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 have a direct debit but always feel obliged to get more when they're doing an in person collection in the local supermarket (as they are this summer). I always get a few things off the urgent list and then a few things that, to my mind, make the summer holidays easier - a multipack of crisps or fruit shoots or those mini bags of biscuits. No, they're not going to sustain anyone long term but it might mean you can take your kids down to the park and take a snack with you.

My church is a collection point and is full of a wide variety of things
I donate
Shower gel
Hand wash
Deodorant
San pro
Tooth stuff
Pet food
Tinned anything
Cereals
Tea and coffee
Pasta
Cooking sauces

I go for a mix of basics, so toiletries tend to boots own range for example
Then I bung in some treat type stuff so I might get a lynx shower gel and deodorant thinking some 13 year old lad will be happy with that
Or I'll get supermarket own cornflakes and Kellogg's coco pops
I try to find things on offer

Every few months I go to Lidl/Aldi and buy a tray of tinned peas, a tray of carrots, a tray of sweetcorn , a dozen jars/tins of hot dogs , a tray of pasatta and 12 smart price dried price spaghetti. If I can afford it I also buy a few of those multipacks of custard creams/bourbons etc.

It's not much, doesn't cost me a huge amount but it makes me feel like I'm helping at least a little bit. I'm on benefit myself but am doing ok, in the past I've been so poor that I've had make sandwiches without even the cheapest Marge and had porridge with water. A latte at a time like that would have made my day. People don't grasp how desolate and ground down you feel by constant poverty and the threat of the electric meter being cut off .

Stick to regular tea because not everyone is a fan of herbal and fruit teas.

People who receive food from the food bank aren’t a different species. So if you might like something like that, I’m sure someone going through a hard time would appreciate it too.

Our local food bank love things like this - they rarely have to ask for pasta, uht milk and beans etc as people always donate it - understandable as its cheap and filling and used for lots of things but - they often like the ‘treat’ items too.

i would always buy sachets like that, plus condiments and toiletries and cleaning products.

one of the best received donations i made was actually makeup! I got through a family friend a bunch of new in package mascara and face moisturisers to donate - went down really well as its things like that often cant be budgeted for in hard times but make life a bit nicer.

I give £10 a month to Shelter by direct debit, and £30 three times a year to the local food bank. It isn’t a deal, but I hope it helps. And, I think you should give what you want and when you can.

It’s not like you have given them a bad of dried kidney beans that need boiling for an hour. I can’t see anything wrong with them as I’m sure there are a lot of people who would love a latte.

Of course they do, what a ridiculous question.

Doesn't need refrigerating so would be good for making a sandwich for a packed lunch for example.

I think this is spot on.

It's why our food bank drop offs were full of a Easter eggs a few months ago. Obviously people wanted to do something nice, but if they give chocolate instead of basics (rather than as well as) it's obviously unhelpful.

The lists supplied by foodbanks often seem to include things I would never eat myself. I tend to go for things like pasta and tins of tomato and tuna as well as non-food items like toothpaste and toothbrushes.

I had to use a food bank this week. The lattes would have been very appreciated as it's hot sweet and also doesn't use up the milk. Also I know this seems very grabby but remember uht milk has a very distinctive taste. My kids won't have it with cereal have tried everything! But I use it for porridge, mug cake. So sometimes a treat of nesquick basic brand equivalent is handy. They hot chocolate powder etc. Also I soy sauce and chilli sauce is sometimes handy as it's ambient and can improve the taste! It's a shame as lots of it is UPF. So you have to deal with that guilt as well. Btw Weetabix was in such high demand all the packs went In half hour!

Our local one regularly puts a list of items it’s in need of on Facebook so I buy from that but I do like to add a few treats. Everyone needs a treat.

They might be staples but they aren't essentials. You can't make a meal out of latte, coffee or tea. They might be nice to have but they don't help make a meal.

Instant lattes might give calories but I bet they also give a sugar crash, making hunger worse.

When I was so skint I was cutting my elec and water usage to the bone, I wasn't boiling the kettle unnecessarily.

I donate what are deemed basics, but I always try to put in a few "treat" items and if I have the funds I include baby stuff like toiletries and nappies. Coming up to Christmas I donate small selection boxes, cake and decent biscuits. Everyone needs things that lift their spirits and even more so when they are struggling.

I get a lot of chocolate and alcohol gifts and always donate to the food bank, who doesn’t like a little treat!

Quite, the attitude some have on here is bizarre and offensive to be honest.

I donate directly now because I get my food shops delivered but if you check your local food bank website they’ll give you a rough idea of what they need generally and (often) what they’re short of right now.

Lots of things on the list require boiled water. I accept that some people might not have access to it and their supplies will be adjusted accordingly but a lot of people will. Tea bags, coffee, instant hot chocolate etc are on the list for every food bank.

Alcohol is a no no for many food banks.

I think it's lovely. For example a new mum or someone working long hours might really appreciate it.

I sometimes buy nice condiments to go in the collection point at my supermarket: I think they get a lot of dried pasta and tinned beans but it's nice to have a bit of flavour, no?

Please don’t donate alcohol, food banks aren’t allowed to give that away.

Sure, I hear what you are saying about your own situation. But food banks request tea and coffee as a staple. They're obviously aware that the benefits outweigh the problems you've raised for many people. Same with any food needing water or heating. Otherwise they wouldn't give out pasta.

People have very different metabolic responses to sugar - lattes don't give me a sugar crash any more than other sweet treats. Food bank users have probably had them before and know their reactions.

The point people are discussing on this thread is about giving people some degree of pleasure and choice. Many people in the UK would be miserable without caffeine, but I'm sure others could swap tea / coffee out.

I volunteer for a food bank. We like to have 'treat' items to give to people. But if you are worried about how useful these items are, you could always check online to see what they need or donate one treat item and one store cupboard item like pasta?

Am pretty sure that most of what food banks give out, are items they had to buy.
I don't think you did wrong, OP.

it's all welcome.
I donate cash because they have a lot of running costs : petrol, storage rental, electricity, etc. Oh and (used) large carrier bags / bags for life, they love those for donations.

I help out at out local food bank, this is what we do!

staples (cereal, bread, rice, pasta and tinned goods etc) go to be spread among ‘expected’ bags.
hygiene products are also spread.
treat things like biscuits, chocolate, sweets, milkshake powder, milky instant drinks go onto a ‘treat table’ where anyone can pick and/or choose.

little treats are human.

I bought some 'New York Coffee' from the Poundshop, it's instant coffee mixed with milk powder for an instant brew. Must say, it is pretty delicious. There's a 'three in one' type too which also has sugar in it. Cheap and not at all shabby.