Forum Topic

Food bank

Dear Food bank people.I often wonder what you need by way of donations, particularly when I see one of our favourite food items on a good offer.What do you want by way of donations?What do you need the most?What are you often asked for that you cannot supply?I know you had a children’s activity box on your delivery van, is that still the case?  This time of year lots of activity things get marked down as the supermarkets try to get you in to their shop, in the hope you will still be with them for Christmas?Do you still do the mini ‘hamper’ for Christmas?  Do you do this type of thing during the course of the year?  It helps to know so I can bear it in mind.Thanks.

Sarah Felstead ● 551d15 Comments

Thanks.

Sarah Felstead ● 537d

Pets and self care and sanitary products all welcome at Hounslow Community Foodbox - based in Brentford and serving the Borough (I am a trustee). Also fun stuff for children ready for our Christmas hampers

Guy Lambert ● 538d

We certainly give out cat and dog food at the Trussell Trust.

Susan Kelly ● 538d

Sanitary towels are also very welcome and seem to be preferred to tampons by most of our clients.

Susan Kelly ● 538d

Can people buy extra animal food to donate as well?

Sarah Felstead ● 538d

I found it interesting that the UK is violating international law on poverty. This has been stated by the UN who is sending an envoy here.

Nicholas Beard ● 538d

Wouldn't a bar of soap be more ecologically friendly?

Anne England ● 539d

Morrison's have recently started doing pre-prepared bags, costing about £3.50 and containing 4 items, such as a tin of fish, a tin of pulses, shower gel and a jar of jam. They refer to what the Trussell Trust says they most need each month.

Susan Kelly ● 540d

Thank you for your replies.I must say I didn’t know where the food comes from, and there must be a large amount of donations needed.We have made a number of small donations over the years, but should do so more frequently.

Sarah Felstead ● 541d

On my list of things to donate, I forgot tins of rice pudding and custard, ketchup and mayo, hot chocolate.

Susan Kelly ● 550d

Almost entirely donations, either money or in kind in the boxes in supermarkets. Some stuff from the supermarkets themselves and fresh produce each week from, I think, the Felix Project. The Oaktree church in Acton kindly lets us use their hall each week and I imagine that similar arrangements apply at the other branches.

Susan Kelly ● 550d

I'm a trustee and very occasional volunteer at Hounslow Community Foodbox. This is based in Brentford/Syon and has been working for local people across the borough for a dozen years.It's funding is mainly as a result of individual donations, which have grown a lot in recent years. For example, some local people have donated grants like that which helps with utility bills, when generous people decide they don't need this money. As it's a charity it can also claim gift aid which helps to boost by 20%. It also gets some support from Hounslow council - free use of a building, now 2 of them - and occasional grants for specific items. Of course the major 'funding' is by volunteers giving their time free, and people donating food (especially) but also household essentials. When I was there last week I noticed a few more 'luxury' donations were being diverted to start our collection for Christmas hampers. We often get specific support from local businesses who help provide what's needed to fill hampers and staff to help with the work.More here https://www.hounslowfoodbox.org.uk/

Guy Lambert ● 550d

Thanks, Susan.  Do you know how Food banks are funded?

Sarah Felstead ● 550d

I assume it's much the same as the Ealing Food Bank where I volunteer. We need long-life stuff: tins of meat/fish/vegetarian protein; tins of soup, beans, vegetables, pulses and fruit; rice & pasta, milk, cereal, tea, coffee, peanut butter, jam, sweet and savoury biscuits. Also toiletries, cleaning products, nappies and sanitary towels/tampons.

Susan Kelly ● 551d

That is weird.  I posted at 10:02 and it came up as 9:02.

Sarah Felstead ● 551d