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?

Re bread - we have been donated (and given out) the packs of rolls you bake in the oven. I'm not sure what they are called, but come in a multi pack and just need ten minutes baking.

inthedark
Yes yes. The one that I feel is most problematic is 0 hours contracts. Not been given the sercuity of regular hours or just a few here and there. But it looks good grow the gov statists because the are employed. I know people who were in a job for years the get made redundant, they went out and looked and got work but the vast majority of the jobs going were 0 hours.

for not grow

Oh thank you caulthead

And for the job you do and manning this thread
Thank you

No problem, and thank you to all of you who donate

I'll be in work in about 45 minutes. Would anyone like to see photos of the foodbank to get an idea of stuff/brands etc donated? We are an independent one, in Birmingham.

totally Someone who works at a food bank commented on another thread that their FB supplements all the donated food with bread, eggs and milk- but I don't know if they all do it?

I'd appreciate that, Caulk, thank you.

Caulkhead
I would please

I live in a relatively affluent area. All the Big 4 supermarkets have collection boxes, usually filled with individual items. But in the run-up to Xmas I have noticed that there are more full bags of groceries being donated than individual items.

Would love to see your photos Caulkhead.

Re bread totally I have donated pitta breads before, as they are long life and only need a quick whack in the toaster to be really nice. I figured they would go well with tinned soup or could be used for packed lunches (tuna pitta? Jam pitta?) or with jam/peanut butter for breakfast. I hope those sorts of products are ok? They weren't on our FB's list but as they are long life and don't need lots of cooking I hoped they would be alright. Wraps are usually long life too so presumably ok?

Great thread, as I have already said, but filled with so much useful info. I very nearly bought a load of cold and flu tabs today for the fb, but did not, which is a good thing it seems!

Also, thanks growl for the tax info. That is really useful info too, as I fill out a self assessment. I have never before claimed for charity donations (I always tick giftaid so think (?) I cannot). But that will not be the case with a massive trolley shop for the FB.

Tinned veg/tomatoes

Soup

Beans

Amongst the toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, sanitary pads and washing powder I donated this morning, I chucked in 10 advent calendars as they were only 50p each.
I got a bit tearful doing that tbh.
Stupid hormones.

Pasta

Tinned fruit

New box with toilet rolls/toothpaste and food in.

Sorry they took so long to load, slow internet!

I don't give because despite what is said I don't accept there is a genuine need in this country to donations of actual food. I would put some money in a tin to finance a small loans/grant scheme to those who have benefits timing problems etc. I feel more comfortable with the idea of providing money for people to buy what they actually need rather than being issued with items from a standard list.

There is a genuine need for food. There is a genuine need for small grants/loans too but food is an absolute priority. Of course people can buy the food that they like and want if they have the cash and they can also put money in the gas/ electric meter but when somebody is in crisis I think a food parcel can be a lifesaver.
I would also rather food parcels be given instead of cash because unfortunately in cases of addiction or where people have got into bother with loan sharks cash might not no be used for food. Budgeting is also an issue for some people and giving them £5 in cash they might just buy a few branded items and feed themselves for one day but giving them £5 worth of basics foods means they can feed themselves for three days (maybe not with the things they would usually buy but decent enough food nonetheless).

I appreciate what you are saying higgle but having been involved in FBs for several years now it is true to say that, for some people, managing money is very, very difficult and by giving a small grant/loan it wouldn't necessarily mean that money was spent on food.

Another scheme we ran recently (by a Church group - which I know are deeply unpopular on Mumsnet) was to offer lunches for school children during the holidays - when they do not receive their 'free school meals'.

I guess it depends on your criteria for genuine need. We don't question every one who comes to our FB, we are not as 'strict' as the Trussel Food Banks and would never turn anyone away.

We accept bread at our FB but we are lucky enough to have a freezer so can store it if it is not all used on one day.

Our local one is run by the Trussell Trust, and the list is identical to IJust's - very restrictive. No baby items (nappies, milk and such-like), no sanpro products or toilet rolls. The list I was handed going into my local supermarket the other day also had lots of the items crossed out, so they've obviously received a glut of them. Couldn't get tinned sponge puddings (only microwave) and as the list specified tinned, I mentioned it to the store Manager, who said I was the second person to mention in that day, so he'd look into it. I bought a selection of tinned tomatoes, veg and tuna, jam, biscuits, Christmas chocs, biscuits, instant potato, multipacks of some things so they could possibly be split, but on the whole, not very inspiring

I might send Trussell an email to ask if they could add some more items to their list. The home-bake rolls are a good idea, as they have a longer shelf-life.

I suppose, in a way, if items have been crossed off for potential purchase, it is a good thing as it means people are donating, but if the list could be a bit more extensive, or a special one brought out for the Christmas period, that would be helpful for people wishing to donate.

When my daughters school collected for the local food bank they were told No baked beans or soup as it seems that is what most people automatically give.
We gave jelly, angel delight, instant mash, supper noodles and UHT milk from the list

We're associated with Trussel but not run by them - so we accept almost anything. And the person making up the box will attempt to mix supermarket and branded goods.
I'm j ust back from unpacking all the generous donations from the weekend. Some lovely Christmas treats especially for dcs.
We accept baby food, nappies etc. often get special requests for this kind of stuff. We had some bread donated and I think they'll make toast for the people collecting their food - we couldn't put it in a box.