food banks collecting in supermarkets

[TotallySociallyInept]

I popped into a supermarket on my way home. Not in the town I usually shop. This town is notorious for it very wealthy residents the whole area is. There was someone collecting for the food bank in the foyer. Lots of people took a list leaflet (they didn't have to, the fb person wasn't in the way or holding them out to people) I took one too. As I went round I tried to get as much as I could afford for the bank. In the past I have come very close to needing a fb. So my heart goes out to people and families that need them especially near Xmas. I'm not at all well off now. But I felt I could do this even if I may regret it later on in the month. I spent about £25-30. I take ages to shop. So when I came to hand over 3 bags to the bank, I was shocked to see the trolleys almost as empty as I went in and the fb person surprised I was giving him bags instead of 1 or 2 items. I wondered if this was normal? if they collect in less affluent areas, do they get more donations because people have more empathy? Or is just me?

Xmasbaby
That was part of my original post. Was about empathy. I may have a standing order to cancer research then think my 'charity' was done. But because I have been close to needing a fb in the past it struck a cord with me and bought what I could afford. Because I empathise with the situation. I wouldn't judge anyone for giving what they feel appropriate, because they are giving The post was about whether empathy has anything to do with it.

Thank you to everyone who has posted with advice on what is needed and how best to help.

I've been thinking about doing more to help this Christmas and there were some volunteers collecting items outside my local sainsburys. I took the list and bought a giant box of Cheerios and a bag of pasta. I intend to buy something each time I go (which is pretty often! ). They were collecting loads, which I was glad about. The list went something like:

• cereals
• Christmas chocolates
• biscuits
• Tinned fruit
• tinned tomatoes
• tinned soup
• pasta
• UHT milk

Can't remember the rest! Hope that helps...

I usually only donate a couple of items to the food bank collection point in the supermarket, but the supermarket I usually shop in has a permanent collection point and I donate something in there each time I go there. I couldn't afford to buy several bags worth of stuff for the food bank every time I go to the supermarket. If the supermarket the OP was in also had a permanent collection point, then regular shoppers may also be in the habit of donating small amounts regularly, rather than lacking in empathy.

The shopping list up at the collection point only lists food items though, so I hadn't really thought about toiletries.

we are not one pay packet off.. a few more but probably not enough for ex to find new work, nor me to get back into the labour market... (child with ASD makes things a bit more difficult)

If you check online before you shop, your local fb will probably have a lost of what it needs now as well as a suggestion of usual things it needs. For example, last week ours said no more toothbrushes, size 2 or 3 nappies or UHT milk but that they did need size 6 nappies & squash.

I need to know more about foodbanks, who can go there (everyone)? Basically, can people go there just because they think it's free, even if they don't need to? Is it a bit like freecycle (which got ruined by chancers)? I know too many chancers in life, sadly, and it has made me suspicious (wish I wasn't)

And if food banks are needed, clearly the government is not doing a good job! The real solution would be for benefits to go up so people can live on them? Can that ever happen?

Chandon- usually people can come three times, and they are issued with a ticket from school/health visitor/ss/doctors/nursery/etc

We also have what's known as the under the stairs cupboard". Anything with less than 3 months left date wise goes there, and food parcels are given to anyone who asks, or we know of in need but may not ask.

Chandon, people have to be referred by official partners of the FB - Drs, HVs, schools etc. They may get a voucher but it is normal practice to only be able to visit 3 times. FBs are gap fills, not permanent solutions.

So, if you are newly unemployed and won't have any money until your first 'giro' then the FB will tide you over. Or newly employed and there is that gap between giro and paycheque, the FB will tide you over.

It is never offered as a long term solution, people are referred on if needed.

Im another one who has never thought to donate more than 1 or 2 tins.

I love MN for opening my eyes sometimes.

And if food banks are needed, clearly the government is not doing a good job! The real solution would be for benefits to go up so people can live on them? Can that ever happen?

Part of the problem is not the official level of benefits, although this is perilously low, especially if you're young and single.

The biggest problems are the nasty little additions that this Government has introduced, especially widespread benefit sanctions. Although they officially deny this, Job Centres are under a lot of pressure to stop peoples' benefits for the flimsiest of excuses, such as attending a job interview at a time when they're supposed to be signing on. Which equals 6 weeks of no money, or more, with no notice. (You can appeal this decision- but the appeals process takes longer than 6 weeks).

There's also the problem of the time it takes to receive your payment when you first make a claim, or when you report a change of circumstances.

