Flat clearance

Lurker1972

Due to bereavement, we are in the process of clearing a family members flat.

Bulky items that can be shared out amongst the family have been, as have smaller mementos. Old blankets and towels etc have gone to a local animal rescue, the plan is to use a charity house clearance for the rest of the stuff, but we are left with the food n toiletries stash.

And there is quite the stash.

We are talking loo rolls, tissues, kitchen towel, shower gels, body lotions, toothpaste, hotel complementary toiletries by the bucket load, washing liquid, bleach, softener, washing up liquid, beans, soup, coffee, sweet corn....general tins & jars of fruit.

This is where it feels conflicted. I hate to see anything wasted and know that we ( and other family members) could make use of most of it. But equally there are people out there that are in much more need than we are and I feel that rather than cherry picking the best bits, we should be passing the whole lot on to a food bank/ homeless shelter.

What would you do?

GreyQueen

I've read of similar things inc the entire contents of larders, and toiletries, being successfully offered on Freegle/ Freecycle. Could you do an internet search for a group in your area?

Also, never ignore the obvious; a box outside with a big FREE! Help yourself! sign.

Good luck.

lushlifesaver

I would probably look at donating what ever wasn't wanted to local refuges/food banks/Salvation Army/ soup kitchens/other community projects.


Many always need such supplies and it could be lovely for them to offer them to service users/be able to save even just a little on the cost of them

PasturesNew

I took the tinned foods to the local food bank, where they met the criteria. Main issue there was "tins must be in date" because there were a lot of out of date tins in the cupboards.

Homeless charities and food banks are who I'd contact.

arbroath_lass

Lurker1972 wrote: »

And there is quite the stash.

We are talking loo rolls, tissues, kitchen towel, shower gels, body lotions, toothpaste, hotel complementary toiletries by the bucket load, washing liquid, bleach, softener, washing up liquid, beans, soup, coffee, sweet corn....general tins & jars of fruit.

This is where it feels conflicted. I hate to see anything wasted and know that we ( and other family members) could make use of most of it. But equally there are people out there that are in much more need than we are and I feel that rather than cherry picking the best bits, we should be passing the whole lot on to a food bank/ homeless shelter.

What would you do?

What would your relative have done? Were they the type to give you stuff on your way out the door? Or would/did they donate to a particular charity?

I must admit, in my family, the items would go to family members first.

savetosave

Hi
How about a compromise and give half to the food bank and share half out amongst the family, or perhaps there is someone in the family who could do with an extra helping hand.
I wouldn't offer it for free on Facebook or somewhere similar as it's not always people who need it most that will ask.

springdreams

arbroath_lass wrote: »

I must admit, in my family, the items would go to family members first.

I agree with this.

When we cleared my mum's flat after she passed, my brothers, sister and I chose the bits we wanted, including from the food stores and toiletries, then donated what was left.

There is nothing wrong with cherry picking the bits you would use, and donating the rest. I would think your relative would have wanted you to have the bits you would use, and donate what you could not use or did not want elsewhere.

Hermia

I was in a similar situation and let family/friends have first pick, advertised the rest on Freecycle and chucked what was left. I did like the idea of helping people, but whenever I rang organisations I just kept being told to bring the items to them, but only on Weds between 10-3 or they sad they'd collect stuff, but couldn't come for another three weeks. I was grieving and also having to deal with work and did not need all this additional stress. So, don't get caught up in doing the right thing if it causes you stress you don't need.

Hard_Up_Hester

Charity begins at home, so it would go to family in my case. I have also cleared out 2 properties after the death of family members & helped a friend after the death of her mother, the amount of hassle trying to donate made it not worth the effort. One of the local charities wouldn't accept donations % asked us to donate to Head Office 15 miles away, one only wanted new stuff with labels on, they made an already difficult situation, much worse.
The charities that were most helpful were the RAF charity who turned up on time & took anything we didn't want & a little local hospice charity who again accepted anything.
Hester

Lurker1972

Thank you for the replies, and suggestions

Ahh well, families......there are 3 households involved in the clearance and it seems that rather than communicate a plan one household has decided what to do and it's all being split evenly.

So my plan is to price up the stuff that comes our way and purchase the equivalent value foods for the local food bank which should ease my conscience.... I get a cupboard full if cleaning bits, people who need it get food. Win win, I think

scaredy_cat

a charity called Emmaus would take the furniture, not sure about the food items.

http://www.emmaus.org.uk/