To remind people that food banks need donations

[LemonViolet]

I just saw a segment on the BBC news about food banks experiencing supply shortages. Which makes sense, given the cost of living crisis. They have more people needing the service and less people donating as everyone is tightening their belts.

I am a sporadic food bank donator. It just doesn’t occur to me that often as I don’t go into supermarkets and see the visual reminder of the collection station. But I am lucky enough that I can still afford to donate. I’ve just looked up my local food bank and they have about a third of their list of requested items marked in red as low or out of stock.

So I’m going to do my good turn today, pop to the supermarket, and drop a shop up to the local collection point tomorrow. And I thought I’d share on here and see if I can spur anyone else to do the same.

If you’re a regular donator then AMAZING
If like me you just donate once in a while then now is the time they need us, if you are able to.
If you haven’t donated before but you can spare a little, then look up your local service and see what they need. They usually have lists and instructions for donations online.

If you’re not able to donate then no guilt trip intended at all. I am worried posting this thread may be taken as being smug or boasting or patronising. I really just want to nudge others like me that can do this but just don’t think to that often.

I’m torn tbh.
I’m a regular food bank contributor. I set up a direct debit during Covid, upped it upon the energy bills etc rising.

But where will it all end?

Costs will keep spiralling, people will keep needing more and more. We’re better off rioting in the streets quite honestly instead of pushing ordinary people to help others.

I feel like a terrible person for saying this but I’ve become more bitter and cynical.

But how do you get a referral? I dont want to make anything "official" or for people to know or for someone to say no! Even more embarrassing.

Most food banks operate on a referral system and their website will have instructions.

And yes, puddings are on the list (tins or packet mixes). Biscuits too! 😱

Guess it saves you a few quid so that's ok then.

@Itsallaboutthebenjamins they won't say no. But unfortunately you won't have much choice but to make things official

They'll ask you a few questions and then refer you

Nobody is going to think badly of you

@lifewithsomeonespecial puddings such as tinned rice pudding or custard that can be eaten cold are filling and easy to store. Also tinned fruit is considered a ‘pudding’ and helps towards the 5 a day.
Biscuits mentioned by a PP would probably be considered a treat item which they do also ask for.

I find what works best is that my local Waitrose has set up a stand at the entrance, manned by one or two volunteers, with a list of what they need that day. I check the list, aim to buy multiples of at least three of the items
At my super Tesco the food bank donation is a large basket at the end - I've already been round the shop, no idea what's needed, and have usually forgotten. If I do remember I just buy a few multiples of what I'm buying for me, but it would remind people to put a list at the entrance (there's plenty of room to do this).
The Waitrose food bank must be pretty immediate as they often ask for fresh food.

The thing about biscuits and tins of pudding is that they are quick, usually need no energy to heat and are very calorific.

I check the BankTheFood app and Facebook page for most needed items at my local food bank. You can also set it to ping you a reminder when you enter a shop.

Just had a look @gillybean2 that app looks fab, unfortunately my local food bank isn’t on it yet.

I think that people who donate to food banks (and volunteer at them, etc) are confronting the fact that people are reliant on charity to eat, and are trying to support them.
i dont. You need time to be able to volunteer, so it is the economically comfortable who do it. It isnt a solution to people constantly living below the breadline, but it does let people feel important and that they are making a difference. It strokes their egos. Like the people who cannot do one ounce of charity without telling people about it. It is all about you, not the people who you're apparently helping.

All food banks do is allow the government to keep certain groups of people completely reliant on others to survive.

i dont actually believe youve ever donated even a tin of beans to a food bank, op, or everyone within a mile of one. Youre just a charity vulture wanting praise for suggesting it.

And they're nice to have? Because poorer people deserve a little something nice too

I always add a little box of chocolates into a food bank, and baby biscuits for toddlers

Another saying NO and I don't need reminding thanks. I have enough of charity muggers stopping me every second in the street as it is. I struggle as a single mum with two kids and work two jobs to buy food and work dam hard to put food on the table without giving it away. I know plenty of others round by me who don't bother and rely on food banks and I will not support them also. Call me harsh or what ever , every one is quite aware and don't need reminding every two minutes. If you do it fine but it does not make you special or virtuous.

Perhaps an unimportant question but is it generally better to target your local foodbank / check their lists of things they need i.e. for those local to your area or does dropping in a few things at the supermarket drop points when you do your shopping work the same? My main supermarket has a big drop off point at the front so I've left a few bits in there as and when but not sure what actually happens when I've done that.

@JackieWeaverHandforthCouncil

Are you actually Jackie Weaver?

It is incredible to me that we got through periods of relative hardship in this country including the industrial issues of the 1970s and the Thatcher years without needing foodbanks (they started in 2000, for anyone interested) They are not normal and should not be normalised. We are a rich (if unequal) society. The emotion they evoke in me is not warm and fuzzy but gut felt anger.

In the meantime, until the glorious day which we seem very slow to bring about, no one wants to think of people being hungry. It is an absolute trap that we are digging ourselves deeper and deeper into. There needs to be a very significant political shift, around pay, around benefits and around the mindset that accepts this injustice.

I no longer give to food banks as apparently the budget ranges and own brand ranges I buy for my own family are not high quality enough to donate (something I learnt from various mumsnet threads). Although I suppose if it were a cause particularly dear to my heart I would be prepared to spend more and wouldn't begrudge it.

Not sure if it’s been said …. But you don’t have to actually GO OUT shopping to go to a food bank and then deliver it ….. you can just add it as an address to you online shop and have it delivered!

15 minutes on a computer and send loads of benefit.
I always try to do around Comice relief, Easter and advent and include red noses for kids to take to school, Easter eggs and advent calendars. & some shops in between.

it’s not only about eating bare essentials, but feeling normal too. …. hence the red noses - if it stops food bank kids being bullied by brats, it’s got to be a good thing.

I’ve heard this too so no I don’t donate, you are apparently only expected to buy branded products!

I’m unconvinced that the existence of food banks is hiding or camouflaging the issue

of coarse it is!

people are hungry and children are going without is a national scandal and shouldn’t be down to local people on minimum wage jobs donating food for the poorest when rich people make billions, which are hidden in tax havens - and whilst doing so ensure there low paid workers are low enough to claim working tax credits, which in turn they buy food for the food bank.

it’s all kinds of wrong.

If the hungry and I mean poorest have children who are hungry and underfed, or would lead to riots, or referrals etc which made lead to change.

Whilst the poor feed the poorest, change won’t happen.

What's all this 'apparently' business?

Does anyone have a link to food banks who are refusing supermarket/value brands?

I mean other than the only link I can find, which is to the Digital Spy chat forum?

Seen it on MN enough to know people are offended by it so I won’t be donating

Righto 🙄🙄

I no longer give to food banks as apparently the budget ranges and own brand ranges I buy for my own family are not high quality enough to donate

Our local foodbank makes the opposite request. It would rather have more donations of cheaper unbranded products than fewer donations of more expensive products.

I also dislike the attitude of turning up your nose at donating puddings or biscuits as if the "poor" should be forced to live off bags of lentils and tinned tomatoes. Many puddings can be eaten without cooking and are pretty filling. Lots of foodbank users have kids and maybe they'd like a biscuit as a treat. If you live in poverty your life is probably pretty joyless most of the time.

The need for food banks in such a wealthy country is a disgrace but I'll continue to donate until if and when we finally elect a government who gives a toss about hungry poor people.

Never thought of that!