What to give vegan at foodbank?

iammumtoone

Doom_and_Gloom wrote: »

It is a myth that veganism is expensive to do right. It can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it but it needn't be expensive to get the nutrition you need.

It's people thinking like you that has made me build up my stockpile of vegan foods even more. Tinned tomatoes currently have 26 of those (I used two in my slow cooker last night and still this is the number I have. I bought them when they were 25p a tin). Have over 20 tins of chickpeas, again bought when 25p a tin. Rice I have 10k+ easily. Pastas, rice noodles, quinoa, oats, flours, yeast etc. I have enough vegan milks for around half a year. When I see things in clearence or last chance to buy that are packets or tins that are vegan I'm there; I've had tins of soup for 10p buying like this. I've bought extras steadily each time I shop to spread the cost. I doubt my stockpile came to more than £70 total. It wouldn't be completely sound though after a month or so I'll agree but I have vegan multivitamins I bought on offer, again something just to make sure due to wanting to avoid the food bank no matter what.

I can see your point that maybe being vegan doesn't have to work out more expensive but it must certainly be more difficult if you can't/don't cook from scratch.

From the list you have stockpiled, the tomatoes would be no good for this vegan in question, the rice they wouldn't eat, flour and yeast you need to be able to cook to make use of these.

I would like to know what this person ate before, as a vegan diet that doesn't involve cooking from scratch must surely be lacking in nutrition and variety.

Doom_and_Gloom

My guess would be soups that are vegan with bread mostly - not all vegan soups are tomato based though I know a lot are.
Probably porridge, wheatabix etc for breakfast with a vegan milk (most are fortified with calcium, b12 etc). Vegan yogurts maybe.
Chips, Linda McCartney sausages/pies/sausage rolls, some quorn products are vegan, frozen vegetable burgers/fingers (there are vegan versions of these), couscous is easily made though you can get microwave sachets of these - although just looked and all vegan ones have tomato. However micowave quinoa is an alternative available. Instant noodles can be vegan; if I remember rightly there are pot noodles that are accidentally vegan (though again having a look I think these all contain tomato). All products like this are all vegan and little to no cooking is needed.
Rice cakes/bread/bagels with peanut butter and/or jam, houmous or the like. Many crisps are vegan.
You can find many vegan icecreams and sorbets now.
I'll agree a diet like that isn't great, or very cheap, but that isn't veganism, that's the junk food lifestyle that anyone could have. My OH when I meet him mostly ate pizza, chips, tinned ravioli, tinned spaghetti, tinned meat balls, tinned macaroni and cheese etc, basically mostly junk and he was and is an omnivore. People are less likely to question an omnivorous junk food eater than a vegan junk food eater to do with nutrition. Both are lacking but one is more likely to get comments. Fair? No but that is what happens.

As I said before I personally don't know how a vegan could get by with not cooking from scratch, especially one that can't eat tomatoes.

Edited to add: onion bhajis and vegetable samosas can be vegan and to my knowledge don't contain tomato.
Basically it isn't too hard to live as a vegan without cooking from scratch now looking at it. A lot easier than it was when I went vegan for sure! Just harder if not able to eat tomatoes.

freyasmum

I must admit, I'm pretty stumped.

Vegan ideas, fair enough; but vegan ideas when they don't/won't/can't cook are throwing me

I did want to say thank you all for your ideas because I will include them in our next food bank donation.

Larumbelle

Caterina wrote: »

The year of volunteering has really opened my eyes and thrashed many prejudices and preconceptions. It is really the case of But For The Grace Of God...it could be anyone of us. I have met scientists, highly educated people from all walks of life, people who speak several languages and play the piano beautifully, makes you wonder what life threw at them to make them so destitute. We are not supposed to ask their stories but some share willingly, without being asked.

"They" are just you and me, when the chips are down. No matter how educated, rich, aware, wise, prepper...it could be any of us.

:T Spot on! I have been on MSE for ten years. For over nine of those I was an OS regular, never hugely well off, but never destitute either. I got rid of my debts, stretched every penny, and prided myself on making my money go far enough. Even when I finally managed to free myself from my violent and abusive ex-partner, I managed to get by on a single salary. I thought I was a warrior, and that all of the tips and tricks I'd learnt on here could get me through any financial crisis. On paper, I would never end up homeless. I have a top degree from a good university, a solid work history, excellent references.

