Travellers foodbank challenge.

[Devilesko]

Posting for traffic and suggestions.

We have started the fb challenge again this year as it's needed more than ever.
We challenge family members to buy an extra weeks worth of food and donate to food banks. Nobody is left out, we all have to rise to the challenge and want to, tbh.

I have posted on dozens of pages asking to remember to include san pro.
If anyone has suggestions that might be forgotten, I'd appreciate the heads up. Also, just to let the people in supermarkets and food banks aware, as this is usually done on such a big scale.

So far I have family in Leicester and Cheshire signing up. But will post other areas as I become aware.
Any suggestions will be very helpful.
Tia.

Answers to General Foodbank Questions For ours at least - check your local one if in doubt.

Alcohol - we err on the side of caution. We don't want to exacerbate a health issue or have to ask about peoples health. We are in a small community and there are some things we don't need to know. If it is donated we keep it for a raffle prizes if we are short of cash.

Coffee Sachets - yes we take them if they have a BBE date on them.

Tuna / sardines/ corned beef / chicken & beef based meat meals in a tin are all good - they have a wider dietary appeal than pork.

We don't give out formula milk and don't have call for newborn nappies because they are sent out from the health organisations where we are.

Toys/ books and stationary - donated to local schools, because we don't have a lot of storage room. Having said that cleaning and sanitary products are welcome.

Whoever suggested cling film & foil. That is a genius idea.

Shampoo, shower gel, roll on deodorant for men & women, tinned meat, tinned spuds, kettle meals, instant mash, biscuits, cappuccino sachets ( no need for milk), toothpaste, toothbrushes, cereal and cereal bars. Hot dogs. Ketchup. Tinned ravioli/ mac cheese/ chilli/ stew.

Lovely idea.
Your post was perfectly clear, OP. Some people on here just want to look superior. Ignore it.

We do Multi Vits, but not pharmaceuticals.

Thanks for the reply @Freezerbird

Good for you OP! Didn't understand what you meant at first, but it's a great challenge, certainly better than the usual crap challenges, bucket of water over your head anyone?
Batteries? Normal medication we keep in our drawers, plasters. Matches. Washing up liquid and the likes.

@Unescorted

We do Multi Vits, but not pharmaceuticals.

Thanks @Unescorted. I think I'll make some of those my donation. Kiddie ones and adult ones.

"I sometimes buy a supermarket gift card and drop it off at a food bank, that way the food banks can buy what they need, and it's easier for them than handling cash."

I think they'd prefer cash. There are ways online to just donate by text, easier for you too.

"Whoever suggested cling film & foil. That is a genius idea."

@Unescorted that was me. I am the genius takes big bow

At my naice infant school in the Sheffield suburbs in the 80s I remember some gypsy kids attending for a term or two and they blew my mind! The beautiful hairstyles, 2 piercings in each ear (!) Gold Creole earrings and exotic names (we were all named from the 80s pool of 7 girls names and 7 boys names respectively).

I never got over that admiration and fascination and wear my two pairs of gold creole earrings permanently to this day. Fuck 'em OP.

To the wonderful food bank volunteer/staff member who posted about the big box of individually wrapped loo rolls, the company's name is Who Gives a Crap, not Don't give a Shit but thank you so much for the belly laughs that gave me 🤣

I would suggest that food you can eat cold out of the tin is a good idea eg Corned beef, tuna, kidney beans in water, tinned potato salad. Then even if people can’t afford gas or electricity they still have something to eat. I’ve heard baby formula is a good idea, and baby food. Also things like body lotion, hand cream etc. You don’t stop getting dry skin just cos you’re broke. And definitely toothpaste and toothbrushes, both relatively expensive things, and dental floss too. Anything that helps you look after yourself and make you feel a bit better in yourself.

I always put a tin of Sainsbury's bolognese in (among other things) because when I was really struggling many years ago it was ny favourite treat comfort meal with some cheap pasta and a bit of cheddar if i could afford it.

