The location where I made foodbank donations in SE23 has closed down. So I’m interested to know what other locations are accepting food donations?
I’ll start.
They have a very useful list on their website here…
Found some more drop off sites here with some excellent advice as to what good here. I’ll add the drop off sites to the list, but this is list of suggested foodstuffs.
Thanks for that starman. I’ve heard they’re also after festive treats… mince pies, Christmas puddings etc
Christmas puddings! I hadn’t thought of that. I always have a few extra from gift baskets and the like. Good recommendation.
Bumping this with a question for those who might be more in the know. My donations are usually just buying a few extra items at the supermarket. I have a pile of toiletries (soaps and shower gels) that I’ve been given but really aren’t my scents. I’d say they are more ‘gift-style scented’ than utilitarian but hoping they’d still be welcome?
I’ve also got a large stash of tampons which are now surplus to requirements. I had them stored (out of their boxes but still obviously in their plastic wrappers) in a big tub in the bathroom so would they still be useful? I know that the food banks often prefer sanitary towels which is what I usually buy for them.
If not, does anyone know anywhere else that would be able to use either the toiletries or the tampons? A refuge etc?
Best contact the foodbank. I don’t see why they’d turn down the offer of toiletries.
As for tampons, why wouldn’t they be needed? It’s all down to preference. My mother used them as did I. One of my daughters chose to use them whilst the other preferred sanitary towels. There is almost certainly a need for tampons.
Failing that, maybe contact Dulwich Hamlet. The club I support provides free sanitary products in the loos and given Dulwich’s ethos, I’d be very surprised if they don’t do the same. Peckham Town could be another option.
I think sanitary towels are preferred as all women can use them, tampons are not used or liked by everyone (younger teens and women from some cultures where they are not commonly used for example).
That said, I expect there will be people happy to have them, not being able to afford basic santiary protection must be so miserable so donations of this type are really important.
That’s why i’ve usually gone for towels in donations as they’re more universally used; despite preferring the alternative myself.
I might do some bags as @Clausy suggests and drop the rest off sorted into their various absorbencies.
Hi,
Do you need empty egg boxes at Hope Centre
118 Malham Road Forest Hill London SE23 1AN @clausy ? I have a few, different sizes. I know sometimes they are needed and cut down (if too big) to use to package eggs safely, to add to food parcels.
Regards
Sue
PS I know the Lewisham Donation Hub take them but wondering if you do too?
There is a woman who collects for the hygiene bank.
Her name is Liz White & she can be contacted by e mail:
thehygienebankforesthill@gmail.com
She will take any toiletries, but I think you will find it hard to get rid of the tampons that are not in a packet.
That is why I gave some nappies away recently, as neither she or Little Village would take them without the original packaging.
Thanks Gill. I’ve got friends that I can give them to - but I’d thought that giving them to those who find it harder to afford them would be good. I suppose I could always keep a handful in my pocket when I go to those venues that have the available in the loos and re-stock them surreptitiously!
PS @clausy are there any other items you take at the Lewisham Food Bank distribution centre at Hope Centre 118 Malham Road
Forest HillLondon SE23 1AN too? ie I have some secondhand cutlery I was going to take to either the Lewisham Donation Hub or a local charity shop but just wondering if you accept other stuff apart from food and toiletries etc.
I am pretty sure the Foodbank is just food, and generally more ‘standard’ items. It’s probably worth reposting this Donate food | Lewisham Foodbank and also check their Twitter/Instagram as they often post about what they’re particularly short if in the immediate term.
You can even download a Shopping list pdf - interesting to note that they don’t take baby formula - perhaps they buy that separately to ensure it’s safe to give out.
Hi,
Thanks for your reply @clausy . Yes, I thought maybe not but wanted to check incase they allowed different items at this time of year/during covid. No worries, the empty egg boxes, plastic carriers/food bags, clean jars with lids and my surplus cutlery and more I can take to the Lewisham Donation Hub at some point hopefully. I do not drive and my work shifts are not friendly to their hours but will try to sort something.
Yes, the shopping list is a good guide for those who can afford to buy the necessary items for the food bank. I personally do not use Twitter or Instagram and rarely look on Facebook but the Lewisham Donation Hub website has good info also
Regards
Sue
Yes ha ha! As I bet they aren’t always stocked up.
