'supporting each other through really tough times'

Popperwell

I hadn't noticed that Mama:(how unobservant am I?

I don't always thank because some posts do not seem appropriate to thank or I was not part of that particular point being made. If you were offering me support when I am down or scared/need advice I would. Sometimes I don't post because I cannot add anything or have no knowledge of what is being discussed.

I never ignore as such and if I disagree I just say nothing. And then as has been said you can miss or forget to thank someone but there is nothing meant by it.

I have never seen the Thank You button in a derogatory way.

I'm not sure I should have said anything as I don't want anything to "Kick off"

Softstuff

GreyQueen wrote: »

Blimey, the cheek of them; I eat Basics brands and I could never see the situation where I'd buy premium brands to donate. If they're truthfully reporting the attitude of the food bank users, then those people need to get over themselves, IMO.

Anyroad, anyone who has worked in a food processing factory (like me) knows that the branded and ownbranded stuff is coming off the same lines and is often identical, or so nearly so that a blind taste-test would struggle to find the difference.

I couldn't say if it was the opinion of the organisers or of the users to be honest, but in either case it stopped me helping that local one. There was also an "adopt a family" campaign here, which I thought was a wonderful idea. You provided a family with all the aspects of a good Christmas. I thought we could do that, until I found out they didn't want any homemade foods or gifts....

Still, there are plenty of charities out there that do appreciate the same things we do and lots of opportunity to help.

Though on that subject I'm reminded of a lady I had a conversation with once. We'd been discussing how money was tight and I was extolling the virtues of the local charity shops. She was quite disgusted at the idea and said she'd never buy "used clothes or shoes". I guess money will still be tight for her, but for us things have improved and guess what, I still buy used clothes and shoes .

katieowl_2

I just called the college to speak to them about DS's bill...they won't talk to me about it, because he's 'over 18' :mad: I hung up on her!

He's still asleep of course. Occurs to me that if they want to play silly beggars, and insist it's his bill, then they will have to find some way of helping him, as he has no income at all!

Kate

katieowl_2

Softstuff wrote: »

I couldn't say if it was the opinion of the organisers or of the users to be honest, but in either case it stopped me helping that local one. There was also an "adopt a family" campaign here, which I thought was a wonderful idea. You provided a family with all the aspects of a good Christmas. I thought we could do that, until I found out they didn't want any homemade foods or gifts....

It's bonkers I agree, but I think they have to stick to health and safety stuff when they are handing food out, same as you would if you were selling it. It has to come from a registered and inspected premises. It's the same reason that the supermarkets destroy/bin out of date food and won't donate it, because if someone gets ill from eating it, they are apparently still liable (even if they fished it out of the bin)

I had the same thought to donate stuff left over from the stall when it's more than we can process in a week at home, but I was afraid they'd just say yes to be polite then bin it. I found a couple of families locally who were pleased to have cake for the kids.

Kate

Popperwell

Hi Softstuff,
Those collecting for the food bank over the weekend here welcomed everything that was offered. And yes just because I was pushed for time I did purchase the usual baked beans and cereal. But it was a decent brand of beans and when one can was 70p but I could have three for a £1 that was not a bad offer. I found another brand that had sausages included.

Another time I might think of UHT milk, pasta, soup, fruit juice or non food items if they are needed like toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, cleaning items...

As I write I could have perhaps considered porridge oats, rice pudding etc...perhaps another time. But as said by yourself, if you are having to buy a less well known brand, it seems a bit wrong buying a more expensive item for others(at least you are giving)and it will hopefully mean someone is not hungry.

It is not as if you are buying what would be seen as rubbish.

And of course there are generous people whatever your income level or what class you see yourself but often those with the least themselves give the most.

I think I will always have to use charity shops unless you get some retailers who are able to keep prices down...Yesterday, I spent approx £10 in the new Aldi's yesterday but for that I was able to get for winter(outdoors)but I will probably use them indoors too...some gloves/hat with that Thinsulate added to make them warmer, a woollen hat(I am unable to knit)and it similar to others I have and instead of a scarf I found a fleece neck warmer.

As for make and mend yesterday I was darning my thermal socks and some underpants...I'm not the greatest sewer in the world but good enough for me.

Glad that you found some use for your cakes Katie...my church still sell home made cakes on Saturday mornings to try and raise money but I bet most of these stalls are rare these days for all the reasons that you suggest.

