The Foodbank Donation Thread

Brie

Oh my!! No comments in months. I'm sure there is interest and people have just been too busy doing all that life thrusts at us. I assumed I'd just missed posts.

So - a reminder - we're almost in July! Kids will be off school soon. Parents (aka women for the most part) will need to cut back their work hours to look after kids. so reduced wages, no option of doing overtime and kids who aren't getting school meals. They need our help!!!

And so - start now looking at the twofers on offer. Do you need 3 bags of crisps on a buy 2 get one free offer? Can you drop one in the foodbank bin at Tescos? What about those apps that give you freebies that you never use as you're not vegan, don't like mayo, would never eat chocolate? Use them and drop the stuff in the bin!!!

In a few weeks the foodbanks need to be fully stocked and we all need to ensure that happens. These may not be your circle of friends and may think somehow they deserve to be struggling due to their life choices. But things happen to the best and the worst of us that can change our circumstances in a flash and make depending on the kindness of strangers the only way to get by.

And don't forget the sunscreen!!!!!

beanielou

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82045390#Comment_82045390

To add to what @Brie has said so well don’t let children be without because of their parents lifestyle choices.

Silvertabby

I donate female sanitary products, toiletries and cat food throughout the year, then foodstuffs during the run up to Christmas.

shykins

i know Olio isnt a charity BUT it is free food!!!!. it would be good if food banks signposted people to Olio as theres so much that still goes to waste that is perfectly good to eat/use

its such a shame that people are struggling to put food on the table when Olio volunteers have so much available on a daily/weekly basis

Murphybear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82045529#Comment_82045529

Often these products are overlooked. The food bank I used to help at had a big delivery from the regional organisers on a Saturday morning and everything was displayed on tables for the people to see what we had. We were open for one hour, most of the things had gone by then. People couldn’t just take what they wanted, they asked the helpers. Most of the stuff was donated by supermarkets. To use the food bank people had to register and provide ID. It worked very well and the helpers got to meet the customers which was one of the biggest pleasures

This system meant we could have fresh food which was highly appreciated. Most weeks we got cat food, dog food or both. This was very popular. One regular, a single man with a cat and a dog was on crutches and he struggled to get there early so I put some aside for him, everyone was happy with that.

Toiletries were very popular. I have an excess of nail varnish (my husband says if I buy any more we’ll need an extra room 😹) so took along a selection of different colours a few weeks before Christmas. That went down a storm especially with one young woman who had 2 small children and a disappearing husband. She said she could never afford to buy things like that

Sadly this food bank closed down, we think it was there was another one in the same small town

Brie

Spotted some nice easy food in Tesco yesterday - 70p for a pack of quick cook pasta with cheese sauce. I think it would make a low cost to prepare meal. There were a couple of other flavour variations available. On the shelves with the instant pot noodle type things. The food bank where I used to work had a number of homeless who would come in. They'd have a flask which would get filled with boiling water and some instant dinner type packets so even without any facilities they could still have a hot(ish) meal.

Another thing that is popular with toiletries is the little soaps/shampoos that are often available at hotels. I know a lot of places now just have a large dispenser attached to the wall in the shower etc but some do still provide the individual sizes and the "vanity" sets with cotton buds etc. We used to put a selection of these into gift bags as a present to give out to those that needed a little treat.

And while I tend to be cheap with what I buy (i.e. 70p pasta & sauce) so as to be able to provide a lot, don't forget that it's nice to have something extra nice that wouldn't be affordable for food bank clients. McVities biscuits rather than store brand etc.

Thank you everybody that is able to contribute even if it's in a small way. It's all helpful.

maman

We have a lovely neighbour who collects food from our road and then takes a carload to the foodbank each week. All we need to do is drop things off at his house. Fortunately, the foodbank updates him every week on what's needed most and he posts it on our residents Facebook page. I'm sure we get a better response if people are asked for specific items.

Toiletries are often asked for and, during this hot weather, I've been making a point of buying deodorant.

beanielou

Agree @maman. Targeted drives for whatever items were needed for so well supported.

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82080103#Comment_82080103

What a lovely neighbour!! helpful to the neighbourhood and to foodbank customers as well!!

Suncream may also be welcome - kids off school and playing outside so much etc!!

Meanwhile here I've decided to add at least something on every shop and the choice the other day was tins of meatballs in tomato sauce. Basically this is an instant meal (hot or cold) so very easy. Or if it needs to help feed a family can be used on top of pasta or rice. Another shop included some nice conserve from Lidl - ok so store's own brand but I decided to go for the nice conserve that I like myself rather than the cheaper sloppy jam. Based in part that someone with a small amount of £ can buy the cheap stuff if they have to and the conserve will be a nicer treat for them. Also given that it's a better fruit to sugar ratio I figure it's a healthier option, plus it will likely go much further serving wise.

maman

I'm an Aldi shopper @Brie and always buy from there for the food bank. I reckon that I can contribute more as I'm getting better value for money than if I bought items from a more expensive store.

I buy the tinned meatballs for the food bank too. I don't eat them myself because I make my own but, as above, I'm conscious that many people don't have the facilities to do home cooking.