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Original poster

Why aren't more food bank collections like this?

41 replies

Upwiththisiwillnotput · 02/08/2023 23:07

Food bank bins always seem to be at the end of the tills after you've finished shopping. So I never remember to pick something up to put in there.

The supermarket near my work has a charity stall outside with big notices saying "Today we need green vegetables/tinned fruit/bread etc so you see it on your way in and pick it up when you shop.

This seems much more sensible to me.

OP posts:
PurpleChrayne · 02/08/2023 23:09

Yep!

And why do they always have the carpet cleaners after the checkouts?

XenoBitch · 02/08/2023 23:10

PurpleChrayne · 02/08/2023 23:09

Yep!

And why do they always have the carpet cleaners after the checkouts?

Plants too.

I agree, OP.

TheFlis12345 · 02/08/2023 23:20

I assume those kind of stalls need to be manned and they don’t always have volunteers to do that?

Some teenagers on a charity project a few years ago came up with a great scheme where supermarkets would have labels to put on certain shelves saying “this item is currently urgently needed at the local food bank, please buy an extra if you can and leave it at the collection point. The results of the trial were amazing and lots of the supermarket chains promised to roll it out but then Covid happened and they never did.

Starlightstarbright2 · 02/08/2023 23:37

Morrisons do grab bags you can just pop in trolley and pay at the end . I find this easiest

determinedtomakethiswork · 02/08/2023 23:53

Starlightstarbright2 · 02/08/2023 23:37

Morrisons do grab bags you can just pop in trolley and pay at the end . I find this easiest

I really like those bags. You know it's something that's needed and you can pay exactly what you want to.

Nsky62 · 02/08/2023 23:57

I do a direct débit each month, easy

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 03/08/2023 00:01

The Tesco one is near enough the entrance for you to stroll over and read the ‘this week we want’ notice.

it’s always the same, though: soap and detergent , either they don’t bother to change it or the users are cleaning fanatics. I just send DH on the donations round now: soap, detergent, washing up liquid, loo roll , while I do the veg. I do like to add a ‘treat’ though : nice shampoo, bath essence.

I agree about the carpet cleaners. Even more bizarre are the free motorised scooters, parked on the other side so you can think how nice it would have been to have borrowed one. No one on the customer service phone line had a clue about how I could liberate one when I had a bad ankle and was hobbling.

bakermummy21 · 03/08/2023 00:06

Lidl always have the cheap veg boxes the other end of the checkouts too. I can never understand why they do that

SirSmellyJohn · 03/08/2023 00:56

Upwiththisiwillnotput · 02/08/2023 23:07

Food bank bins always seem to be at the end of the tills after you've finished shopping. So I never remember to pick something up to put in there.

The supermarket near my work has a charity stall outside with big notices saying "Today we need green vegetables/tinned fruit/bread etc so you see it on your way in and pick it up when you shop.

This seems much more sensible to me.

Yes. I agree 100%. It's frustrating to realise I haven't picked anything up for the food bank bin when I'm on my way out.

kitchenhelprequired · 03/08/2023 04:10

There has to be a better way than having retailers profit from individuals buying food to donate. Maybe they could offer a discount at the check out for items to be donated and physically take them off people at the till so there's no chance of abusing the discount.

cariadlet · 03/08/2023 04:17

That sounds a much better system. I always used to forget to put anything extra in my trolley until I saw the collection bins - after I had already been through the till.

In the end, I just took out a direct debit instead.

Trez1510 · 03/08/2023 04:47

When I shopped in person, I always attempted to choose items to the value of 10/15% of my own shopping. I made a point of buying things on offer/BOGOFs to make the foodbank's share go as far as possible.

Since Covid I've opted for home delivery and now have a direct debit set up. I've doubled it in the past two years due to seeing the impact of inflation on my own shopping.

