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?

I think it might depend on the food bank.

Our local one doesn't have people going there to collect; they deliver a parcel once a week adjusted to the family/person receiving it. They always make sure that there are some "treat" food in, not just practical, so yes, a treat is definitely a good idea to get.
So the difficulty there would be with something like that is some people would be delighted to receive that, others would not and it would be thrown out. They wouldn't necessarily know who would want it.
if it's a food bank where people can come and choose, then it's a different matter.

I'd say that I'd stick with things like chocolates/chocolate biscuits/cakes if you want a treat as they're more universal, or go for more upmarket things. There's apparently a really nice steak and kidney pie in a tin that is very popular at ours, for example, but it is quite expensive so the foodbank can't justify buying it with donated money when they can buy two perfectly reasonable but not as nice ones for the same price. So they are always delighted when someone brings them in.

Fray bentos! Great idea!

As someone who has, a long time ago now, been a recipient of food parcels...

The little extras really do make the difference.

Yes, having a loaf of bread and a block of cheese and a tub of no frills spread means a sandwich.

But having a jar of marmite or a bottle of sweet chilli sauce or a tub of paprika or a jar of mustard ... means the dull cheese on toast or cheese sandwich can be actually enjoyable rather than just fuel, and those items typically last several weeks, enlivening many meals to come!

I don't think ANY food parcel or food bank scheme is forcing people to choose between essentials and treats - you get the essentials then choose a number of fresh items and treat items afterwards.

Please stop over thinking this - no one is sitting around drinking a latte or gazing at a lone bottle of sweet chili sauce whilst their kids starve, because thats all the food bank had!

YANBU, I buy essential stuff when I donate, such as pasta, baked beans, soup, tins of tuna for example, but also some treat things like nice chocolate biscuits, cake slices etc as I know how crap it feels to have no money, and yes food is good but it gets depressing just being able to have the basics day in day out, no room for biscuits etc. Sometimes chocolate can lift your spirits even if temporarily.
How is that a bad thing, to hopefully cheer someone up a bit?

Those of us that live on a low income don't usually buy branded, the only branded things my dc prefer is heinz soup. Spaghetti, beans etc are all the cheaper range. They also love asdas own meatballs but don't like fray bentos ones

I can imagine if you are in a situation where you are using food banks that some nice branded coffee/treats would be lovely

I don't know anyone who's needed to use food banks have the money to buy their own treats or a mcdonalds though, some people on here are clueless

Oh and one of mine loves those sandwich paste things in a jar

I think that’s a really judgemental and unfair comment. You have absolutely no idea of the motivation of the OP.

Says more about you than them.

why on god's green earth would instant hot drinks be unreasonable?

YANBU OP. I do similar, I assume your partner is annoyed because of cost? Perhaps remind him how close to extreme poverty everybody is.

No he just likes to get the "most bang for his buck". I can see the argument, several others have made it on this thread. I've definitely changed my thinking now.

Why would he think it's "nuts"? I can understand that he sees other items as more useful but why is this nuts? It seems an overreaction to a non-issue considering you could add the box of instant latte to a tin of beans or whatever else you're also donating.

He thinks it's a poor use of my money and the food bank want tins and pasta not fancy latte

Still seems an excessive reaction for merely a difference opinions in prioritising food items. But I agree with you, it's not exactly 'let them eat cake'.

I buy children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste. I saw a collector rolling her eyes at me but if I’m donating then I can choose to care about children’s teeth.
I also buy coffee and tea.

Why did they roll their eyes? Weird reaction. It's on the list for my food bank.

Having had to have a food parcel from social services (before food banks) I can honestly say that you are on the absolute bones of your arse by the time you get to that point. Anything beyond bread, cheap beans and tap water will seem utterly decadent. I remember a local shopkeeper who could see how much I was struggling gave me a mars bar. It honestly tasted like it had dropped from heaven it that good, and an unimaginable luxury for me to buy. So I'm in favour of food banks (and people who donate) supplying some treats as well. A very small thing can stop someone who is desperate from going over the edge.

If it's good enough for you it's good enough to donate. I'm sure it will well received.

I don’t know. It was a Christmas collection so I put chocolate in too and thought toothbrushes and paste was a good idea.

I didn't think you were allowed sugar if it was a Trussell Trust foodbank. Years back there was trouble in my local Facebook group because they said they would not accept it as it was unhealthy (so if you are poor you can't have sugar in your tea, but it's fine to have all the added sugar in things like cans of beans). They refused chocolate advent calendars as well but then relented due to the backlash and I think they've accepted them since.

I would think they'd have the same attitude towards instant latte as well.

God help me from ever having to rely on a foodbank and sanctimonious middle class do-gooders telling me what I can and can't drink and eat and that treats are not allowed.

However, it's usually easy enough to find out what they need generally - either local FB groups, their website or often the notices above the donation bins in the local supermarkets.

Agreed - if people can't afford food they probably can't afford toothpaste and toothbrushes either. I thought that toiletries are always well received.

I often put toothpaste and toothbrushes in too. Food bank boxes are the supermarkets here but I get the toothpaste etc from discount stores. I can’t afford the supermarket prices.

DrCoconut I’m sorry you were in that position but glad the shopkeeper gave you that treat.

i jsut bought a couple of toothbrushes and a packet of bourbon biscuits today!
i was in two minds about the toothbrushes as they werent on the list.

The Primark toothbrushes are great, 90p for a pack of 5. I’ve put those in a couple of times.

I think you're being kind and generous to donate. And I hate the prevailing view that various UK governments have encouraged that poor people are someone undeserving of 'treats'. It may not be on everyone's wish list, but it will certainly make someone else's day.

If you donate regularly, it is probably a good idea to check what the local foodbank needs (and what they do with items that are donated but not on their list).

I’d add (I posted earlier) that not all food banks are Trussell Trust or similar. I run an independent food bank. A huge percentage of our food comes from the (wonderful!) Felix Project/FareShare, who rescue supermarket surplus and pass it on to charities like mine.

We are less rigid in what each parcel contains. We feed most of our service users most weeks (as opposed to one-off emergency parcels, which is typical for TT as I understand it). We’ll always have some staple carb, but we have no idea what surplus we’ll receive until the van doors swing open. Last week people had (on top of the pasta and oats, beans, toms we’d bought in) six different fruits and vegetables, about six yogurts per person, salsa, bread, crisps, ready meals.

We are likely to save instant latte sachets for either a lean week (there are many), for someone with no cooking facilities at all, or for someone who actively asks for coffee, if we have no regular coffee.

I donate staples like UHT milk, pasta and rice every week but every now and then I buy Fox's ( thick) chocolate biscuits or Cadbury's instant drinking chocolate. Toothbrushes and toothpaste is a great idea.