To anyone who has ever donated to a food bank...

[ThrowThoseCurtainsWide]

Thank you, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you

The DCs and I left our family home this week. as we were fleeing domestic violence. It's been a really shitty week, but thanks to all of your food bank donations our cupboard looks like this. The volunteers there were so welcoming to me, gave me tea, checked I was okay and they're going to make sure there are some bits waiting for me next week that weren't available today.

I've been overwhelmed by the generosity of people. Friends of a friend have given us bags of toys.

If you ever lose your faith in mankind, remember that the kindness of strangers has provided food and happiness to my children this week. I couldn't be more grateful.

Thank you

[Pebbles16]

Gosh that is lovely. Beat of luck to you OP.

[Tartanwallpaper]

Well done! X

[boniobiscuit]

This is, strangely, one of the loveliest posts I've ever read.

I'll keep donating and, in return, I ask that you keep on being strong and remember you are amazing x

[2018SoFarSoGreat]

How lovely of you to think of thanking others when you have so much to focus on. You are a good human being. I send you strength and best wishes for a safe and secure future for you are your DC.

[MushroomTree]

I wish you the absolute best of luck Throw.

I work in DV, including in refuge, so deal with our local food bank on a regular basis. The generosity of people never fails to amaze me.

[gamerchick]

Ah take a squeeze OP, things are going to get better now. All the best to you and your family

[Mrsmadevans]

Wonderful post OP, wishing you and your Dc a lovely life out of pain and fear .

[Nonameyet1]

That made me well up. What a lovely thank you and I’m so glad you are safe and giving hope to others out there in similar situations!

[slowco4ch]

The best is yet to come. You're so strong for leaving and one day it will be you giving back. You've done an amazing thing to get out. Always remember that!

[Miljah]

Is there a toy and/or book bank? Somewhere people can take no longer wanted stuff, like toys, books, games, jigsaws, so people like the OP can choose what they'd like?

I'm near Southampton.

I'd be delighted to donate to such a thing.

Most people are only 3 payslips away from catastrophe.

[JamesBondFire]

What a fantastic post to read! Well done for leaving and I wish you and your kids luck for the future.

[buckeejit]

Bless you OP - hope there are much happier times ahead for you & your family

[TodoDoingDone]

All the best for your new life!

I'm not in the Uk but going to donate online.

[Ariela]

I regularly donate as there's a bin in Waitrose, often nice stuff like Jordans cereal, chocolate biscuits or tinned salmon, as well as regular staples, because I figure a treat every now and then would be good for morale.

[OhHolyFcuk]

I'm not OP but I refer people to food banks a lot for the same reason
We get loads of kidney beans/haricot beans/chickpeas which tbh don't tend to get used
Any 'full' meals are good do hearty soups, tinned curries, microwave rice, pasta sauces, tinned sausages
And high calorie stuff - biscuits, tinned cakes, rice pudding etc because often people in stressful situations just pick at food and it's good to have stuff to keep them going
Cereals, tea, coffee, sugar always useful too
And any kids bits, lots of our families feel bad they can't afford treat stuff for the children

Hope that helps

[longtimelurkerhelen]

@ThrowThoseCurtainsWide

Well done for being so brave and strong, wish you all the luck in the world.

@billybagpuss

You can find a donation drop off point here www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

You can google food bank and your postcode to find the nearest to your location.

[anniehm]

Thank you! We collect for our local one a few times a year at work but wish we could sponsor families to buy them a full shop in circumstances like yours, proper vegetables etc. Remember if you are running low there's also lots of projects with hot food too, I have a list of everywhere in my city on my notice board at work so I'm sure other councils do the same.

[ToeToToe]

That's so heartwarming OP. I give to food banks, and other charities on the basis of "there but for the grace of god go I.." Glad there was some help for you this week. Good luck and stay safe

[Badgerbird]

Great job on getting you and your family to safety you brave wonderful woman you!

How thoughtful of you to come in here to thank people

Stay safe and I wish you all the luck with your future. X

[MrsIronfoundersson]

Please let us know what you would like, I do basics and then some choc/biscuits but if there are particular things that are useful, that would be good to know.

[MrsIronfoundersson]

And good luck!

[anniehm]

Your local food bank is best placed to advise on foods as it depends where you live - here they ask for tinned tomatoes and chickpeas but there's a large Asian population.

[MrsElijahMikaelson1]

Good luck to you OP and well done for protecting your wee family

[HermioneWeasley]

Glad you’re away and safe, and getting lots of support.

Good luck for a brighter future

[Bananasarenottheonlyfruit]

Well done on getting out OP.

@billybagpuss all my local supermarkets have a collection point year round, it just gets tucked away a lot of the time.

I tend to donate things like tinned fruit and rice puddings, custard, tinned veg, sponge puddings.