What to do with all the unwanted food gifts?

[Titsywoo]

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?

🤯🤯🤯

Does everyone on here automatically read the worst into everything

And if anyone here is going to drop off chocolate and would like to drop something more nutritious, a good option is the stews and curries in a can, canned potatoes and veg, rice in microwaveable packets or raw, uht milk, tinned rice pudding then more boring but essential, washing up liquid, washing powder, san pro, shampoo, conditioner, razors. If you have a glut of toiletry gifts from Christmas including the bags please drop off too as the bags and small sizes are good to hand to those going into temporary housing with nothing as we also work with the local refuge, alas too common

There's also the psychological impact of being given a chocolate santa in February and being told it's a "treat"

We often receive (not from individuals but from supermarkets and manufacturers) Christmas chocolates as late as Feb and Easter eggs into July/August. No one bats an eye; if anyone mentions it, it is as a joke.

I think you're overthinking this. Those using food banks are not going to be psychologically damaged by recieving Christmas sweets outside if Christmas. They've likely got a lot worse going on in their lives than a chocolate Santa in February.

And (not the point of your post but fwiw) the environmental impact is also worth mentioning. Either orgs like mine receive and distribute 500kg of Easter eggs in August, or they get binned.

Alcohol can also be donated to hospices for their drinks cart.

Can you daughter take them back to uni? She'd be very popular! If not a shared flat, games night, SU would appreciate them I'm sure.

Food donation bins in the supermarkets

I volunteer at a food bank and we'd be delighted with this (except the alcohol which we couldn't use and wouldn't want around for lots of reasons.

Whaaaat? 😂

Thank you.

Ahh this makes sense. Thank you

Was there any need for that? I was just considering the emotional needs of the users.

It shouldn't be an either or but I get your point

Where I used to work we had a ‘Christmas food amnesty buffet’ early in the new year where everyone brought in their unopened or unused left overs and gifts and we had a bit of a lunch party (no alcohol).

That isn't what what she was implying, and she's clarified that more than once.

I am so pleased and that was the reason I posted.Sometimes I think that people on here are sitting so far up on their high horse it’s a wonder they can read the screen. Sadly there are so many misconceptions about food banks.

A man came in once to complain that people were pulling up in nice cars. Not thinking that nurses, and other workers need a car to do their jobs. That possible the car belongs to the Social Worker helping the family, a charity worker, neighbour or a friend.

So what’s wrong with a treat after Christmas, in addition to the packets of microwave rice and tins of beans? I thought at least some food banks have an ‘extras’ shelf, from which people can choose something they’d like.

My friend is a paramedic and we give everything surplus after Christmas to her for the ambo station - it's always appreciated and gets demolished very quickly apparently. Good for quick energy bursts for very tired crews.

We cannot accept any alcohol like that. If we do receive any we give it to the church for raffle prizes. We not ungrateful for the generosity of donating wine but it does cause a bit more work for us getting it to appropriate recipient. I would say don’t give any wine, spirits or beer.

No sorry. Not ‘old folks home’ because alcohol would play havoc with medication.

If it's just a box of chocolates or biscuits I'd take them into the office to share but food bank is a better idea

Yes. Plus you can't eat a car can you. If you have a car and then fall on hard times you might downsize the car but really it's money already spent.