What to donate to foodbank at Christmas

Eliza_2

I work (paid) in a Food Bank and we would have loved this. We make up extra special parcels for families at Christmas and to be able to give luxurious pressies such as this is brilliant.

Trussell Trust foodbanks are quite strict I believe, but we are an independent charity and accept anything and items such as toiletries, sanitary stuff, deod, toilet rolls, hand cream, shaving stuff, washing up liquid, nappies, washing powder, soap, pet food etc etc etc, really welcome. Not to say that the countless tins of beans and tomatoes aren't welcome, but if you're short of food you're going to be short of the other stuff too.

We also accept anything we can sell at tombolas, white elephant stalls etc. Also sleeping bags, blankets in clean and good condition. If people can't afford good food they may also be in need of warmer bedding than usual.

We would either have given this to a large family or left it open in reception and offered a handful to everyone who came in.

Sad story op.

Butterfly_Brain

Our local food banks, (some are Trussell trust ones) have a special Christmas drive and are asking for some luxury items such as sweets, Christmas puddings, mince pies and anything else that would make a nice treat for those with precious little at Christmas, they are even asking for little gifts for the children of these families, nothing is ever turned down.

We also have a fledgling incredible edible site if people want some fresh veg, but it is out of the way of a lot of people, hopefully more people will get on board next year.

What a horrible thought that someone who works with the most disadvantaged has such a miserable attitude at this time of year

If the food banks want to be uncharitable at Christmas if you know of a family that is struggling why not just leave a little Christmas parcel on their doorstep, ring the bell and run around the corner.

Say_who?

Our foodbank has REQUESTED luxury items for Christmas. It was a lovely thought please don't let one person put you off x

luxor4t

I have just checked the local foodbank website - tinned or packet food only on the list. No toiletries, pet food or 'treats'. Ooops, I donated toiletries & cleaning stuff at Harvest.

gayleygoo

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

If the food banks want to be uncharitable at Christmas if you know of a family that is struggling why not just leave a little Christmas parcel on their doorstep, ring the bell and run around the corner.

That sounds like a nice idea However in N.I. such "abandoned" items usually cause a security alert. It might seem a bit ridiculous but if someone left a big tin on my doorstep I'd consider evacuating the area, warning the neighbours and phoning the police! Well, I'd be suspicious anyway

Can't believe the food bank woman turned away a box of chocolates! She could have left the tin open for people to take some as they left if they couldn't have been handed out. There are a few organisations round here who organise food hampers at christmas, for elderly people and low-income families, and they ask specifically for luxury foods and treats. I don't see why getting one or two luxury items would make a person using a food bank "expect" it everytime - and if they don't get a christmas treat from a food-bank they may not get one at all

quietheart

Pitlanepiglet wrote: »

I imagine the food bank lady was probably a volunteer, very few food banks pay staff.

For the animal lovers amongst us, I was talking to the lovely lady who runs our food bank and she said that they have a rule of not using food bank money to buy pet food. She recognises that for many people in crisis pets are a real lifeline but they can't justify spending food bank money in that way however if pet food is donated they will issue it as needed.

I usually give money but I'm going to give pet food in the future as well as some cash.

Nice idea. Lots of people come in and are really upset that they can't get anything for their animals.

quietheart

And Foodbanks are a bit over cautious but it's not worth taking a risk with food.
If you'd come into the Food Bank where I helped I would've asked if it was ok to leave them open in the cafe area where service users wait to be seen. Then everyone who visits gets a treat!

inkie

I run a church food bank, and I would have welcomed them. What I do with big packs of things, whether this be chocolates/mushrooms/sack of spuds and such like is give the folk some food bags and let them put some in a bag to take away. I show them the date on the food from the large packet that they are taking it from and so they now that they are in date. Sorry you've had a bad experience OP.

snookey

Workhouse ideology , dont give them anything but the bare basics.

Maybe they think people will come to expect more. Its stupid.

BobQ

I think there must be an element of fairness here. If the FB can take goods that are on a specified list its far easier to make up parcels of similar staple foods (or indeed special Xmas items). Having one pack with a big tin of chocolates is not fair on others they may feel and may create questions when someone visits and sees the person before them get a box of chocolates they are not offered.