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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

aibu to buy instant latte for the foodbank

380 replies

painochocolate · 12/08/2023 10:40

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?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 12/08/2023 11:44

But that Latte may satisfy a very hungry parent who uses all the basics to feed their kids and leaves themselves little to nothing leftover.

PuttingDownRoots · 12/08/2023 11:45

If you buy two of the trwat item... why not buy one and then something practical?

BashfulClam · 12/08/2023 11:46

Those things give me a really bad stomach so it wouldn’t be a treat in my book!

Daphnis156 · 12/08/2023 11:49

I'm surprised you didn't take caviar to the food bank.
Do they call you "Marie Antoinette"?

Original poster
painochocolate · 12/08/2023 11:49

SiliconHeaven · 12/08/2023 11:41

Buy what they need OP

Intrigued by this list I have found my local food bank and there is an app called BankTheFood so I've downloaded it. Thank you so much! I will stick to the urgents on the list and if it says instant coffee I might sneak a latte in :)

OP posts:
Original poster
painochocolate · 12/08/2023 11:50

Daphnis156 · 12/08/2023 11:49

I'm surprised you didn't take caviar to the food bank.
Do they call you "Marie Antoinette"?

They want tinned fish?

OP posts:
Chocolatepeanutbuttercupsandicecream · 12/08/2023 11:50

Things like that are also used when offering clients a cuppa and a biscuit while they collect their parcel. People appreciate a warm space, a comfy seat, a chat, and a small treat. (I volunteered with a food bank a few years back.)
Pot noodles and other instant type meals are a good shout as well. Or tinned meatballs or mince and instant mashed potatoes. The ravioli and macaroni cheese tins are always welcome too.

Oftenaddled · 12/08/2023 11:51

If you have got them free in your 3 for 2 offer, why not?

Lots of people would enjoy them. More calories in them than tea so more nourishing in that sense. Single pensioners are big food bank clients and likely to enjoy them.

I put sugar in with donations quite often, based on advice here. When I've been short of money / cold / exhausted/ a bit unwell in the past, I've wanted sugar in my tea. If I had to feed kids with whatever cereal the foodbank could spare, a sprinkling of sugar might make all the difference, especially to cheap porridge made with water. Pinch of sugar in tinned tomatoes. Tinned fruit grilled with sugar.

Oats, sugar and any cheap fat or fruit and you have a desert. It's a low density high calorie versatile comfort food - great thing to include.

PurpleBugz · 12/08/2023 11:51

As someone who once use the food bank I can tell you there are jit treats in their house. I remember getting a tinned pudding thing and it was just amazing- i would never eat it now would taste gross but when you have only plain stuff the luxuries are extra extra special!!

My other recommendation is nice shampoos. I was using washing up liquid for so long I always stick shampoo in the donation box now even though it's not good I doubt they bin it

TheGoogleMum · 12/08/2023 11:51

At my local foodback instant coffee (not large jar) is on the list of urgently needed items so it might actually be quite a good donation!

Katrinawaves · 12/08/2023 11:52

I wouldn’t buy the soy sauce or sweet chilli sauce in those circumstances because the recipient can’t eat these to satisfy their hunger and probably can’t use them as an ingredient with the kinds of foods normally provided by the food bank which is canned and dried good mostly not fresh meat or veg.

The latte sachets are different and would stave off hunger and be a nice treat. Same with biscuits, sweet treats etc.

As we do our grocery shopping online, we just do the weekly cash donation so let the food bank decide to purchase what they need but when we have done a shop at Christmas and Easter we’ve done a mix of basics and some luxury items - personally I’d rather structure my spending so that more people in need get something which will be helpful to them, than 1 or 2 get something less essential.

Original poster
painochocolate · 12/08/2023 11:52

PurpleBugz · 12/08/2023 11:51

As someone who once use the food bank I can tell you there are jit treats in their house. I remember getting a tinned pudding thing and it was just amazing- i would never eat it now would taste gross but when you have only plain stuff the luxuries are extra extra special!!

