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.

At the foodbank I volunteer at, if we receive donations which aren’t on our lists, we place them on a table and people can help themselves- this includes things like salt, pepper and other condiments.

Again. Salt and pepper just wouldn't cross my mind.

Thanks everyone! Will make sure it has english labels if I get anything "foreign"😁

Shame big packs can't be split into small ones. Where I shop they have a lovely rice but it's in the GIANT bag. Very good value.

Year please check with your local FB, different FBs have different requirements. As many of us who volunteer with FBs are aware, we can get overwhelmed with various items especially pasta. Cleaning products might be useful, but it depends on what your local FB needs.

And I agree with a PP there's only so many packets of pasta you can offer someone.... we put pasta in every pack we give out, usually two different sorts, we have a table full of pasta for people to 'help themselves' and we are still drowning in it.

It's also worth checking with your local FB before making a Christmas donation.... I appreciate people want to be generous at this time of year but again, we get overwhelmed.... last year we received about three times as many Advent Calendars as we could realistically give out ... and we were still overstocked with mince pies at the end of January. Many FBs have very limited storage. Yet by mid-end February the FBs tend to be forgotten so why not wait until then to donate?

At our foodbank we don’t need more advent calendars but need tinned fish and tinned fruit. As the previous poster has said, please check the website as to what is needed.

@Devilesko

Aw, I have a thick skin, you need to have

I can't thank you enough for the suggestions, I just usually do food to be on the safe side.
FWIW I do see the point that others can't afford to do this, but isn't it good that the whole community are doing this.
There are hundreds of us in one extended family and we consider all other Romany (in my case) to be family.
It may be hard for some to see, but it's a mass donation that travellers do.
For all our faults we have a huge sense of charity giving, and see it as duty.
I don't need thanks, honestly. Many people donate to food banks it's not just the travelling community. We just do it on mass around xmas time. It's a huge event for us and we post our picture with our stash once we've done it.

So you do this once a year and post pictures of your stash on Facebook and it’s not a stealth boost? Ok then

Do you not think people need food banks at all times during the year? Maybe as you have such a big community it would be a better idea to spread your support across the year rather than just one month. Food banks I support always note that they face a lot of shortages in the first few months of year.

I think all Morrisons store are doing the paper carrier at the door, it is just that there are so many other cages, offers, barriers and we tend to be avoiding trolleys so miss the cage of carriers. I've now not seen it three time on entry but always on exit. I buy for our village larder.

So you do this once a year and post pictures of your stash on Facebook and it’s not a stealth boost? Ok then

It's not a stealth boast when you share it with others who did the same. Nothing is stopping you to organise something like this instead of being shitty here, you know.

I remember the travelling community doing this before and it is gratefully received, especially when food banks are so busy, thank you!

Each food bank will have particularly items they are low on - ours for example is always is low on shampoo, deodorant, tinned meat, and cartons of fruit juice. It doesn't matter if you give us items we have a lot of though as we share amongst the group if we are overstocked.

Again thank you, and thank you for the heads up!

So you do this once a year and post pictures of your stash on Facebook and it’s not a stealth boost? Ok then

People are determined to find fault aren't they?

Do you not think people need food banks at all times during the year? Maybe as you have such a big community it would be a better idea to spread your support across the year rather than just one month. Food banks I support always note that they face a lot of shortages in the first few months of year

You're criticising the timing, really? What's stopping you organising a simpler event and cover the beginning of the year?

There are some right dickish posts on this thread. Some of you really need to get laid more.

@SchrodingersImmigrant

So you do this once a year and post pictures of your stash on Facebook and it’s not a stealth boost? Ok then

It's not a stealth boast when you share it with others who did the same. Nothing is stopping you to organise something like this instead of being shitty here, you know.

And how do you know I don’t? I just don’t think posting pictures is necessary but each to their own

I had no idea about this and what a lovely thing to do. Thank you for sharing op. I know very little about traveller communities but the one thing I know now is that you are amazingly thoughtful and generous.

I think it's a really lovely idea, well done. You might get more on board suggesting people buy an extra day rather than a week's worth though as some people won't be able to afford a double whole shop, especially just at the moment.

So you do this once a year and post pictures of your stash on Facebook and it’s not a stealth boost? Ok then Mmmm! The outrage in this one is indeed string!

Do you not think people need food banks at all times during the year? Maybe as you have such a big community it would be a better idea to spread your support across the year rather than just one month. Food banks I support always note that they face a lot of shortages in the first few months of year. Well, as a worker in a food bank that gets seasonal support form the local traveller community I don't have a problem with it. They offer, we accept.

Many people only donate at Christmas. We just shuffle the stuff with the longest use by date to the back of the shelves and crack on.

Much of the stuff donated is not going to be part of our core offereing - as many of the lovely ideas on this thread will not be. This makes a lot more work for us, but we just sort through it all, make decisions about how to give it away and put some of it in the Help Yourself Shelf - tin foil etc would go here as so many clients don't have any safe storage areas.

Please don't be annoyed at the generosity of others. Leave that to us professionals

OP

If I understand you correctly you are looking for ideas to give to a food bank.

What about some less traditional food? Akee, salt fish, spices, Punjabi tinder?

When ever I see things for food banks it seems to be pasta and beans which are fine as staples but food bank users are from all heritages and may appreciate something less traditional.

Also if this is a year round challenge then there are a lot of non Christian festivals, Diwali, Eid, Luna New year etc. Diwali is in 2 weeks.

Things like shabbat candles and incense could also be appreciated.

Obviously it depends on where the foodbank is located

Foodbanks have worked with nutritionists to make sure that the food parcels supplied by food banks contain at least three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced meals for individuals and families. These emergency food parcels are not designed to meet long-term need – that’s why food banks also offer additional support like debt advice where possible.

