The Foodbank Donation Thread

Brie

HillStreetBlues said:

Can a opened box of coffee pods (one used) be donated?

Are they within the use by date? (I know, coffee pods shouldn't need a use by date)
And is the packaging still tidy looking?  

The food bank I attend has things like this outside where people can pick and choose.  Sometimes there's open boxes of tea bags so I assume coffee pods would be equally welcome.  But the FB won't put anything that is already open into a bag for someone to take away as they might find it demeaning that it's open and coffee pods are a bit of a niche item.  Not everyone has the right type of machine so wouldn't want to simply be given them.  In fact our FB waits for people to ask for coffee or tea - no point giving something they might not want or need.  

If your local foodbank doesn't want it try offering it on freegle or the local facebook marketplace.  

Brie

Just a reminder to all that haven't noticed but the weather is getting chillier which can only mean one thing - that's right Christmas is coming!  Now I'm not a fan of doing anything dreadfully early but you might want to check what your local food bank is planning. 

Some give out Christmas dinner in a bag - so everything from pigs in blankets to turkey to mince pies - all in a bag to take away a couple of days before the big day.  Others may just boost what they might normally give out.  Others will even go so far as cooking a meal for those who don't have the full cooking facilities but can heat up a meal for one in their microwave. 

All of this takes a lot of planning and knowing that all of the bits and pieces to hand is more important when you are catering for 500 instead of for 5!!  So check their websites or watch out for notices on local social media etc.

And don't forget to check the best before dates!!!  Our local FB ended up with about 3 dozen packs of mince tarts BBF December last year!  

Flugelhorn

one of the local town councils (+ assorted charities) put on lunch on Xmas day, plenty of donations etc - tea and mince pies served later in the day in one  of the churches. we let everyone in contact with the food bank know about it 

Cherryfudge

@Brie, was it you who posted elsewhere about encouraging children to have a pre-Christmas sort out and donate to make room for their new things? I know our local foodbank accepted donations of toys last year. Charity shops have lots of donated toys after Christmas, but people are on the look out for toys from now onwards.

Brie

Cherryfudge said:

@Brie, was it you who posted elsewhere about encouraging children to have a pre-Christmas sort out and donate to make room for their new things? I know our local foodbank accepted donations of toys last year. Charity shops have lots of donated toys after Christmas, but people are on the look out for toys from now onwards.

Yes - I was passing along a message I'd seen on local social media.   

And yes - a lot of the FBs will take good, clean toys and books.  They will also take little gifts - I've spotted that a local crafty place has DIY suncatchers for £1 each.  A couple of things like that in a goodie bag with a pair of mitts etc are a great present for a child.

So please do have toy clear outs now so that charity shops and FBs can have them ready for those that need them before Christmas.

Brie

Another way to help out!!

Food Bank Reverse Christmas Advent Calendar Challenge! — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Nelliegrace

A sad comment from a blogger this week. She is allowed to go to the local foodbank now, because her abusive husband spends all off their money on booze. 
Try to give some healthy food to the food bank. 

Brie

Nelliegrace said:

A sad comment from a blogger this week. She is allowed to go to the local foodbank now, because her abusive husband spends all off their money on booze. 
Try to give some healthy food to the food bank. 

And sadly too common a situation.

Our food bank has been all a buzz as people are busy collecting nice Christmassy stuff while a portion of the team is batch cooking Christmas dinners ready to hand out on the 24th or deliver on the 25th!

Brie

Venting here - some ratbags burgled our food bank on the weekend. 

Fortunately our community have come up trumps and replaced what was taken x 3.  

Cherryfudge

That's horrible, @Brie. Lovely that the community helped out, though. People can be so generous.