Foodbank buying items from shops?

[girlfriend44]

I always thought that foodbanks were given out of date stock when I saw them collecting from shops and supermarkets.
I have now found out they buy items from certain retailers at a reduced price.
They put orders in. Where does the money come from to purchase?
Also they have vans, which cost money in petrol etc.
Anyone else think the same, never realised they were collecting stuff they had ordered in. I thought it was donated to them?÷

To be fair, if people need to rely on FBs for that long then clearly there are potentially other unaddressed issues - some which probably need professional support.

We donate to food banks via Ocado - so money rather than specific items.
We can also donate money, as well as food items, at some of our local shops for the food banks.

They need the vans to go and collect donations from shops, schools, community collections, churches, etc.

Food banks are something you can donate to in different ways. If you don't agree with the way they do things you aren't forced to donate.

And why would they want food items which are out of date?

This was charity run. It wasn't going to make anyone ill, it was the same as yellow sticker food that people buy discounted in shops.

In many cases yes, but that not the families fault isn't there and withdrawing support for the FB doesn't fix the issue either. I think there is a lack of awareness and understanding too as to just how tight things have become for so many families even with working parents.

I’ve just downloaded that app, thanks. I just did my monthly donation but it’ll be good for next time. One thing I buy regularly is squash because I remember how awful it was having to constantly drink water as a kid because my mum couldn’t afford to buy it. It never quenches your thirst properly.

Food banks have become normal now. It’s not normal in a supposedly civilised and affluent country to have people so hungry they rely on food banks to survive. When did this happen? Why do people just accept their existence? More should be done so they are no longer needed. It’s a sorry state of affairs when people have to use them even once, never mind months on end.

Normalising came in the 2010s. I agree that they should never be needed.

I'm not saying it's the fault of the FB users, nor do I have a lack of understanding, I'm saying that there are more issues to be fixed in order to reduce the need for/depency on FBs. There will always be some need but it's quite frankly ridiculous how many people seem to rely on them.

I assume you’re replying to me. The point of my post was that yes, you should care where it’s coming from. If your need is for more than food - if you need help with possibly multiple underlying causes leading to to your current circumstance, then charity run foodbanks requiring a referral are a part of that. The referral to the foodbank for many, will just be one part of multiple referrals to different organisations for the various components of the help they need. Simple, independent food banks which may recycle food to avoid waste, or rely on public donations, or community pantries etc, don’t do this. That’s not to say they aren’t valuable to those who use them, but they are just about the food need. I think the notion that we should rethink donations just because a few CF’s may take advantage is questionable. A lot of food utilised by independents would otherwise be wasted. Where does that leave those genuinely in need and for whatever reason unwilling or unable to ask for a referral ?

Be realistic.

If someone has an addiction that it the first thing they think about in the morning and the last thing they think about at night. It's more important than work, children, pets, paying bills or any of 100 things that should come first.

If she isn't using a food bank where will she get food? How will she pay for food?

Realistically she is going to shop lift, or maybe start house breaking. If she is continually caught she is going to prison and that will cost far more to feed her, paid by all of us, than a £10 bag from a food bank.

So not ‘on the turn’ then, as that suggested going off ?

Bloody hell- exactly what is the acceptable income range required to be on mumsnet , have a phone and / or WiFi??? Access to such things does not mean a comfortable life. These are basic necessities ( possibly not mumsnet) to function today.
People on very low incomes who need the assistance to a food bank are most likely the be working or unable to work ( caring for others, disability, illnesses) .
You need a phone and WiFi to access work , deal with the NHS, school, get benefits and simply survive in 2025.
Lets help people up not push them down.

a lot of the foodbanks are used as a way to dump poor quality UPF into the UK food supply and get a massive tax break for their 'charity' - it is rotten to the core. Food banks should provide high quality food and if that means buying it then buy direct from farmers at a fair price. Supermarkets do not have the health of the UK at the heart of what they do.

Well yes, sell by date of that day.

I agree. And as a disability outreach worker my experience was that the majority of referrals to food banks were made as part of a package of referrals for different aspects of the help people needed to get back on their feet. A lot of people’s lives were turned around as a result. Those foodbanks which worked on referrals, usually had a set period of assistance, ensuring people didn’t fall through the cracks in accessing other help.

My entire household income for 6 people is about 34k a year.
We donate to food banks, toy appeals and uniform banks.
We are so fortunate we are able to eat well, dress well and our children have wonderful experiences with our very average income.
Yet here on MN where everyone earns 6 figures a year and has a detached 5 bedroom house down south with stables and wine cellar, you see from the way posts are worded that people loathe to know those in desperate need of food are able to get some help.
I don’t really know why people who have so much begrudge those with so little having help to get the basics?

This. The ignorance is astounding. Interesting to note that even the much maligned DWP appreciate that claimants need a phone and Wi-Fi to access benefits.

👏👏👏Well said.

What an awful situation to be in. I’m glad you were able to access some help and the specific food you needed. Hope things are better for you now.

Do you really think that’s high on the agenda of a recipient who’s desperate to feed their kids ? Buying from farmers doesn’t solve the problem - many food bank users haven’t the time, knowledge or equipment to cook from scratch.

The sell by date doesn’t indicate that it’s going off though. Just that it’s not at its best after that date. And in general food banks don’t accept it of date food.

The difference between food banks and community fridges. I believe food banks give people a box of the same goods with a table of random bits for them to help themselves.

Community fridges are available to everyone. This is what @YellowPixie describes. You pick what you fancy.

I have a regular standing order to our local food bank - they use money for staffing, transport and stock of essential items - they get some items donated - but they have a much better ability to keep a stock of what people need if they have money to do so.

it’s nice to donate food items if you feel most comfortable doing that - and great if supermarkets donate some items - but most food banks get preferential / reduced rates anyway so in many ways a financial donation is the most efficient way of maximising your gift.

You’re wasting your breath. For some, critical thinking is difficult and considering what the people they are judging are likely to be going through on a daily basis comes second to the joy they get in actually judging them. Lots of that on MN.

Exactly. So the criticism is unwarranted.