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

[eurochick]

This is a lovely thread. Mostly because of the OP's new start, of course, but also to hear how food banks can really help. We stick a couple of bits in every week but obviously don't know where it goes. It's lovely to hear how it has helped someone.

Like a previous poster, we often put in something treaty for the children. The emphasis for food banks is rightly on the basics, but it is good to hear the extras are really appreciated.

[UatuTheWatcher]

Well done @ThrowThoseCurtainsWide for having the courage to leave and start on a new life for you and your children, you are a hero.

We had a similar experience with the Food Bank the Christmas before last. I was signed off from work and undergoing extensive investigations for my disability and my employer let me go. My DH lost his job at the same time so we went to the CAB in bits and they mopped us up and sorted us out and made sure we knew what we needed to do to get benefits etc. and gave us vouchers for the food bank. When I went down to see them they were so kind and exactly like with you gave me coffee and biscuits and sat and talked to me and entertained my kids. Along with all the normal food they gave us things like christmas pudding and custard, crackers, a voucher for a local family fruit and veg shop and one for a local butchers so we could have a proper christmas dinner. They even gave us some small wrapped presents for the kids. They were absolutely amazing and I can't thank them enough for their kindness.

I have never been so grateful for the kindness of strangers in my life and we always put things in the box when we do our weekly shop now even if it is only a Tesco basics item as although my DH is back in work he is only on a minimum wage and we have to 'cut our cloth'. But every little helps.

[Nofilter]

Fantastic! Also if you PM me your address I'll send some things I don't know if you are allowed to do that or not but I could send you a supermarket delivery of a small shop and some children's clothes from my shop I have xx

[Middlrm]

Well done for having such strength and thank you for the tips on bits you would have liked to have always wonder good luck and well done for working on a new future for you and the kids x

[Frenchmontana]

I go work in food banks. Our work encourage us to work with the food backs we support and pay us as though we were at work. We also have donation box at worn which is filled at least once a week.

I found it really overwhelming. All I wanted was to help the people more. I wish there was more I could do.

I hope you are ok OP. I wish you every happiness. I left an abusive marriage, things get better.

[sam221]

I wish you the best, you are so brave and strong! I think human kindness goes such a long way, especially when we support each other. If you need any advice about budgeting, finance or other stuff-then i recommend Moneysavingexpert (there is tons on there!) Also I reckon this lovely community, can help you out with other advice needed. Sending warms wishes!!!

[Nat6999]

Would it be useful to put things like freezer bags, sandwich bags, kitchen foil, takeaway type boxes in so you can keep opened food fresh? How do you get fresh food like meat & veg? It's a pity there isn't some kind of scheme to give slow cookers, basic ones are very cheap but are cheaper to run than a normal oven & brilliant if you can get cheap cuts of meat like stew meat. Do foodbanks have things to put a meal together, like condiments, dried herbs, table sauces, cooking oil, stock cubes etc? I usually put in tinned soups, tins of tomatoes, corned beef, cuppasoups & some sweets for anyone with children but would love to know if there is anything different you think would be useful

[BeersTonight2000]

If there are any two for one offers I always donate the second item. As children grow out their clothes I give them to charity shop if they are not damaged. Same with toys that children grow out of.

[sashh]

Nofilter and OP

You could both use a 'safe address', a workplace or a friend's house.

You can also post things to a post office so OP you could collect it from there ad not need to give your address, this is obviously fine for clothes but not so much for a supermarket delivery.

MNHQ

Could MN have some sort of virtual clothes/food/toys bank?

I know you always say don't give more than you can lose and people may not be who they are.

Maybe through the 'local' sites and linked to local food banks. So someone like the OP could be given a voucher by the food bank for a MN bank.

[SoftBlocks]

All the best for the future

[Coffeebean76]

We all should help each other.
Thank you - you have reminded me to donate today..

[icelollycraving]

I donate on ocado. They basically double your donation with what the food bank needs. It’s a fantastic idea, they should promote it more.
Op, new beginnings for you & yours.

[GertrudeCB]

You are an amazing woman op - best of luck to you and your dc. I'm another person who you have inspired to donate to my local foodbank today.

[AuntieStella]

I donate on Ocado every shop, and sometimes take stuff directly to the food bank sometimes.

I do quite a lot of running events, where there are often freebies at the finish (high protein snack bars being particularly common right now) so I tend to liberate those and take them in. I guess they'd be good for lunchboxes or treats.

There can be fresh food that's why food banks ask for cash or pariticipate with Ocado. But they order what they need when they need it, after checking with service users whether they have access to a kitchen or any cooking facilities at all.

[Bloodybridget]

Wishing you all the luck in the world and a much brighter future, OP. And thank you for posting; you've nudged me to promise myself I'll make a weekly donation to a food bank.

[Bringbackthestripes]

Wishing you and your DC a very safe and happy future

[DuggeesWoggle]

OP thanks for taking the time with everything you have going on to give some feedback on what you appreciate/would like from a food bank. Gives us a better idea of what to do ate. Will make a note to put toothpaste and toiletries in next time!

All the best, I hope this is the start of a peaceful and happy life for you and your DC.

[Slowcookervegan]

Good luck for the future

[GottenGottenGotten]

With everything you are going through, you take time to come in here and post this?

That just goes to show what a thoughtful, generous person you are.

I'm so glad that you have found a way out, and are safe. This is the start of a brighter future for you all.

Thank you for posting.

[EvenLess]

So touched by your post OP and pleased for you that you got away I hope this is the beginning of a lovely life for you and your DC

[proudestofmums]

Thank you for posting, OP nd all strength. This is genuinely not virtue signalling, but because I tended to forget to get something for the food bank in my supermarket I have now set up a direct debit each month to Trussell Trust. I still buy things when I remember and tend to focus on treats so it was great to learn that the little haribos etc were valued. Supermarket here I come.

[Namechangeymcnamechange11]

Very many 'well dones' for getting you and your DCs to safety. I know how hard it is to get away and I didn't even have children to think about.
Onwards and upwards for you all.

[Honeyroar]

A really lovely thread to read. Best of luck OP.x

[HebeMumsnet]

This is just lovely, OP, and such a useful thread. Lots of luck with your new start. You've inspired me to put some Monster Munch in the foodbank box next time I go to the supermarket, and what a nice idea about the little bags of sweets. Wishing you and your DC all the very best for the future.

[Roomba]

So glad you've got away, OP. And glad you had a good experience at the food bank! I know how humiliating it feels to have to go in there, the people who run my local one are so brilliant and I was incredibly thankful to them and those who donate. As soon as I was able to I set up a very small direct debit to help them, and would encourage anyone who is able to to do the same (it angers me that they are even necessary but that's a whole other thread).

Good luck to you and your DC - you've absolutely done the best thing for them.