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Original poster

What to do with all the unwanted food gifts?

135 replies

Titsywoo · 27/12/2024 21:57

We have been given tons of gifts from work customers and friends/family that we just won't eat or drink. Things like liquer filled chocolates, tin of Roses, biscuits etc. What does everyone do with bit like this? Food bank?

OP posts:
fuzzychic · 28/12/2024 07:18

TinyMouseTheatre · 27/12/2024 22:19

@fuzzychic our Food Bank might be slightly different to yours. Treats like this wouldn't replace a regular item of food, they'd be given as an extra.

The local Food Bank also empties out their collection points more often at this time of year as they understand that some people woukd want to donate treats that they have received.

Great thanks for explaining how they operate. I just didn't want to overwhelm them if they were short of room.

fuzzychic · 28/12/2024 07:19

AlexaSetATimer · 27/12/2024 22:29

Is there a quota on the chocs that you'd allow them to have? Don't they deserve any treats? Confused

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Urgh. I don't know why everyone is having a go at me for not understanding foodbank logisitics

fuzzychic · 28/12/2024 07:19

Adviceplease2022 · 27/12/2024 22:36

They absolutely do want them! I volunteered at my local foodbank earlier this month and they had me opening boxes of wrapped chocolates and making them up into smaller mini bags of chocolates to go with the food parcels. They say they like to do these all year round but struggle with donations outside of December and Easter. So please do donate any wrapped chocolates for your foodbank.

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Thank you!

fuzzychic · 28/12/2024 07:20

AlexaSetATimer · 27/12/2024 22:37

Foodbank shelves are never full. The idea that we have massive warehouses bulging with waiting supplies is so laughable it makes me cry.

We are barely scraping by to get parcels together for everyone that comes to ours, even with the pre-Christmas generosity rush.
We have more gaps on our shelves than tins.

At ours, clients get their regular parcel then can choose an item from a table with "extra bits". Biscuits and chocolate are always immensely popular as a little treat.

If anyone is thinking of what to donate, ask your foodbank or check their app if they have one. We use Bank the Food app. We always need tinned meat, fish, veg and fruit. Also often need toiletries and San Pro.

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Great thank you I'll download the bank the food app sounds handy

fuzzychic · 28/12/2024 07:22

Icanlarf · 27/12/2024 23:29

There will never be time that our warehouses are so full that we cannot take more.. We often have to shop to stock up because we don’t have sufficient stock. Our clients get a box of tinned groceries, a carrier bag of treats and cereals,a carrier bag with 4 other items of the clients choosing. And 2 or 1 toilet roll.. We always need shampoo and deodorant and men’s shaving goods.
I think it is good that people ask this sort of question. We do not expect the general,public to automatically know how we work. So well done @fuzzychic for being brave enough to ask.

If any one is interested our volunteers split into 3 teams at the beginning of the session. One team are distributing at the counter and are all trained to look out for any welfare issues.
The second team are splitting products. Salt, cooking oil, pasta, tea bags etc.
the third team are sorting into best before dates so that food is distributed in order.

We never give any damaged packets or dented tins. These are given to the church who cook twice a week for the homeless.

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Thank you and thank you for explaining. I wish I hadn't asked as loads of people have decided to be nasty and assume the worst of me.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 28/12/2024 07:27

fuzzychic · 27/12/2024 22:00

Do you really think foodbanks want a load of chocolates? Won't they have given a load out before Christmas?

As someone running a food bank I’d gladly receive chocolate any week of the year. We try to have a treat most times but budgets are tight.

RickiRaccoon · 28/12/2024 07:28

We have a community pantry I often put them in.

UtterlyOtterly · 28/12/2024 07:36

Our local food bank helpfully has a weekly list of what they need most but will always take treats. If anyone is concerned and can afford it, donate the treats and add in a couple of other more mundane things.

fuzzychic · 28/12/2024 07:37

JoannaGroats · 27/12/2024 23:08

The OP doesn’t have another item. She isn’t asking “What would be the number one food bank choice?” - she’s asking what she should do with THIS food.