Hopefully, the foodbank is able to achieve economies of scale/trade prices when they're using cash to bulk-buy whatever they actually need.

anxiousatnight · 03/08/2023 05:55

bakermummy21 · 03/08/2023 00:06

Lidl always have the cheap veg boxes the other end of the checkouts too. I can never understand why they do that

Because otherwise you could pick extra veg up on your way round and stick it in the box and not pay for it

greenteaandmarshmallows · 03/08/2023 05:59

I just stick it in my trolley on the way round - force of habit if you're doing the shopping just always pick up whatever it is and add it to your trolley. It's the same as if you were picking up a loaf of bread for your neighbour on the way round etc?

greenteaandmarshmallows · 03/08/2023 05:59

anxiousatnight · 03/08/2023 05:55

Because otherwise you could pick extra veg up on your way round and stick it in the box and not pay for it

Show quote history

Ahh makes sense

autienotnaughti · 03/08/2023 06:02

Yes every time I mean to buy something and I forget!

RedRobin100 · 03/08/2023 06:06

Agree

EVERY time on my way out I comment oh we should pick something up for the collection next time! 🤦🏻‍♀️

LadyPenelope68 · 03/08/2023 06:19

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 03/08/2023 00:01

The Tesco one is near enough the entrance for you to stroll over and read the ‘this week we want’ notice.

it’s always the same, though: soap and detergent , either they don’t bother to change it or the users are cleaning fanatics. I just send DH on the donations round now: soap, detergent, washing up liquid, loo roll , while I do the veg. I do like to add a ‘treat’ though : nice shampoo, bath essence.

I agree about the carpet cleaners. Even more bizarre are the free motorised scooters, parked on the other side so you can think how nice it would have been to have borrowed one. No one on the customer service phone line had a clue about how I could liberate one when I had a bad ankle and was hobbling.

@Allthegoodnamesarechosen I volunteer at a food bank. Whilst your sentiments are lovely, I wouldn’t bother with bath essence/bubble bath products as most users can’t afford the gas/electricity to run a bath. It’s quick shower or a sink wash. Bath products are never picked by users (unless it’s baby bath products)

Fillyfrog · 03/08/2023 06:24

The other week they had some volunteers stood at the entrance to asda giving out flyers saying what they really needed in the food bank that week. It was such a good idea, it reminded me and I knew exactly what to pick up.

ChimChimeny · 03/08/2023 06:27

TheFlis12345 · 02/08/2023 23:20

I assume those kind of stalls need to be manned and they don’t always have volunteers to do that?

Some teenagers on a charity project a few years ago came up with a great scheme where supermarkets would have labels to put on certain shelves saying “this item is currently urgently needed at the local food bank, please buy an extra if you can and leave it at the collection point. The results of the trial were amazing and lots of the supermarket chains promised to roll it out but then Covid happened and they never did.

Lidl do this, I tweeted them about it becAuse in my local.one they were putting the tickets on the expensive/deluxe versions of things which I think would put some people off.

Im. In the habit now so I just pick up a selection when I'm shopping and always check the veg boxes before I start shopping

User1800 · 03/08/2023 06:41

Fillyfrog · 03/08/2023 06:24

The other week they had some volunteers stood at the entrance to asda giving out flyers saying what they really needed in the food bank that week. It was such a good idea, it reminded me and I knew exactly what to pick up.

Excellent idea !

Fairyliz · 03/08/2023 06:48

Don’t you write a shopping list?
If so can’t you just write food bank on it each week and then at least you will buy something to pop into the box.

LifeofBrienne · 03/08/2023 06:54

I set up a direct debit a couple of years ago. It requires zero effort from me and I assume that money is more useful since the charity can buy more cheaply in bulk and/or stock up on things they need which aren’t on people’s radar to buy.

LifeofBrienne · 03/08/2023 06:55

But stickers on shelves also sound like a great idea!

bestbefore · 03/08/2023 06:55

I always thought in tesco the red star on the shelf next to thing was suggestions for the food bank?

I like to get brioche rolls & other breakfast stuff for kids ; I hope it helps someone? And pasta that just needs hot water

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