What do you have in your store cupboard?

74jax

My friend has been made redundant and unfortunately the company she worked for hasn't been able to pay her salary as they promised.

I was thinking of putting a box of store cupboard stuff together for her as she was talking about bills/mortgage/food etc and rather than take her flowers and chocolate I thought I'd do this - it is the kind of thing she would like, so wouldn't be offended.

Only thing is, I don't have a store cupboard, she used to laugh at me as the only things I tend to always have in my cupboard are tins of tomatoes and rice :rotfl:

So................. what do you suggest I buy her? Things that she can make a variety of things with, I know it won't be helping her get her 5 a day etc and eating from fresh is better but it's more so that she has 'something' should she need it?

I thought of rice, dried pasta, and then got a bit stuck, what do people have? A packet of sauce would only do one meal, is there another option?

I thought of frozen veg too?

paulineb_2

Rice, lentils, stock cubes, pasta, tins of beans, I eat a lot of frozen spinach, one bag can make me about 4 or 5 meals. Also maybe stuff like crispbread, maybe tins of sweetcorn, Id also buy something like tortillas, fajitas so she can make some wraps. I also have stuff like spelt, polenta, cereals, soya milk. Couple of bags of potatoes maybe?

SavingPennies_2

Its a lovely idea. Some things to bear in mind though, is she someone who would appreciate this or might she be offended by what she may interpret as charity?

I say this as years ago when I didn't have much money a friend used to pass on some second hand clothes to me, I was always gracious and thanked her but I'm a very proud person (not saying that's a good thing) and deep down felt a little well embarrassed. The clothes weren't any better than any of mine and I didn't really need them that much. What Im saying is people can take things in the wrong way, even though you only mean to be kind.

If it was me Id avoid things that were too cheap as she may still be able to afford these and perhaps make it like a hamper with a few more "luxury" items, don't have to be expensive, some nice tea bags, choccie biscuits, then put a ribbon on etc, so it seems more like a gift than a "food parcel". Sorry I haven't explained myself well, hope this helps.

74jax

paulineb wrote: »

Rice, lentils, stock cubes, pasta, tins of beans, I eat a lot of frozen spinach, one bag can make me about 4 or 5 meals. Also maybe stuff like crispbread, maybe tins of sweetcorn, Id also buy something like tortillas, fajitas so she can make some wraps. I also have stuff like spelt, polenta, cereals, soya milk. Couple of bags of potatoes maybe?

Excellent ideas thank you - especially the potatoes, as you can have them so many different ways. Thanks for the tips!:beer:

SavingPennies wrote: »

Its a lovely idea. Some things to bear in mind though, is she someone who would appreciate this or might she be offended by what she may interpret as charity?

No she would be fine with it - we often buy each other groupon vouchers for spa days etc but the last two she bought were meals out so I 'owe' her a meal out voucher anyway. I do know what you mean though - some of my friends I wouldn't do this for but take a pizza round for something, this friend however would be fine with it.

A good idea about the more 'luxury' items though, I will defo get an extra special chocolate something :T

applecrumble24

Things you can make marinades and sauces with, so soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, worcester sauce, honey some herbs and spices?

gingin_2

That's a lovely idea.

Staples we have are

Tuna
Pasta
Rice
Beans - Baked, cannellini, butterbeans, chickpeas, kidney beans
Tinned tomatoes
Peanut butter
Chocolate spread :cool:
Sweet corn
Stock cubes
Oil
Biscuits
Breadsticks
Garlic and tomato puree
Noodles
Coffee
Tea Bags

Other things we always have are bread, cereal, cheese, butter, milk and eggs, diet coke , wine :o, onions, orange juice, frozen peas and spinach.

I think with all that I can make a number of meals - I am assuming your friend has a basic store cupboard of a few spices, herbs and condiments.

74jax

gingin wrote: »

That's a lovely idea.

Staples we have are

Tuna
Pasta
Rice
Beans - Baked, cannellini, butterbeans, chickpeas, kidney beans
Tinned tomatoes
Peanut butter
Chocolate spread :cool:
Sweet corn
Stock cubes
Oil
Biscuits
Breadsticks
Garlic and tomato puree
Noodles
Coffee
Tea Bags

Other things we always have are bread, cereal, cheese, butter, milk and eggs, diet coke , wine :o, onions, orange juice, frozen peas and spinach.

I think with all that I can make a number of meals - I am assuming your friend has a basic store cupboard of a few spices, herbs and condiments.

ooo Peanut butter - I know she love that!

I've also bought her a bag of bread mix to make her own bread...... That might be taking it a bit for though, but i'm sure she'll have chuckle at it when she see's it.

paulineb_2

Also, I hope shes getting some advice about what to do about the unpaid wages shes owed from that company.

Where does she shop, Im skint, which is a general state of affairs for me and Ive found aldi and home bargains a lifesaver, I also use approved foods now and then, has made a massive difference to my shopping deals.

Ive also found wowcher and kgbdeals to be a bit cheaper than groupon offers.

74jax

paulineb wrote: »

Also, I hope shes getting some advice about what to do about the unpaid wages shes owed from that company.

Where does she shop, Im skint, which is a general state of affairs for me and Ive found aldi and home bargains a lifesaver, I also use approved foods now and then, has made a massive difference to my shopping deals.

Ive also found wowcher and kgbdeals to be a bit cheaper than groupon offers.

A liquidation company has taken over the affairs of her old place of work and she has filled in the correct paperwork, however she's been told to wait 6 weeks for the outcome.

Gigglepig

I would throw in some luxuries, like chocolate, nice biscuits, some good coffee/tea, anything particular you know she likes and would miss. Sounds like she won't be able to buy luxuries for a while so it might brighten up her days a bit.

If she enjoys baking then ingredients for example for brownies and muffins, so she can make some treats too.

Eggs are great, filling and can be used for lots of different things, so I'd get a big tray of those.

If she has a freezer then a big bag of minced beef and a big bag of chicken breasts may be useful too, meat is expensive...

MrsRogers

Why not think of the reverse - store cupboard stuff is quite cheap it's the fresh people tend to compromise on. Why not do a small veg box xx