The UK, in 2017, had more children under 15 living in “severely food insecure households” than any other EU country. Almost 1 in 5 live in households where parents cannot afford to put food on the table — between April 2018 and March 2019 food bank usage increased 19%.
It is now more important than ever to give anything we can to food banks and soup kitchens so they can keep doing the work they do.
Integritty Foods is a social business dedicated to fighting poverty and homelessness by committing that for every soup we sell, we will give another to a person in need. Beyond this, our goal to fight against poverty spans to informing people of how they can make a difference, which we aim to do through these posts.
Ways to donate to a food bank
There are a few different ways to donate to food banks near you.
If donating to a soup kitchen, the items you can donate may be different, so keep this in mind. Food banks are usually always looking for non-food items, whereas some soup kitchens only accept food donations.
1. Directly to your local food bank
Find your nearest food bank by clicking here.
Once you’ve been shown your local food bank, you can click on the local website for that food bank, showing you the times when they’re open for donations.
Most importantly, each food bank keeps their site updated regarding which items they have enough of, and which items they are in urgent need of. If you’re planning on donating and haven’t gone out to buy the items yet — check your local food bank’s website first to find out what these urgently needed items are.
2. At collection points, such as in supermarkets
Many supermarkets have big boxes near their entrance to place donated food in. This food is collected and delivered to where it is needed most.
Some take it a step further, including Tesco. Tesco agree to donate an additional 20% of customer donated items at 450 of their UK stores.
3. Hosting your own collections
These could be in your place of work, you or your child’s school, university or college, or in a local group or religious group or church.
Best Food Items To Donate
The best items to donate are non-perishables that last a long time.
These include:
- Canned goods: soup, tomatoes, beans, canned fruits and vegetables, chickpeas, etc.
- Long-lasting drinks: UHT milk, fruit juice, as well as tea bags and coffee.
- Food cupboard items: pasta, rice, cereals, lentils, beans and pulses.
- Spices: these are great to donate as they last a very long time and add flavour to any meal.
Best Non-Food Items To Donate
Household items
Many families struggle to afford essential household items once they’ve covered living costs and putting food on the table. It’s important therefore to donate these key items if you can spare them:
Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, hand wipes, female hygiene products.
General household items: including laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder and washing up liquid.
Baby supplies: including nappies, baby wipes and baby food.
Most food banks will accept non-food items, but it’s best to make sure they do before you donate these items.
Clothing
If you’ve got clothing that’s in good condition that you don’t need any more, a great way to help the less fortunate is to donate them.
Clothes of particular use are thick, warm clothes, like woolly scarves, hats and gloves, and thick lined coats.
Which Items Should You Not Donate To A Food Bank?
There are certain items that you shouldn’t donate. These include:
- Delicate items / items with glass packaging: these items can break or spill in transit.
- Items requiring additional equipment to open: for example cans that can only be opened by a can opener — as not everyone has access to this equipment. Donate easy-open cans instead.
- Alcohol: though you might think you’re helping a family unwind on a Friday evening by donating a bottle of wine, most food banks cannot accept alcoholic donations. This includes not just alcoholic drinks, but also any foods or puddings that have alcohol in them, such as Christmas puddings and some mince pies.
- Baby formula
Your Donations Make A Difference
You may not see the direct effects, but your donations make a huge difference to the many people who use — or rely on — food banks or soup kitchens.
If you donate at your local supermarket to a Trussell Trust food bank, your donations will form part of a food parcel that provides at-risk families with enough food for at least three days of healthy, balanced meals.
These parcels change people’s lives. Your act of kindness greatly impacts people’s futures. In addition, if you buy products by a brand that supports a social cause — such as us at Integritty Foods who promise to give a soup to a person in need for every soup we sell — you can have an even greater effect.
