What to give vegan at foodbank?

kacie

The foodbank here is attached to the community garden, so they grow veggies there and then the foodbank can pass them on the people in need, although they often have veggies leftover as some people just don't want them. If there are veg leftover the volunteers are welcome to take it home though, so it doesn't get wasted.

purpleybat

this thread has prompted me to look up our own local food bank and see what's on their list. they have a general list (that includes coffee and not tea) and an urgently needed list.


I have to admit I was a bit surprised to see sugar on the urgently needed list! who NEEDS sugar? I rarely buy (unless I'm going to make jam for pals with summer fruit foraging) it so it threw me
ive emailed to see if they want any homemade jam (jam is on their list, not peanut butter or marmite) but I think cos my kitchen hasn't been checked they'll say no in case I poison someone.


out of the limited list (it is very limited, nothing inspiring) i've decided to spend the £20 I have for my nephew's birthday pressie (he's okayed this) on uht milk, dried mash, and whatever tinned veg to take the total up. this is what they say their desperate for and I think with the 3 items I can get a fair bit.


no where on the site does it mention stuff for people on restricted diets so I think when I drop it in i'll ask them. I have plenty of birthdays coming up for people that are happy to donate their pressies.

Tiddlywinks

My local foodbank has posted notices at all its collection points saying they don't want any more pasta, rice, beans, or powdered milk.

Now, this got my goat a bit.... when I was going through really bad times myself I lived on rice and pasta - even just on its own.... needs must and all that.

Yes, I support the need to provide emergency supplies for people in need BUT why so choosy?

I don't think those with moral or religious convictions should be forced to eat foods which cause them conflict so the OP is being very helpful and caring in asking her questions and trying to help. However, I also feel that people receiving the help should accept that the choice of available foods at the foodbank will be limited and likely to be at the more affordable end of groceries.

Foodbanks should be there for temporary assistance to those in immediate need - surely living on rice or pasta or beans on toast for six weeks max is not the worst thing that could ever happen (health conditions notwithstanding) .... it's not an uncivilised diet as thousands of students will confirm.

It's time for people to start understanding the difference between 'needs' and 'wants'.

Pop_Up_Pirate

jackyann wrote: »

We may all have our opinions about how reasonable it is to be vegan, especially if asking for help at a food bank.
However, the workers at a food bank must be respectful and do their best to accommodate people who have ethical or religious objections to eating certain foods.
Depending on the policy of the foodbank, they may have to say 'This is what we have, you must make your choice from these items'. I think it reasonable to ask why they don't eat rice, as their reply may help (do they know how to cook it? )
The Vegetarian Society have information on vegan foods. I know that most baked beans are vegan - always a good bet. Any pulses will be nutritious. Oats can be made up with water.
Do you have contact with a dietician? Most foodbanks do, and they can help you draw up a vegan list.

In everyday society, yes, we should be respectful of other people's food choices and accommodate their needs in restaurants, cafes etc as so many people have differing religious and/or moral beliefs.
However, when people turn up at a food bank, which is principally there to provide food for those who are unable to buy any and are hungry, then beggars can't be choosy and ought to be more grateful for what they get.
To turn round and say "I don't eat meat", then sorry, you're not hungry enough.

I'm pretty sure many homeless people, who scavenge in bins for bits of food, don't keep hold of their religious and moral eating habits.

If I were ever in need of a food bank, I would gladly accept beans and bread even though I don't eat either.

caronc

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

My local foodbank has posted notices at all its collection points saying they don't want any more pasta, rice, beans, or powdered milk.

Now, this got my goat a bit.... when I was going through really bad times myself I lived on rice and pasta - even just on its own.... needs must and all that.

Yes, I support the need to provide emergency supplies for people in need BUT why so choosy?

I don't think those with moral or religious convictions should be forced to eat foods which cause them conflict so the OP is being very helpful and caring in asking her questions and trying to help. However, I also feel that people receiving the help should accept that the choice of available foods at the foodbank will be limited and likely to be at the more affordable end of groceries.

Foodbanks should be there for temporary assistance to those in immediate need - surely living on rice or pasta or beans on toast for six weeks max is not the worst thing that could ever happen (health conditions notwithstanding) .... it's not an uncivilised diet as thousands of students will confirm.

It's time for people to start understanding the difference between 'needs' and 'wants'.

I think this gets posted by the Foodbanks from time to time not due to the recipients being choosey but the Foodbank itself either struggling to store stuff, trying to offer a mix of stuff or needing food that doesn't require cooking as such so they can help people who have limited means for preparing food. Ours had a "shout out" recently for instant noodles, mash, cupasoup etc. basically anything that could make a hot meal if you only had a kettle

Ilona

Pop_Up_Pirate wrote: »

To turn round and say "I don't eat meat", then sorry, you're not hungry enough.

Thankfully I don't need a food bank, but if someone expected me to tuck into a plate of dead flesh I would be physically sick. I would rather go scavenging on fields for the odd potato, beans and peas, and carrots, left over from harvesting.

Ilona

Pop_Up_Pirate

Ilona wrote: »

Thankfully I don't need a food bank, but if someone expected me to tuck into a plate of dead flesh I would be physically sick. I would rather go scavenging on fields for the odd potato, beans and peas, and carrots, left over from harvesting.

Ilona

That is easy to say by anyone who is not hungry and knows where their next meals are coming from.
It's easy for me to say "No way would I eat anything cooked in vegetable oil" but if I were in a position with no money, no money coming, I hadn't eaten for a week, and I had nothing in my sights, I would wolf down what I was presented with as anyone else would.

Given a choice creates fussiness.
We have all developed our own 'Fussy' ways of eating, whether that's down to veganism, religion, low fat, low carbs, paleo or just plain "I don't like...." because we have a choice and the more choice we have, the 'fussier' we become.

If a foodbank supplied everyone who came to them with a packet of rice, a packet of dried mince, and a packet of dried vegetables, their hunger needs are met.
Asking them what their dietary needs are complicates the issue (preventing a person from going hungry), and perpetuates the 'fussiness; which is created by those who have a choice.
Going to a foodbank is for those people who have no choice and if you can still CHOOSE to be fussy, then you simply aren't that hungry/

NewShadow

Pop_Up_Pirate wrote: »

Going to a foodbank is for those people who have no choice and if you can still CHOOSE to be fussy, then you simply aren't that hungry/

If I were in a plane crash in the alps and stranded for weeks - then yes, it's likely I'd start chowing down on fellow (deceased) passengers regardless of my normal dietary preferences.

Do we really want/need people to be that desperate before we're willing to help them?

It would be just as easy to give everyone a bag of rice, a bag of veg and a bag of pulses - plus it would be cheaper and therefore you can help more people.

LameWolf

Ilona wrote: »

Thankfully I don't need a food bank, but if someone expected me to tuck into a plate of dead flesh I would be physically sick. I would rather go scavenging on fields for the odd potato, beans and peas, and carrots, left over from harvesting.

Ilona

Precisely. My body does not accept meat as food, and rejects it in a rather spectacular way. Not everyone who is vegetarian chooses to be for moral/religious reasons.

Caterina

I can't believe that I come back after a few weeks away and this thread is still attracting spiteful comments about vegans and vegetarians who use the foodbanks. Thank you to all the people who have made compassionate and sensitive comments and who have challenged the prejudices. But I am so very sad about the intolerance of some.