My other recommendation is nice shampoos. I was using washing up liquid for so long I always stick shampoo in the donation box now even though it's not good I doubt they bin it

Yes shampoo is on the list.

What a good idea. I'm glad I asked. Thank you all

OP posts:
alphabetti · 12/08/2023 11:54

Give what you can. I often will try and put something essential in and also something that would be seen as a treat as if you like it and it helps get you through the week why wouldn’t anyone else like it too and things such as a sachet of latte may be something someone with very little money would feel they can justify spending their money on but would be a welcome treat.

BlossomCloud · 12/08/2023 11:57

I think it's a good idea . All you need is a kettle to make a nice hot drink.

And sweet chilli/soy sauce also good. When you are living on rice/pasta and tinned stuff , being able to liven it up with a sauce makes a difference.

I spent a long time scraping by and I definitely appreciated being able to have something different/more interesting

Pinktops · 12/08/2023 11:59

You can do both, donate essential food and some treats. Packs for homeless people are specifically prepared for a person without cooking facilities and other packs are more general. A foodbank voucher outlines the customers circumstances so volunteers know what to give them.
Treats added are on top of the food not instead of so can be good to receive in times of stress and worry.

daffodilandtulip · 12/08/2023 12:00

I used to collect food bank packages for clients who couldn't collect. Whilst the essentials are obviously essential, they do appreciate a treat too. I always donate things like Easter eggs and advent calendars, for example.

DatingMum57789 · 12/08/2023 12:00

When I had to flee my ex-husband due to DV, I relied on food banks for a while and it was nice to have a treat like this as well as the essentials. Now I’m on the other side of things and in a position to donate to them instead, I also buy a few treats for this exact reason. X

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 12/08/2023 12:02

Small joys are also a necessity, especially when you're skint

AdoraBell · 12/08/2023 12:04

YANBU, it’s good to be able to have a treat, be that coffee/tea/biscuits/cake/nice shower gel when struggling with the cost of living. Yes, food is important but a treat can really lift someone’s spirits.

ChiaraRimini · 12/08/2023 12:06

I give cash to my local food bank, so they can buy what they need, rather than me second guessing them. Confused

Badbudgeter · 12/08/2023 12:06

Katrinawaves · 12/08/2023 11:52

I wouldn’t buy the soy sauce or sweet chilli sauce in those circumstances because the recipient can’t eat these to satisfy their hunger and probably can’t use them as an ingredient with the kinds of foods normally provided by the food bank which is canned and dried good mostly not fresh meat or veg.

The latte sachets are different and would stave off hunger and be a nice treat. Same with biscuits, sweet treats etc.

As we do our grocery shopping online, we just do the weekly cash donation so let the food bank decide to purchase what they need but when we have done a shop at Christmas and Easter we’ve done a mix of basics and some luxury items - personally I’d rather structure my spending so that more people in need get something which will be helpful to them, than 1 or 2 get something less essential.

Sweet chilli sauce with a tin of sweetcorn is actually really nice. If you can get some instant noodles/ microwave rice/ cous cous with it then it’s a meal. I sometimes work in the middle of nowhere and keep a supply of emergency food in the boot.

NewNovember · 12/08/2023 12:08

GodSaveTheClean · 12/08/2023 10:51

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

Children need adult toothpaste especially those living in poverty as it's hard to afford a healthy diet.

Silvers11 · 12/08/2023 12:09

I donated a heap of cat litter and tinned cat food when my Cat died. Some foodbanks/resource centres do take these things and some don't. Two near me said yes, they would take them as people do ask. Lots of people handing in pets to rescue centres because they can't afford to keep them

Why don't you hand in ONE 'treat' type thing and ONE tinned item?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 12/08/2023 12:15

I'd be over the moon with having seasonings/flavours to make food taste of something; chilli flakes, salt, pepper, hot sauce, ketchup, tamari, etc, as the odds of there being anything GF would be minimal - if I've got a bag of rice (or potatoes from my last £3), it would go a long way in making things feel less miserable.

Cucucucu · 12/08/2023 12:15

I always get chocolate and treats , I think people need a pick me up if I’m that situation too