Donating to Food banks - AIBU?
Discussion
Our local Asda has a couple of trollies near the checkouts for people to be able to donate groceries and other stuff to the local Foodbank.
To me, it makes more sense for somebody to donate 5 tins of (say) Smartprice Tomato Soup (@20p a can) than 1 tin of Heinz Cream of Tomato soup (@90p a can). That way you're providing 5 meals rather than 1. However when i had a peek inside the trolley somebody else had left a tin of f Green & Black Hot Chocolate.
My wife thinks I'm being a cheapskate. i said i'd ask the Internet for a second opinion .......
To me, it makes more sense for somebody to donate 5 tins of (say) Smartprice Tomato Soup (@20p a can) than 1 tin of Heinz Cream of Tomato soup (@90p a can). That way you're providing 5 meals rather than 1. However when i had a peek inside the trolley somebody else had left a tin of f Green & Black Hot Chocolate.
My wife thinks I'm being a cheapskate. i said i'd ask the Internet for a second opinion .......
The local Morrisons used to have pre-packaged food parcels that you could add to your own basket and checkout then put in the food banks cage.
I used to do that but since switching to home delivery I never really go there for a food shop so it's easier just to donate directly to the local food bank and they can decide what the money is best spent on.
I used to do that but since switching to home delivery I never really go there for a food shop so it's easier just to donate directly to the local food bank and they can decide what the money is best spent on.
If I'm ever unfortunate enough to need the services of a food bank I'm honestly not sure I'll be too bothered by the brand and I'd sooner not be told they've got nothing left because the shelves had less more expensive food products on them.
Chuck in 5 cans of decent soup or 5 cartons of Green and Blacks by all means but whatever the financial value I'd be trying to ensure it goes as far as is sensibly possible;
Chuck in 5 cans of decent soup or 5 cartons of Green and Blacks by all means but whatever the financial value I'd be trying to ensure it goes as far as is sensibly possible;
Countdown said:
Our local Asda has a couple of trollies near the checkouts for people to be able to donate groceries and other stuff to the local Foodbank.
To me, it makes more sense for somebody to donate 5 tins of (say) Smartprice Tomato Soup (@20p a can) than 1 tin of Heinz Cream of Tomato soup (@90p a can). That way you're providing 5 meals rather than 1. However when i had a peek inside the trolley somebody else had left a tin of f Green & Black Hot Chocolate.
My wife thinks I'm being a cheapskate. i said i'd ask the Internet for a second opinion .......
I'm of the opinion that it is of no relevance as you didn't donate either, did you? To me, it makes more sense for somebody to donate 5 tins of (say) Smartprice Tomato Soup (@20p a can) than 1 tin of Heinz Cream of Tomato soup (@90p a can). That way you're providing 5 meals rather than 1. However when i had a peek inside the trolley somebody else had left a tin of f Green & Black Hot Chocolate.
My wife thinks I'm being a cheapskate. i said i'd ask the Internet for a second opinion .......
I saw a few posts online with people suggesting you just take a few things off the shelves and drop them in the food bank box before you start shopping, you aren't technically stealing as the products haven't left the store.
Not sure on the technicalities of that but a good point was made that the profits made by the supermarkets during lockdown etc should mean they should be doing more anyway so sod them they ca afford it
Not sure on the technicalities of that but a good point was made that the profits made by the supermarkets during lockdown etc should mean they should be doing more anyway so sod them they ca afford it
NuckyThompson said:
I saw a few posts online with people suggesting you just take a few things off the shelves and drop them in the food bank box before you start shopping, you aren't technically stealing as the products haven't left the store.
Not sure on the technicalities of that but a good point was made that the profits made by the supermarkets during lockdown etc should mean they should be doing more anyway so sod them they ca afford it
Not sure how they managed that....the foodbank trollies tend to be on the post-checkout side. Not sure on the technicalities of that but a good point was made that the profits made by the supermarkets during lockdown etc should mean they should be doing more anyway so sod them they ca afford it
Countdown said:
One tin of G&B might provide hot drinks for 1 family, but 3 tins of Asda own Brand Hot chocolate will provide hot drinks for 3 families...surely that's better?
That's not how food banks work, or certainly the ones I've been involved with. Generally food is distributed / collected as prepared meals. People were not in receipt of the packaged goods.Bacon Is Proof said:
It's a tricky one.
On one hand no, the poor obviously don't deserve luxuries but on the other hand if they're never made aware of the things we enjoy how will they be encouraged to better themselves?
My own experience has been that these 'poor' people who need the help of food banks are not the feckless lot that is insinuated on here, but people who have worked hard in their lives, but fallen on tough times. The majority of people I see are generally unwell and have been unable to work because of that. I think it's in pretty poor taste to say they don't deserve the odd luxury.On one hand no, the poor obviously don't deserve luxuries but on the other hand if they're never made aware of the things we enjoy how will they be encouraged to better themselves?
Don't forget that a lot of these people have been net contributors to society in one way or another for a good chunk of their adult lives.
Personally I would rather donate one can of a decent brand of soup which contains some nutrition to 3 cans of Asda own brand crap full of sugar and salt. A big part of why poor people are unhealthy is because they can’t afford the food with nutrition in as it’s expensive, look at nuts for example. Cheap food is crap food
SebastienClement said:
Countdown said:
One tin of G&B might provide hot drinks for 1 family, but 3 tins of Asda own Brand Hot chocolate will provide hot drinks for 3 families...surely that's better?
That's not how food banks work, or certainly the ones I've been involved with. Generally food is distributed / collected as prepared meals. People were not in receipt of the packaged goods.Foodbank said:
Our service provides individuals and families 7 day parcel and provides subject to donations:
Fresh fruit and vegetables Fresh milk, cheese and bread
Long life products, Cereals, Tinned goods, Rice/Pasta
Tea/Coffee, Fruit juices, Household cleaning products
Personal hygiene products, Nappies, Pet Food
Tbh that sounds far more efficient than making prepared meals unless it was some kind of soup kitchen arrangement.Fresh fruit and vegetables Fresh milk, cheese and bread
Long life products, Cereals, Tinned goods, Rice/Pasta
Tea/Coffee, Fruit juices, Household cleaning products
Personal hygiene products, Nappies, Pet Food
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