Sunshine4

I wasnt going to post until the new year, but have been reading and was very sad to see Lyn saying she wasnt going to come back.
She is a lovely lady and never has a bad word to say to any one and is very helpful.
The reason I wasnt going to post is a few weeks ago my brother (70) got the all clear from cancer he was so excited we talked about how xmas would be special for him and his family this year. The following afternoon I had a call to tell me my brother had passed away suddenly he fell asleep and never woke up so the pass few weeks have been very surreal down then up then down.
I love coming on here and hearing about Kitcat, Ginnyknit and Stiltwalker stories about the kids they are all so special and about all our animals.
Life is so tough at times that it is so silly to get upset over who thanks who.
So please Lyn dont go and as Kitcat says this is her place she can come to so please everyone stay.
Life is too short for arguing

meme30

Well, I am in full batch making mode today. It's Pease Pudding making day here, I know, how much can you need. :rotfl:
It's become a tradition that I make it for several neighbours and family members so, 2 kilos of split peas later...
Actually it just suits the day here, nasty white stuff outside and lovely smell inside. On the plus side while I'm clartying about I'm far too mucky to do the ironing.

Softstuff:- that's just cheeky of them!

Mar:- We are just going to get the same old rubbish. The poor are too greedy and the rich [STRIKE]politicians[/STRIKE]folk are too busy hiding their tax money to really care. Which will all be said with a smug grin on his face. I'm not a violent woman but a custard pie some times looks very inviting!

Thriftkitten:-Have just looked at the Kings House webcam, Lovely place but it looks bl**dy freezing!

JKJ:- Sorry, I don't have a slowcooker so I am no help to you.:(

Sunshine:- I'm so sorry to read your news, it must have been an awful shock for you. Its very hard to lose a brother, I think we think to lose the older generation first but when it's our own generation it feels far too close. Yes life is far too short to be arguing over who thanks who.

Possession

Oh Kate how silly.
Thanks guys I try to not have TV etc before bedtime but it doesn't always work out like that. I can see I shall have to invest in some kind of calming music (it will drive me up the wall, ironically I can't bear calming music!).
Sunshine I'm terribly sorry to hear about your brother. (((hugs)))
JKJ I'd put it on for about 4 hrs and check the chicken is cooked then. There might be a bit of trial and error until you can figure out if it's permanently on high or low.

katieowl_2

Popperwell wrote: »

Hi Softstuff,
Those collecting for the food bank over the weekend here welcomed everything that was offered. And yes just because I was pushed for time I did purchase the usual baked beans and cereal. But it was a decent brand of beans and when one can was 70p but I could have three for a £1 that was not a bad offer. I found another brand that had sausages included.

Another time I might think of UHT milk, pasta, soup, fruit juice or non food items if they are needed like toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, cleaning items...

As I write I could have perhaps considered porridge oats, rice pudding etc...perhaps another time. But as said by yourself, if you are having to buy a less well known brand, it seems a bit wrong buying a more expensive item for others(at least you are giving)and it will hopefully mean someone is not hungry.

It is not as if you are buying what would be seen as rubbish.

And of course there are generous people whatever your income level or what class you see yourself but often those with the least themselves give the most.

I think I will always have to use charity shops unless you get some retailers who are able to keep prices down...Yesterday, I spent approx £10 in the new Aldi's yesterday but for that I was able to get for winter(outdoors)but I will probably use them indoors too...some gloves/hat with that Thinsulate added to make them warmer, a woollen hat(I am unable to knit)and it similar to others I have and instead of a scarf I found a fleece neck warmer.

As for make and mend yesterday I was darning my thermal socks and some underpants...I'm not the greatest sewer in the world but good enough for me.

Pops I think the thinking behind the stuff the food bank ask for is that it can simply be opened and eaten. I was thinking the same as you that if I was strapped for cash, what they are asking for would not be what I would choose, I'd go for porridge oats too...but if you don't have a cooker, or money for the gas/electric...a bowl of cornflakes would just be instant. I'm pretty sure that our local bank asked for rice pudding though. I'd also choose a bag of spuds and some onions!!! I must get my backside in gear though, and have a chat to these people about money saving cookery...maybe they'd let me run some classes for them?

Kate

meme30

Katieowl:- That's bad, I did not think about some people not being able to cook or heat up food. I suppose it's an awful sign of the times.

Kittie:- I read the Delia article, I wonder how many people do not realise that homemade food could make a Christmas dinner so reasonably priced.