to expect people not to give ridiculous items to food bank...

[MariaAngustias]

I volunteer at a food bank. Everything is weighed in then weighed out for audit purposes. Whilst there are many lovely and generous people who donate to use there are some people who give such odd and weird things - out of date food, opened packets, packs of hair dye (yep, few of these at moment), medication ... and obviously this stuff cannot be given out but it has to be sorted, weighed and then disposed of. Why?!

@PrelovedWithValue

My local food bank has a table with things like that (not opened food, but out of date food, specialised food, toiletries including hair dye) that people coming to the food bank can take in addition to their food parcel, if they want it.

Could you offer something like that?

This makes the most sense!

I’d never dream of putting out of date food, opened goods of any sort, medicines or hair dye in. I thought it was just common sense not to put these things in.

I will put in deodorant, soap, shampoos, toothpaste, tooth brushed, sanitary products though.

YABU - I think many people would love to get hair dye - of course you can't/shouldn't include it as part of a pre-made parcel, but why not, as a PP suggested - put these types of items out on a help yourself type table? I often give away things like hair dye on apps like Olio, Trash Nothing, Freecycle and Freegle and they are requested usually within minutes. Also, Olio will list out of date food, and opened food and it almost always is gratefully requested and collected!

Our food bank has a "weird and wonderful" table which includes hotel branded toiletries in bags, hair dye, makeup, moisturiser, school supplies, baby accessories etc that aren't food or essential toiletries but are useful. People can take up to 3 things.

Open products are difficult because actually some people could make use of them, where safe to do so, we put them in the "help yourself" bin. I actually donated an almost full large package of tampons (taped up) myself last week because I no longer require them but obviously didn't know it was my last month until it happened, a lady grabbed them straight away. Most people wouldn't want these things put in the rubbish.

Local fb Freecycle is the place for unused hair dye/half used packs of nappies etc.
Indeed I did food collection at my employer (300 staff) and had to issue reminders about out of date stuff.

Having grown up poor we ate out of date food. Things like yoghurt and cheese is still good for 2-3 weeks after the use by date (we used to pick the mould off, still do), dates on packaged fruit and veg are useless - so why can’t these be offered to those who want them?

I still don't understand why people think hair dye is so unreasonable?

Are people really suggesting because they personally need 2 boxes of red dye that a food bank shouldn't take one box of brown even though plenty of people would be happy to have it?

I like the "odds and sods" table idea though!

@GrumpyHoonMain

Having grown up poor we ate out of date food. Things like yoghurt and cheese is still good for 2-3 weeks after the use by date (we used to pick the mould off, still do), dates on packaged fruit and veg are useless - so why can’t these be offered to those who want them?

Elf and safety?

I also eat loads of out of date food but wouldn’t give it to a food bank.

@HeartsAndClubs

Also think about the message that giving out of date food sends.

It essentially says “I’ve got this stuff in my cupboard and I don’t want it because it’s out of date, so let’s give it to the food bank, they’ll be grateful.”

Not necessarily no.

I have some food in that I have to remember to donate before it goes out of date, even though I'd happily eat it out of date if I could eat it.

Usually end up giving it to friends who don't care about daft 'best before' dates, so it doesn't get wasted, but it also doesn't go to people who might be more 'in need' of a bit of help than others.

I'd happily put it on a separate table. Along with other things people might like, but Food Bank doesn't take. Such as moisturiser/hand soap/laundry products I have opened, but can't use due to the fragrance. Instead again, I give them to friends.

I have bought a couple of boxes of hair dye in a charity shop, but I suppose food banks have to go by their rules,for safety reasons etc,

But there are always going to be people who will dump some inappropriate food stuffs,and not check dates and the condition of packets and tins etc.

@luxxlisbon

I still don't understand why people think hair dye is so unreasonable?

Are people really suggesting because they personally need 2 boxes of red dye that a food bank shouldn't take one box of brown even though plenty of people would be happy to have it?

No, just that it’s hard to match up the person who wants it, with it.

There's nothing wrong with donating beauty products. It could give a woman a real boost to be able to dye her hair or use a face mask or whatever... the food bank equivalent of the MN spa day.

Out of date food isn't on though.

I'm surprised and disappointed that food banks don't pass on unopened packs of hair dye. I understand that you can't pop it in a box unrequested, but you could tell people to help themselves to a shelf of it. It isn't cheap, at £5+ per packet. Women experiencing financial hardship should be able to self-care. I hope that food banks review that policy asap.

I once had a call from a farm offering a load of pheasant for the foodbank as they had shot more than they could eat.

I always buy nappies forthem

Out of date food is a bit snide but why can't you give out hair dye?

Could people who work/volunteer in a food bank let me know if they accept soap powder please?
If given a jumbo box would they weigh out and bag it to give some to lots of people or prefer a few small boxes to give out?
Thanks

People should really check the dates although with cans they last a long time and so some might forget to check.

I also agree with others that unopened hair dye might be a nice thing to someone who is poor. I have a box I got ages ago but haven't used.

Why not hair dye, that sounds helpful ?

I understand not open things

@MariaAngustias but why is it a step too far?

I often donate in the local supermarkets. I often buy things like sanitary products and nappies which I'm sure are needed in the same way as toilet roll and shower gel are. These aren't things I'd buy for myself though, I don't have children and as I'm post hysterectomy wont have them, or periods for that matter!

Personally I would always give something different when donating rather than the standard pasta and baked beans. I don't think hair dye is that out there.

Can I ask why the trussell trust won't take baby formula?

@skirk64

People probably think that out of date food is fine to give because best before dates are just that, food is still safe to use afterwards but might not be at its peak.

Also hair dye seems no more inappropriate than giving sanitary towels or shampoo. Or do food banks strictly take food only? (Genuinely don't know, I don't give to them because I don't agree that people should have to rely on them.)

People NEED sanitary towels and shampoo. Hair dye isn't a necessity.