A typical food parcel includes:

Cereal
Soup
Pasta
Rice
Tinned tomatoes/ pasta sauce
Lentils, beans and pulses
Tinned meat
Tinned vegetables
Tea/coffee
Tinned fruit
Biscuits
UHT milk
Fruit juice
Food banks will also provide essential non-food items like toiletries and hygiene products where they can.

Dietary requirements

When visiting a food bank centre, one of the volunteers will run through the food parcel packing list with you to check any special dietary requirements that you may have.

@AlwaysLatte

I think it's a really lovely idea, well done. You might get more on board suggesting people buy an extra day rather than a week's worth though as some people won't be able to afford a double whole shop, especially just at the moment.

The OP isn't trying to get people on board, just asking for ideas for things to donate - it's an annual challenge within the traveller community

Rather than come up with ideas, why not check what the different foodbanks actually need. They know their current shortages and what is needed.

feedingfamilies.org.uk/give

For anyone in the North East who wants to do something a little different along this theme, but there is a charity called Feeding Families which matches a family/person in need to someone wanting to provide a hamper for Christmas. You need to stick to the list and because you deliver it directly to the family just before Christmas, you include items such as meat and fresh vegetables as well as mince pies, chocolate and the usual food bank items such as pasta and tinned fruit, vegetables and meat.

There is also warnings not to give alcohol (because it might go to a family where alcoholism or violence from drinking is a problem), money, tobacco, toys or items not on the list.

I have been matched to a local family and am quite excited trying to work out how large a packet of items I can get away with and what I can get in advance.

Parker

I have suggested this, a few already did this, but others hadn't thought, including me
It's lovely that so many people have offered suggestions.
This thread came about because many months ago, perhaps last year I saw a thread where volunteers were being very helpful, but also discussing issues.
By posting I thought I could go between the thread and my fb and offer tips and suggestions.

That's a really kind thing to do. Personally I can't afford to double my food bill every week but have been getting a few extra bits every week.

Squirrelfriends

Tbh, so many are nominated more than once that you need to post a pic to show you've done it, but it does motivate others you nominate to do it.
It's lovely that you give at all, I know many can't afford to give much.
As I said upthread my family were bailing me out with my donation, it's fine though now as my dh has a new contract that means I can do my own.

Our foodbank knows that Christmas is the season of goodwill and that donations will go up. That's partly why we do massive drives like reverse advent calendars and handing out flyers in the supermarket.

But we then check the dates and put some bits away for January where we'll get fewer donations. Pasta, beans, san pro will last a really long time!

It would be really nice if people did support us all year round, but we only accept longer life goods so it's not as important.

@yearinyearout

What about things like cleaning products, washing powder etc? They can be expensive and are necessary items.

We have other ways of getting those (like through the Hygiene Bank, which is actually my main role) so they're not as important. If you are doing something like this where you're giving a large donation then definitely include them if you can, but if you're only able to give one or two items then a tin of meat or fish etc would be more beneficial

Devilesko thankyou to you and yours for what your doing.

I'm a Gypsy and we've all been raised the same as you and yours that looking out for those around you is very very important,I'm sorry for the bloody racism you've faced on here I've faced it on here in the past because I'd said I'm a Gypsy.

Things for a foodbank
Cereals
Tinned beans/tinned spaghetti.
Tinned Vegetables
Tinned Potatoes
Tinned pies.
Tinned fish,mainly tuna I'd say but different places will appreciate others types of tinned fish as well
Tinned meat
Soup,tins and packets because some families don't have cookers or can't afford the gas or electric to run them so rely on kettles alot.
Noodles and rice,the same as above I'd buy some larger packets but also stick in the more instant one's for families that only have the use of kettles and microwaves.
Dried milk and UHT milk.
Part baked baguettes and rolls,these usually have along life on them so you don't have the risk of them going off as you would with loaves of bread.
Squash
Fruit Juice
Tea and Coffee
Suger
Hot Chocolate(the kind that just needs hot water added to it)it's a nice treat for adults and children,that means nothing much to those that don't need a foodbank but for those that do it can mean so much.

Biscuit Bars and packets of biscuits again something lots of people see as a normal part of they're weekly shop but would count as a real treat for alot of other families.

The same goes for Crisps and for tinned puddings,jelly,tinned fruit,custard ect

Things people don't always think of but can help turn seperate tins into a real meal
Gravy
Salt and Pepper
Vinegar
Cooking oil
Mayo
tomatoe sauce
Cooking sauces in jars and packets
Jams,marmalade,marmite.

Toiletries and Cleaning stuffs
Toothpaste,adults and children's
Mouthwash
Toothbrushes for adults and children
Soap
Shower gel
Bubble bath
Shampoo
Conditioner
Shaving foam
Razors(if they'll accept them)
Deodrants roll ons and sprays

Toilet rolls
kitchen towels
Washing up liquid
Washing powder and washing liquid
Bleach
Bathroom and kitchen cleaners.

Nearer to Christmas we usually send in Advent calendars,Tins of Biscuits,Crackers(the kind you eat and the kind you pull)packets of sweets,small items that can be given to familys as gifts,such as books,colouring sets,nicer toiletries any small items that are more of a treat.

Good Luck with it all.

Do you know what, even if it was a boast I’d say fair enough. There’s nothing wrong with pride in trying to do good.
If I can find it myself to be gracious sponsoring the bloody ‘I’m having fun and want an experience’ lot (running/ tough mud/ parachuting etc) I can easily be gracious saying well done to a Facebook post that gives the entirety of a personal donation to others!