of food but hygiene/sanitary products are overlooked
Very good of you to donate Smile

MadameButterfingers · 13/12/2019 18:02

Probably. The thing with donating food is that a more people can afford to put an extra tin or packet in the trolley than donate a set amount.

FreedomfromPE · 13/12/2019 18:03

I often give a cash donation to ours as there are often not enough of certain items (but it changes) and they can then buy bulk OR if something very specific might be useful for a particular client.

Slightaggrandising · 13/12/2019 18:03

I donate money as I very rarely cook for myself and I don't know what cooking facilities people might have. I see the trolley full of pasta and beans and I hope that the food bank can add some variety to that with the donation.

TolstoyAteMyHamster · 13/12/2019 18:04

If you are going to buy and put in the box, do check the website to see what they are short of. We never have enough UHT milk or tinned fish but have so many baked beans and bags of pasta we are always taking them over to another one nearby that never seems to get given these items in sufficient quantities.

marchingonwithmother · 13/12/2019 18:04

Ours are short on size 5 and 6 nappies if you are buying. Everyone buys newborn

bridgetreilly · 13/12/2019 18:04

Check with the actual foodbank. Some do prefer cash and use it to buy in bulk and get better deals, but many are not set up to be able to process monetary donations. Give them a ring, ask what they prefer, and if they want you to buy, ask what they really need at the moment.

Heismyopendoor · 13/12/2019 18:05

Our local one says they use the money for storage and other running costs, as well as buying any supplies they need.

They also have a thing on their Facebook stating what they are in need of which is handy to know what to get :)

BackforGood · 13/12/2019 18:05

Direct money is good - as you say they can buy what is needed then and 'fill the gaps'. No risk of produce going off either.
The BEST thing is if people can set up a Standing order - even if it is a fiver a month - means it just goes out consistently then, without anyone having to remember, or (like on the other thread) they don't have to be trying to count what they've spent to keep under their card limit or whatever.

TheGlaikitRambler · 13/12/2019 18:06

Either is very much appreciated.

Original poster
KatieGoesKaboom · 13/12/2019 18:07

I was putting an extra tenner on the lottery because I felt down today, then I decided it would make me happier to donate it, under the circumstances.

For some reason I'd never thought of donating money to them, just food. It just occurred to me that actual money to buy food might be more use than donating food?

Obviously donating one of your '2 for 1' deals on the way out of the shop is another matter. Grin

OP posts:
ethelfleda · 13/12/2019 18:08

I’m glad you started this OP as I want to donate too. Place marking.

HideYourBabiesAndYourBeadwork · 13/12/2019 18:09

Either will be much appreciated but if you do buy items in the Asda check the trolley before you choose stuff because sometimes they have a list of urgently needed things and a list of things they really don’t need. For example, my local one was short of tinned meat/fish and deodorant last time I donated but begged people not to give them pasta or baked beans as they had so much of those already.

Original poster
KatieGoesKaboom · 13/12/2019 18:12

The BEST thing is if people can set up a Standing order - even if it is a fiver a month

I'm planning on setting one up 'from my grandchildren' as part of their Christmas present. Not as interesting as a cuddly snow leopard or an African goat but I think they'll get it.

OP posts:
coconuttelegraph · 13/12/2019 18:12

I'd speak to the actual foodbank, I've seen my local one asking for specific items sometimes. Better to get them what they need than guessing imo

CreaturesVeiledByNight · 13/12/2019 18:14

If you want to donate food instead of money you could download the foodbank app. It shows foodbanks in your local area and they keep it updated with what is needed and what they have plenty of, so you know what to donate.

Original poster
KatieGoesKaboom · 13/12/2019 18:16

Maybe anyone reading who's thinking about an expensive takeaway tonight (and still got something spare after tipping the driver) could find their local foodbank website and donate a fiver? Rather than buying extra garlic bread?

Maybe somebody could get into the food delivery chains to offer an option to 'round up' the bill for a foodbank donation? Or has someone done that? I don't use these apps - do they do that?

OP posts:
Parker231 · 13/12/2019 18:17

I check on the website for our local foodbank so I’m donating what they are short of - last week it was long life milk, cat food and tinned vegetables.

Parker231 · 13/12/2019 18:19

This is what my local foodbank is asking for

URGENTLY NEEDED FOOD ITEMS

TINNED FRUIT
RICE PUDDING
LONG LIFE ORANGE JUICE
LONG LIFE MILK
TINNED TOMATOES
PET FOOD (CAT AND DOG)

WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF

BEANS
TEA
CORDIAL

Sparklesocks · 13/12/2019 18:20

As others say it depends on the food bank and what they need, best to ask if you can. Some will have lists of food items they desperately need and others may be crowdfunding for their Xmas campaign. It’s a terrible shame we need food banks in 2019 but it’s wonderful people want to help.

ForeverBubblegum · 13/12/2019 18:22

Sorry for a slight derail but another food bank question. If I donate food and have a set budget, should I go for quantity or quality?

Eg. Would it be better to give 4 tins of Hines soup or 8+ tins of supermarket own brand? I don't want to offend people, or imply there not worth nicer food, but at the same time more food will help more people.

NoSquirrels · 13/12/2019 18:24

If you want to donate food instead of money you could download the foodbank app. It shows foodbanks in your local area and they keep it updated with what is needed and what they have plenty of, so you know what to donate.

A word of caution on the Foodbank app - it is free to download but charges the food banks a lot to be featured. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Seems like profiting off the places that can least afford it.

Original poster
KatieGoesKaboom · 13/12/2019 18:25

Maybe somebody could get into the food delivery chains to offer an option to 'round up' the bill for a foodbank donation? Or has someone done that? I don't use these apps - do they do that?

Does Just Eat (or whoever) do this? And if not, why not?

Who would begrudge rounding their £23.99 pizza deal up to £25 if the balance automatically went to the nearest foodbank? And they know where you are so the funds could go to the nearest scheme.

One of them must be doing that mustn't they?

OP posts:
MojoMoon · 13/12/2019 18:27

www.bankuet.co.uk/

These guys facilitate food banks providing a list of what they need so if you donate online you are buying exactly what they asked for