Also, although benefit levels are supposed to be calculated to be just enough to live on, recent introductions such as partial liability for council tax, and bedroom tax, have just been slapped on top of this, with no increase in benefits. Meaning, if your benefits= just enough to live on, your benefits - bedroom tax and partial council tax= you're really in the shit.

Nomama

I make burgers with tinned beans, usually aduki but oothers work, basically mash half the beans and leave the other half whole, mash them together and form in to burgers or balls.

They stay together better with a bit of egg and I like to add some seasoning but it is perfectly edible without.

Which brings me to another point I've often thought fb food seems to be quite bland, is it worth fitting in some spices/herbs?

Tinned chickpeas make a great humus, which you could do in your class because people might not have a chopper/blender and take home.

Molesbreath
The fact that you are donating is what counts.
I have thought long and hard about my original post and my own wondering.
I can completely understand why some people didn't like the tone of my first post.
I conclude that although I talked about empathy, my own empathy was quite lacking. It took me seeing someone right infront of me to kid me up the arse to donate. I had been meaning to donate for along time, but never took the time to find my local fb. I think guilt at not doing something sooner when I was meaning to, was a big contributing factor to why I spent what I did, and yet there are many people out there like your self who have being giving already, long before my own guilt empathy came into players.
I can now see why it can come across as judgey and I apologies for not thinking through my own behaviour before posting.

You sound like a woman after my own heart sashh, and this is why I find the FB lists so difficult....That's the kind of food I used to make when I had hardly any money myself (except for the hummus, which kind of needs tahini to make it nice, hence is quite pricey).

But it would seem that most people who use food banks either really don't want to eat that kind of food, or can't afford to cook it. (It's a bit tough if you're an exception to the rule- DP has a lot of clients who go to food banks- in fact he is one of the Hander- Outs- of- Vouchers- and he has one who likes to eat healthily and cook for himself, who gets extremely dismayed by being given tins of mince and potatoes....he does, however, take lots of pasta).

It reminds me of when I lived in Italy, and knew someone who used to organise food collections for Bosnia.....they sent tons and tons of pasta and tomatoes over, which remained largely untouched....because Bosnians don't eat pasta, have never eaten pasta, and didn't really know what to do with it (they wanted meat and potatoes, apparently).

I still can't bring myself to donate Smash or Pot Noodles though- I'd better stick to peanut butter I guess......

we take 2 trolleys - one for us and the other for food bank. We usually have 2 carrier bags of food plus nappies for my little boy to put in (with explanation weekly of why we are doing it). I'm usually upset to note that we at least double the amount left in the collection point.

(if it wasn't for my partner being awesome and supporting us from the start, I'd have had to go to food bank to feed my kids earlier this year)

stubborn

I think there is another thing, if you use a food bank you have to eat what food you have. If you know your children will eat tinned meat and smash then you are not going to try something new in case you

sorry cliked post

in case you don't like it or your children won't eat it.

Lovely update, Totally, well done

"The biggest problems are the nasty little additions that this Government has introduced, especially widespread benefit sanctions."

Did you know about the latest wheeze? If you think they've awarded you the wrong level of benefit, you have to apply for a mandatory reconsideration before you even think of going to court. Benefit payments are stopped during reconsideration! The reconsideration can take months.

This is another great MN thread as a pp said. MN opens my eyes. I always donate a tin of 'something', but never thought much beyond that. Today I donated a 6 pack of dog food plus some fancy chocolate and orange thins as a Christmas treat for someone. I also asked DH if he minded us doing a big ALDI full-trolley shop next week- all for the foodbank, and mainly things like nappies, pet food etc plus Christmas treats. We tend to give a big donation to our church, but this year I think I am going to re-direct it and give a smaller donation to the church. (Much much smaller). I was a bit complacent in my giving..... I donate a tin of something. Usually tinned beans etc. This thread opened my eyes about what might actually be valued more.

Anyone know if it's ok to donate things like paracetamol/cold and flu sachets/vaporub?

Thank you GarlicGifts

CornChips, reading what you intend to do has brought a lump to my throat. All the lovely people who who have posted information and advice really helps me too, to know how I can go about donating in the future.

I was wondering how I could later ask MNHQ how to move this Thread to a permanent board. As its in chat but there is so much helpful information on it. It would be a shame to lose it in 90days

I wish our supermarket were collecting or had a fb stand there as it would remind me to do it, I keep seeing a facebook post shared for the one in my local area but then forget when their collection days are and where it is