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

Aww this has made me feel a bit better today.

I oversee food bank donations at work (we do a bulk donation every couple of months) and the volunteers are bloody amazing people.

Glad to know it's all going to help.

@Fantina - It depends a bit on your local food bank. Ours has a big box at the front where they keep things like condiments, herbs and spices so people can take what they want/need. They've also told me that they very rarely have snacks and treats (dried fruit, crisps, biscuits, oat bars etc) and long life ready meals (not everyone has access to proper cooking facilities).

Honestly its my pleasure you keep strong - i always try and put an item or two in the food bank as a pp said even a cheap packet of pasta some weeks.

Many years ago I had to flee to a refuge with two toddlers just before Christmas. I was broke and had no money for gifts but a few days before Christmas day the refuge received several sacks of donated toys. so they ended up with some lovely gifts that year. The kindness of strangers means so much.

OP wishing you all the very best for the future. From here on things will get better and best of all you are free

Glad you are safe now OP I think you have inspired lots of us to donate

I'm so glad I saw this post...I often feel so down when putting things in the collection box - like its such a drop in the ocean. So hearing it can actually make a difference is genuinely lovely.

Lovely of you to have taken the time and effort to make such a lovely post Op. Good luck for the future

I just put a few bags of sweets in our local one tonight, on top of the usual pasta and sauces I usually put in. I'd never have thought of it before.

Thank you for your thank you. Much appreciated.

Your post has made me cry

Didn’t know you could donate via Ocado. Off to investigate.

You are awesome and courageous OP; thank you for posting. Sending love to you and your children.

We normally put in Cheerios (DD’s priority) and heavy duty Always pads (mine), which is a slightly random combination. I try to add other bits when I can but it’s really good to be reminded of how important it is. You’ve inspired me to donate a bit more when my pay clears on Monday

Enjoy your new life not walking on eggshells.

I always put something in the food bank basket when I'm in. You never know when you're going to need their help.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful new life.

That you have taken the time - at this difficult time - to say thank-you speaks volumes about you. Thank-you for your thoughtfulness.

Wishing you a safe and healthy future OP

So welcome OP, this is exactly why many of us donate.

So glad you got away and are safe. What a lovely thank you op.
I love that there was a bag of monster munch. I always put chocolate/sweets/crisps in the food bank as i like to think of people, especially children, having a little treat when things are tough. Food to eat is obvs the priority but everyone needs a treat

Best of luck for the future to you and your DC

I usually donate biscuits.

Best of luck for your future, it’s going to be great. 👍🏻💐🍫🍪

What a lovely post. Wishing you and your DC all the very best

Our tesco and coop have collection points all year, though our coop is tiny, so the funeral parlour across the road takes the collections.

For anyone who has used the banks - what items made you smile or think ‘thank god’?

It’s easy to pop in whatvwe think people want but is there much call for special diet foods (ie gluten free)?

I wouldn’t put in anything that’s specially branded as gluten free. Because they will end up going in the general pile and be taken by someone who is not gluten free, who will throw it in the bin because most “ gluten free” products are horrible.

Also the demand is low, so Gf bread would go out of date. GF biscuits are very fragile and would get broken and binned.

And of course, all manufactured GF food is horrendously expensive.

The majority of foods from the food bank are naturally Gf anyway. Here’s a typical list

Cereal
Soup
Pasta
Rice
Tinned tomatoes/ pasta sauce
Lentils, beans and pulses
Tinned meat
Tinned vegetables
Tea/coffee
Tinned fruit
Biscuits
UHT milk
Fruit juice

Of these, only the pasta, cereal and biscuits are not GF and maybe some tinnned soups. Of course, FB also give out ( gluten containing ) bread as well.

The microwave packets of rice would be more useful to a Gf person that biscuits TBH. Or the packs of three Twirls or similar chocolate bars ( instead of biscuits ). Aldi sell their own brand of pringles which are gluten free ( branded Pringles are not ).

Chocolate and crisps are the “ treats “ that most Gf people eat IME, unless they do a lot of home baking or are rich ( so not most foodbank users ! ).

That’s good to know - I hate the idea of someone with a bit of an allergy or food intolerance having to ‘manage’ with foods that may make them feel sickly or have to go without.

Obviously I’m not meaning full blown allergies or coeliacs etc.

All the above foods are Ok for coeliacs as well. But thank you for thinking of us .

I'm terrible for remembering what type of things the food bank asks for, so I set up a £10 a month direct debit for my local one. They can then buy the things they need or are running low of. Even a couple of pounds a month would help them greatly, there are so many families who need help.

OP, I hope things work out ok for you