Then I developed a long-term illness that quickly forced me out of work. My 'storecupboard' of supplies only just got me through benefits delays, and the rent I had to pay over and above housing benefit quickly swallowed up every penny of my savings. While waiting to find out whether I could get any discretionary help with my rent, my landlord decided he didn't want a DSS tenant anyway, and began eviction proceedings. Unable to find anywhere affordable to rent, the council advised me to stay put and wait for the bailiffs, which I did. I got some of my belongings into storage, but lost many of them when I lost my home. I wasn't on the streets, but homelessness was still grim, trying to deal, financially and emotionally, with social isolation and a lack of security and facilities, all the while battling with my further-deteriorating health.

In less than six months I had gone from working, cooking-from-scratch, financially-independent woman to destitute. So yes, it can happen to anyone, and in the wrong set of circumstances, far quicker than you could ever imagine.

I moved into my new home with just a few hours notice. I had to my name a binbag of clothes, a sleeping bag, and a blanket. Later that day I was donated a microwave and a set of curtains and believe it or not, that felt like all I needed, at least for a week or so until I could reclaim my belongings from council storage. I was in a much better position than many formerly homeless people.

Then the following day, the benefits I was due to have been paid were not. All I had 40 pence to my name, no goods I could sell, or borrow against, and no friends or family that I felt able to rely on. The DWP were sketchy as to why the money had not been paid, or when or if it would be at any point in the future (I never did get an explanation, they just restarted the payments without comment about ten days later). I managed to get by literally on water for a few days while I tried to think of a way out of things. Eventually I admitted what had happened to a homeless support worker, and they referred me for a food parcel.

Let me tell you, a cup of value tea and a cheap biscuit were the most comforting, wonderful treat I have ever tasted. I still have dreams about how good it was. And I don't even like tea. But it was the nicest thing ever! I'd always made a point of donating drinks and biscuits, hoping they would be a comfort to the recipient, and let me tell you, they absolutely are!!!!

Nutritionally, my food parcel wasn't very healthy. But it got me through. That was enough. Most of it was bland and stodgy, packet pasta and that sort of thing. In my head I have quite an affection for those packet pastas, even though I've no intention ever to eat one again :rotfl: It's not just that it was nice to have a belly full of warm food (though obviously that had a lot to do with it!), I think the uncomplicated flavour and texture and stodge were weirdly comforting. I can kind of imagine going for the 'pappy' white bread instead of the sourdough had I been given the choice. It isn't just 'sticking with what you know', I think there may be more to it that that. Not something I can explain, but a comfort thing. It goes beyond the food itself.

Food parcels are, I'm told, supposed to last three days, but mine got me by for far longer, in fact I ended up redonating the last few tins when my money restarted.

It really did feel to me when I was on the receiving end of the parcel that the donations are about more than just food. It's bigger than food. All of the people here who donate, thank you. And those who, like Caterina and Gintotmelinda, give their time and effort to volunteer, thank you. A million times thank you. When you are at the point of absolute destitution it means more than I can tell you to know that people who you have never met, who you never will meet, are giving you an unconditional gift because they do not want you to go hungry. It makes you feel less alone. It makes you feel more hopeful. It makes you feel like you are still a human being. It feels like a hug. That's the only way I can describe it. So thank you.

Caterina

Oh Larumbelle, massive hugs and a great big WELL DONE! For surviving such difficult circumstances. Glad you are in a better position now and thank you for sharing, it was really humbling to read it, it is exactly the reason why people volunteer, because it feels good when other people feel good. It's a selfish reason, really, because it gives a pleasant glow to be able to help others! xx

Gintotmelinda

Oh Larumbelle everything you say is spot on. I'm crying now.


I have volunteered at an independant foodbank for four years. And it keeps me awake at night wondering how to feed those who come to us.
I apply for grants to pay the rent and insurance. I have stood for hours in draughty supermarket foyers begging shoppers to donate tins and packets. Many give me a hard stare and walk past; others give me carrier bags full of food. The response from local churches, community groups, schools and individuals is amazing and keeps us going.


Every week the staff sort donated food and check the dates. I am on reception and see every new and existing client before they get to chat with a member of staff about other ways we can help them. Being listened to is very important.


Oh dear I've written an essay......................But I know that you have expressed why I do what I do. 'No man is an island entire of itself' .


Look after yourself.


Thanks .


Gintot

Caterina

Hey Gintot We haven't met for ages, when are you having the next meet up? Springtime in Bristol? Would be great to reconnect! xx

Gintotmelinda

Caterina

Nice to 'see' you

We haven't met since the Birmingham meet up. I didn't get an invite last time to the Bristol meet-a group of Oldstylers who had been meeting up regularly since Birmingham called one here. Not open to all. Meh.

So.................will give it a bit of thought. I think Mean Marie would come.

Will be in touch after Christmas.

Jane

Caterina

Count on me to be there! Wouldn't it be great to gather the Old Guard all together again! xx

mattie1949

well said Doody , thanks for all the info best wishes