Not really a necessity but in the run up to Christmas we also ask for donations of Christmas cakes, Christmas puddings and mince pies. One of our regulars also brings in a big bag of selection boxes, really nice biscuits and boxes of choclates. As I say, not the necessities of life but nice little treats for people who may not otherwise get them. Please check the use by dates on them though.

I've heard of this traveller foodbank challenge. Well done to that community- but whilst I understood your post I think some could easily have misread it.

Anyways to answer your question- I think any form of personal hygiene products are always welcome as if people haven;t got money for food then unlikely to have extra for toothpaste san pro etc.

Also, as mentioned above larger size nappies. I would also say follow on formula milk

herja
I didn't mean to ignore your post, but mine always end up about racism, whatever the original topic. I Just wanted to say you were not alone my love and it continues today, unfortunately.

These are brilliant suggestions and I'm getting thank you from several groups.
Just to be clear, I'm a member of several fb groups dedicated to Romany ancestry, we do discuss other things and obviously there are people from all over the world, so a great place for me to get everyone together. I didn't want anyone to think this was some sort of weird cult, as a side to being Romany

@saraclara

I wonder if foodbanks would accept Multivitamins?

Most cannot distribute fresh food, so those in receipt of their boxes could well be a bit deficient in some vitamins etc. I'm supporting a pregnant woman who is reliant on her local foodbank at the moment. She's really worried about nutrition for her developing baby. I expect some destitute parents are worrying about their own kids' diets.

My local foodbank works with local pharmacies to distribute specific brands of folic acid / pregnancy / kids vitamins. You can donate towards it, recipients need to show a red book / letter from the midwife or gp and the pharmacy delivers. There’s a really good local vitamin D drive going on with the same pharmacy knocking on doors to hand out info packs that include face masks / sanitiser / a month’s supply of vitamin d.

Thanks again to those volunteers and those in the know giving us tips, and to those interested in giving. It restores one's faith in humankind.
I think this country has lacked community duty in recent decades, it's lovely to see people coming together to help others.

Funny how some mums net threads are full of people who say they earn over 100k and this one is full of people who say they couldn't afford an extra food shop at xmas? Perhaps both types of threads prompt people in those positions to reply?

Lot's of people have had their incomes destroyed by covid. My income has not been affected and thank you OP for the timely reminder to have an (early) xmas splurge for the food bank.

I am not a high earner, I drive an old car, shop and dress cheaply and service debts. I can afford to remember the food bank at xmas.

Winter

I wouldn't mind but some of those donating aren't very rich themselves, some having been in need themselves.
I've seen a cousin who escaped domestic violence, had to move to another country with nothing. Her trolley was full today, I wept. Of course she wouldn't do it if she couldn't afford it, or maybe give less. She wanted to do it out of duty and respect for those who helped her.

I just don't want people to think it's only rich people. I'll see if somebody will give me permission to post their shop, as I think many would be surprised.

I think if you’ve ever been broke, you don’t forget how it feels. Been there myself.

Op I replied earlier and I hadn't really understood what your post was about, I thought you were asking us to do the same.
I think what you do is lovely, and the food banks and the people who get food from them will be so grateful!

OP isn’t requiring, or even asking, everyone here to donate a week’s worth of shopping. I’m sure she understands that some people -travellers or not - can afford to do this, and others - travellers or not - cannot. Her post was asking for suggestions for items (such as sanpro) which are sometimes forgotten. Surely we can all give our suggestions, then help out food banks as we are able; it’s not a competition and however much each of us gives to food banks is appreciated although it shouldn’t be needed 😔

Ah I remember this from before. Lovely thing to do op and ops community.

I’ve not read the entire thread but I know our local one loves donations of advent calendars and small selection boxes for the children who are needing food banks at this time of year.

Good idea OP!
I understand why you mentioned you are a traveller because it explains how the logistics will work, I can imagine you will definitely need to let them know a huge donation is coming!

Yes to sanpro.
Maybe fancy baby items, e.g. I find avenoo bum cream is superior to sudocreme but ££ so will be nice for the baby to have some good quality items. I tend to put in stuff like avenoo baby wash,

Just a thought here, what about lightbulbs as well? I saw someone up thread mention bin bags and so on, and it occurred to me that bulbs may be needed too.