People buying for donations to Ukraine

[Cloudyvintage]

So it's apparent that the UK public have apparently (out of kindness) been out buying baby milk, nappies etc to be sent off to Ukraine. This is very thoughtful, however, it has meant that there has now a shortage on the shelves in the supermarkets leaving some parents struggling to find milk for their baby as its sold out.

There is so much in the media where it is clearly stated that many donations are not getting through customs and that its cash they need so that they can organise propper Aid in bulk where its needed.

I'm not saying we shouldn't donate items, especially if you have the items spare or can't give money then fine, but it seems so much is getting stuck in Dover or other EU borders on route. Surley monetary donations are better than buying goods at our UK inflated price to then send over.

Another example, a lot of items collected has been dumped at a 'collection site', but it's then never been collected (presumably due to too many dontaions) so it's just sat there going to waste.

I'm in a position where somone is collecting items and I feel obliged to donate but I'd have to go out and buy items to donate, I have also made monetary donations and will continue to do so.

I think people have been very well meaning with clothing donations etc but I see that it’s hard to actually get them to where they need to be and money on the ground is better

I am a bit dubious that people are buying so many nappies and formula that there is a shortage of it in the UK now, do you have a link for that? I can’t find anything on Google

Sadly people often do what they think will make them feel better rather than thinking about what is actually the best solution or the impact on others. Charities have been saying since near the start that monetary donations are preferable, yet still people keep buying stuff and people commiting to driving it over without thinking of the logistics.

A friend of mine worked with a charity which distributed donated items to people in crisis. She told me that one of the things they were desperate for was men's clothing and care products. Sadly they were faced with tonnes of baby and toddler things, plus a bit of women's items, that they couldn't do anything with. These things often go to waste while the less heartstring-pulling demographics (usually older people, esp. men) go without.

Another poster was right - people donate what makes them feel better before researching or simply asking what charities on the front lines are looking for.

I know there is a shortage of premade Milk as I have struggled to purchase it. A Health Visitor stated its being voiced by alot of parents trying to get it over the past week and they can not.

@Cloudyvintage

I know there is a shortage of premade Milk as I have struggled to purchase it. A Health Visitor stated its being voiced by alot of parents trying to get it over the past week and they can not.

And they / you know that’s due to people buying it for Ukraine?

Apparently so that's what I'm being told. In addition all the local collectors are stating no clothes only items like this Baby wipes nappies Toiletries etc

@rainbowmash

A friend of mine worked with a charity which distributed donated items to people in crisis. She told me that one of the things they were desperate for was men's clothing and care products. Sadly they were faced with tonnes of baby and toddler things, plus a bit of women's items, that they couldn't do anything with. These things often go to waste while the less heartstring-pulling demographics (usually older people, esp. men) go without.

Another poster was right - people donate what makes them feel better before researching or simply asking what charities on the front lines are looking for.

This is sad to hear but as you have pointed it out it doesn't surprise me. Women and children do generally have a surplus of clothes and I suppose men don't change their wardrobe so frequently so have less to give perhaps.

My 2 oldest children both attend different schools end on Friday it's own clothes day- one has to take nappy's, pacer of soups, rice or pasta an my other is tooth brushes, tooth paste an socks ?

It's crazy isn't it, I volunteer at a local night shelter and we have had loads of items given to us as they have been bought, with all good intentions, for 'Ukraine' but they are just not suitable or it is not logistically possible to deliver them. So much better to give financial support.

@Ragwort

It's crazy isn't it, I volunteer at a local night shelter and we have had loads of items given to us as they have been bought, with all good intentions, for 'Ukraine' but they are just not suitable or it is not logistically possible to deliver them. So much better to give financial support.

It's reassuring to hear not all of it is going to waste. So many worthwhile charities could make good use of it food banks etc. I hope all of the other donations get into the right hands somewhere they are needed.

This is one way to donate.

I've just donated cash. My work are matching all donations made in March and they've already donated 100k from the company. Seemed the best way as it's doubling the amount I donate

@AppleNo8

This is one way to donate.

This is a lovely idea in principle but open to scam artists I'd not be surprised if this was a scammer trying to promote and make money. There have been alot of warnings about donating through un official sources.

@pawpaws2022

I've just donated cash. My work are matching all donations made in March and they've already donated 100k from the company. Seemed the best way as it's doubling the amount I donate

Wow 100k thats really amazing, well done to everyone you work with that will make so much difference to so many lives.

@Cloudyvintage that was just the company donation
The employee donations are at 15k so far so that's at least another 30k

[quote pawpaws2022]@Cloudyvintage that was just the company donation
The employee donations are at 15k so far so that's at least another 30k [/quote]
That's even better, every penny counts and that's hard earned money given with kindness.

I've donated financially but school are working with an organisation asking for very specific items and my children are keen to do something tangible to help so we did buy some things off the list including nappies. I didn't realise there was a UK shortage and will look in to this as will donate the other bits and take nappies to food bank instead if this is true.

@sunflowerdaisyrose

I've donated financially but school are working with an organisation asking for very specific items and my children are keen to do something tangible to help so we did buy some things off the list including nappies. I didn't realise there was a UK shortage and will look in to this as will donate the other bits and take nappies to food bank instead if this is true.

The supermarkets may have stock in warehouses but they have to get that to the shops, then people buy more to donate etc. If everyone buys something then stocks will run low and then its difficult. We went to 4 supermarkets yesterday to get Milk, none of which had any fortunately we were able to buy some at a petrol station but they only had a couple left.

I'm not sating there is a desperate UK shortage but this extra buying will cause problems up the supply chain same with any panic buying.

A cash donation will go a very long way to the the right places quickly.

@sunflowerdaisyrose

I've donated financially but school are working with an organisation asking for very specific items and my children are keen to do something tangible to help so we did buy some things off the list including nappies. I didn't realise there was a UK shortage and will look in to this as will donate the other bits and take nappies to food bank instead if this is true.

What organisation is that? Because everything I have read is about begging people not to donate tangible goods. Definitely not nappies. Money only.

I have to bite my tongue when people start talking about donating nappies etc.

Just donate cold hard cash to one of the appeals by the Red Cross, Oxfam, UNICEF, Save the children.

I though the issue is the sheer waste of money. Why buy nappies in the U.K. when they can be bought at a fraction of the price abroad? And the cost of shipping them over. And storing them and packing them both in the uk and at the other end. Plus customs logistics at the border. Etc.

The logistics of buying things here and driving it to Poland or Ukraine is crazy.

All this collection rubbish angers me.

People are doing it to make themselves feel better. So called organisations are popping up left right and centre claiming to have contacts on the front line with lists. I expect 90 percent of these donations will have to be disposed of.

Money helps. Tat doesn't.

And don't even get me started on the utter stupidity of donating formula milk at times like these! It's dangerous and unhelpful. Donate it to UK organisations if you must and give money you used to.vuy the formula to charities who can distribute it appropriately and safely!

Also worrying all this demand donation is impacting local supplies.

@Shipoftheseus our area is twinned with a town in Poland and the twinning society is working with an organisation locally there to get some very specific items to them. Nappies was one of the items, milk, food and clothes aren't on there.

Yanbu at all, a local group arranged for people to donate items and leave it outside sainburys.
The amount of absolute crap people were Palming off on them was terrible. Baby Walkers and baby gyms. Seriously people need to get rid of their own tat.
They are now on face book desperate for people to come and help sort all this stuff out.