aibu to buy instant latte for the foodbank

[painochocolate]

My DH says they'd prefer pasta and tinned goods but I like to buy three of whatever treat I'm getting for myself and put two in the foodbank. So this week it was instant latte. He thinks that's nuts. Aibu?

No, it's actually quite useful if the person receiving it has run out of milk.

Probably better to ask the food bank what they are in need of, the details should be on the collection point. They will probably have a list on their website.

Yes see what they need. UHT milk might be more useful, for example.

That's what I thought! I know I need my coffee to function. He also thinks it's meant to be for a week so buying things like sweet chilli sauce is silly.

Sugar.
Trussel trust doesn't list it but people always ask for it at the food bank.

Good shout. They always put the list at the end and I forget to look when I go round.

Soy sauce? I thought it would be nice to get something that they probably wouldn't buy themselves and can use to spruce up their weekly food bank box

No you're not, everyone likes a treat. And these are very useful for the people with no cooking/fridge facilities.

Some people are being put up in B&B's without fridges. So having a sachet makes it easier. And some are sleeping rough with a camping stove where I live.

It’s a lovely thought. Children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste are always well received too.

For someone who is living somewhere with no fridge for milk but access to a kettle (ie a B+B) then these would be great.
Put them in 🙂

If I was using a food bank I can't imagine instant latte would be high on my list. Like a pp said, I'd say UHT milk would be more useful, or powdered milk.

What do you think about pot noodles? Are they handy? I'm basically thinking things you can cook with just a kettle will be handy

Yes that's my husbands argument is that it's meant to be essentials but the food bank won't not give them uht if I put instant latte in? It will just be a bonus for someone?

Basically I think anything that can be made with just adding boiling water is a good idea. So Pot Noodles, Pot Pasta etc.

It's lovely to get a treat like that when you use a foodbank. Something you would never normally buy, can really lift your spirits.

I actually think it’s a pretty practical donation. If you have access to only a kettle it’s useful

Yes that's my husbands argument is that it's meant to be essentials but the food bank won't not give them uht if I put instant latte in? It will just be a bonus for someone?

Well yes. But rather than one person having that bonus, wouldn't it be better to spend that money on feeding more families? It just doesn't seem a good use of funds to me.

It's a good idea. I always put in the nice instant noodle pots. Anything that needs a kettle is quick and can be done without access to a kitchen.

Give what you want! I took a client to a food bank, she was just out of a violent situation living in one room and only had a tin of peas in the cupboard. Yes, she needed the basics....but it was the cherry pie and custard that she even questioned if she was allowed, that made her day, made us both cry and gave her something nice in what was a shit situation.

I saw a clip the other day where a lady had visited the food bank and got essentials (bread, tins etc) and also was given a big bunch of flowers. She seemed really happy to have something totally inessential, but so lovely, so crack on op I say. Make someone as happy as that woman with her flowers was.

OP do you also buy basics for the foodbank?

Your treats for yourself are on top of a normal shop, do you do the same for the foodbank?

There was a thread on here a while back and a food bank volunteer said it’s a PITA to get one or two random items because of the way they have to check in and out the items. I can’t remember the exact term she used tbh.

Basically it’s better to look at their list rather, than put random stuff in, that actually may not end up going where you want them to go.

when I see posts like this I always tell people if they can to Chuck in some wheat free or dairy free stuff. That is really expensive stuff compared to normal food. So when u have no money u cannot just buy cheaper food as it will make u sick.

As someone who has volunteered at a food bank I’d always suggest checking on the website as what the shortages are at your local one. The priority items will be listed. Soy sauce might be liked by some but tins of ham and carrots might be more useful.

I’d personally stick to the list of what they need. However I do donate selection boxes at Christmas for children .. and Easter eggs