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Yes thanks. Again. Not thick.

westernlights · 28/12/2024 07:55

What about excess wine? I barely drink but was inundated with bottles. Any ideas who would take them?

CurlewKate · 28/12/2024 07:55

@fuzzychic "Do you really think foodbanks want a load of chocolates?"

Of course not. Poor people aren't allowed nice things.

MinnieBalloon · 28/12/2024 07:56

Just bin it, then you don’t have to piss about handing it out different places.

WoodyCoppicePlantationAlmaMater · 28/12/2024 07:58

We usually donate to local village church for their community food bank.

fuzzychic · 28/12/2024 07:58

CurlewKate · 28/12/2024 07:55

@fuzzychic "Do you really think foodbanks want a load of chocolates?"

Of course not. Poor people aren't allowed nice things.

Omg. This is the Christmas forum I thought it was less hostile than AIBU but this is awful. I'm never posting in Christmas again you all just jump on someone for not knowing the logistics of food banks. You're all just assuming I meant foodbanks shouldn't have chocolate. It's awful. I wish I'd never asked.

sandgrown · 28/12/2024 08:07

@MinnieBalloon why would you throw away perfectly good food that someone else could enjoy? It’s no effort to drop it in the food bank baskets at the supermarket.

fuzzychic · 28/12/2024 08:08

westernlights · 28/12/2024 07:55

What about excess wine? I barely drink but was inundated with bottles. Any ideas who would take them?

I give my alcohol to the neighbours

fuzzychic · 28/12/2024 08:08

MinnieBalloon · 28/12/2024 07:56

Just bin it, then you don’t have to piss about handing it out different places.

You just have to take it to one place

UnstableEquilibrium · 28/12/2024 08:08

westernlights · 28/12/2024 07:55

What about excess wine? I barely drink but was inundated with bottles. Any ideas who would take them?

You could use them in cooking, eg boeuf bourguignon or coq au vin.

Or offer them to anyone you might think could do with a thankyou gift: GP's surgery, children's teachers, workmen, cleaner, people you're visiting. Or share them with workmates.

Or save them for a tombola.

endsnewyearsday · 28/12/2024 08:18

Depends what they are...boxes of biscuits I'd take to the food bank. Things like liqueur chocolates, maybe local old folks home/day centre.

Jingleberryalltheway · 28/12/2024 08:19

fuzzychic · 27/12/2024 22:08

Because their warehouse might already be full of chocolates from before Christmas?

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Our local one is empty. Donations are down and referals are up. I doubt they’re the only one.

CornishPorsche · 28/12/2024 08:34

westernlights · 28/12/2024 07:55

What about excess wine? I barely drink but was inundated with bottles. Any ideas who would take them?

Anyone with a kid at school / in a club can add them to the next tombola or awards thing.

I give all my random extras to my mate as her DD is in a small volunteer-led drama class with regular fundraising required - everything decent can go in the raffles.

greengreyblue · 28/12/2024 08:39

These things keep quite a long time so you could just store them for future gifts or share with family/ friends/ neighbours. Donate to local groups- church/ mums n tots/ soup kitchen.

greengreyblue · 28/12/2024 08:41

MinnieBalloon · 28/12/2024 07:56

Just bin it, then you don’t have to piss about handing it out different places.

🙄

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 28/12/2024 08:43

fuzzychic · 27/12/2024 22:00

Do you really think foodbanks want a load of chocolates? Won't they have given a load out before Christmas?

No, wouldn’t want the povvos getting a treat along with their value pasta and baked beans would we?! 🙄

mitogoshigg · 28/12/2024 08:45

Yes to the food bank for sweets, they open them up so clients can take a few whilst visiting, they last all year! Biscuits can also be donated to food banks that offer hot drinks etc or look for a church that offers a warm space for people to enjoy a coffee and biscuit (I cook soup every week for 40-50 vulnerable people at my church, 75 last week, we are grateful for all contributions including sweet treats to offer with a hot drinks etc)

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