Scrümbled Eggs 

Donating food to a food bank is good and all, but giving them money is even better.

They can often buy straight from distributors at wholesale pricing, increasing your purchasing power.

This also ensures they get the freshest, healthiest items and cuts down on food waste.

Dec 6, 2022 at 10:32pmWeb
Show threadCooksBooksandFoodieLooksDec 6, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Clever!
Show threadShawn HarderDec 6, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Absolutely accurate.
Show threadabbie_walDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Totally agree and how we contribute. In our area, every $1 donated equals 3 meals. Inflation has also hit the Food Banks. it was $1 = 4 meals but sadly no longer.
Show threadAmyNewsDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Good point. Thanks!
Show threadHillaryGayleDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs This is such important information! Thank you for it! I did some work with our Episcopal church free Saturday lunch, and it was FAR more efficient to give us money & let us figure out food, because no one ever gives actual food in an amount to feed 65 people. You can't make a lunch for that many out of whatever spare cans people give.
Show threadJulieBDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Annnnnd it offers them the flexibility to purchase what they are low on instead of receiving what they already have too many cases of. 😉
Show threadStacy AnnDec 7, 2022

@scrumble_eggs

For the last few years, we have used the money that we would normally spend on Christmas gifts and give to the local food pantry.

Show thread🏳️‍🌈 Baehr🖖Dec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs
People are hungry all year. Not just at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Show threadteledyn 𓂀Dec 7, 2022

@scrumble_eggs

Better still, abolish food banks and issue debit cards instead while offering lifeskills classes.

Instead of stigma and day-olds, let's grant folks dignity. There but for Grace, as they say.

"Proper authorities" can still spy on and pass judgement on the purchases of course, we couldn't exclude the Overseers. Who knows, maybe they'd use that knowledge to inform those classes?

@KatM

Show threadAlbatroz JeremiasDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs well... not in my country. where the director of this center has been caught using the credit card of the NGO as her personal credit card, for shopping, traveling, eating.. etc.. she became famous as the big charity person of here.. jaja.. better than giving to a food bank you can just invite people around you for a hot meal at your place :) get to known them, get to known exactly what they need
Show threadlegumancer DavyDec 14, 2022

@jeremias @scrumble_eggs yikes!!

In some places I've lived there have been little-free-library-style give away boxes and/or community fridges. I usually give to these because it's convenient and I know nobody is being made to hear a sermon first. They're not perfect, but surplus food always seems to coincide with being really short on time (like packing to move) for me.

Show threadOreo Speedwagon II 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🇨🇦Dec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Excellent advice! Thank you!
Show threadZelda LaflameDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Money is good! I've been volunteering at my community's food shelf for years. Donations also VERY great, esp things not often thought of like flour, sugar, coffee, household cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene. Our shelf also supplies cat/dog food & we're often out. Food shelves often have lists posted of current needs, too.
Show threadacmDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Also prevents your MIL from giving near-expired water chestnuts and other useless treats.
Show threadMark Blumberg, Charity LawyerDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs absolutely true, but advocating for higher taxes and more social support so that we don’t have people needing food banks would even be better.
Show threadturtlecartelDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs it's just a trust thing.people don't always trust others to do the right thing with money, but feel they're less likely to be scammed it they give a pack of beans.
Show threadRachel MartinDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs
Show threadAngrySexagenarianDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs this applies to all NGOs.
Don't donate to, but donate through.
I've worked in this sector for most of my adult life and know that a great donor is one who asks: "What can I contribute to advance your work?"
And the answer is most always: "Whatever amount of money you can afford would be most helpful - thank you."
Show threadVeirling | #MMIWG #LandBackDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs As a volunteer at a food bank, we need cash. Want to give an example. It's the difference between "here's a can of expired green beans" and "here's a nutritionally balanced meal of chicken, potatoes/rice/beans, vegetables, fruit, (and omfg maybe even something lovely like a desert item). People coming are 100 traumatized. This is about making people feel safe and valued, not alone.
Show threadVeirling | #MMIWG #LandBackDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Sorry, naw, just have to say socialism IS service, but never servitude. 💜
Show threadChyllstormDec 7, 2022

@scrumble_eggs Even, even better? Everyone Venmo me cash directly, so I don't have to get up and drive over to the pantry tomorrow morning. 

😅

Show threadEric AderholdDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs This, and also food banks often have employees. Employees can be paid with money but not your can of creamed corn a year past its "best by" date.
Show threadIanDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Thanks for the tip! I just went and hit the donate button on my local food bank. Another benefit to donating money is you get a tax benefit. It's a win-win.
Show threadElliotDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs very useful to know, thank you!
Show threadMazza66Dec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs if only the rich paid their fare share @20% and govts went after rich corporations, like BigOil @BP_UK @Shell, foodbanks wouldn't be necessary!
How did we get here?
Show threadMeecheDec 7, 2022
@mariannekelly66 @scrumble_eggs conservatives
Show threadMazzyDec 7, 2022

@scrumble_eggs

One of the things that I did yesterday was to pick veg at the community growing project which I belong to. It will go to our local community cafe/pantry/hub which operates on a 'pay as you choose'' basis.

Yes, I could indeed give money instead. But we give locally-grown, fresh veg with minimal food miles and which is surplus to our members' requirements.

I've been in touch with the hub organiser and she assures me that 'nothing is wasted.' Surely this is a win-win?

Show threadEggheadDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs good thinking brother
Show threadEli LavonDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs I don’t disagree, but food rescue is another piece of the solution. Where I live there’s a nonprofit that, using volunteers, collects food that would be thrown away by supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and other sources. It’s then distributed to local food banks, shelters, and the like. These are quantities too small to fill up a refrigerator truck, but we’re making a difference — some 2 million pounds rescued last year that fed people instead of landfills.
Show threadBarbaraPittman ☕️💬Dec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs One reason to go to the checkout line with a cashier: if they ask you if you want to donate to a local food bank, say yes and give what you can. It’s easier to just tack it on to your bill.
Show threadMeecheDec 7, 2022
@grinnpidgeon @scrumble_eggs Actually the supermarkets are just recouping “their” promised donation when you give at the register. If they have bags of food prepackaged for food pantries for sale, buy those instead.
Show threadBarbaraPittman ☕️💬Dec 7, 2022
@Meeche @scrumble_eggs I’m not sure what you’re saying, but here’s what my store says: https://www.wegmans.com/news-media/articles/fighting-hunger-at-the-check-out/
Fighting Hunger at the Check Out - Wegmans

Wegmans
Show threadMeecheDec 9, 2022
@grinnpidgeon @scrumble_eggs what I’m saying is stores donate money to an organization or promise a certain donation (like Wegman’s did in March) then recoup their initial donation or use the customers donations to fulfill their obligation through the customers donating at checkout. I send $$ directly to local food pantry.
Show threadMeecheDec 9, 2022
@grinnpidgeon @scrumble_eggs Despite having said that I always round up anyhow if given the chance.
Show threadMeecheDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Don’t forget to donate pet food or let them know your donation can be used for pet food and supplies. Many low income seniors will go without necessities in order to care for their pets, who provide them with needed companionship.
Show threadJason ColemanDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs True. And grocery store packages are made for small families. Our soup kitchen prefers to buy items in restaurant-sizes so there are fewer tiny cans and small boxes to open.
Show threadOld Hippie ⓋDec 7, 2022
@scrumble_eggs I grow extra produce to donate to my local food bank. This year I gave them 100 lbs of onions. They were thrilled.
Show threadNora Karena (She/Her/Hers)Dec 8, 2022
@scrumble_eggs thank you! And Also giving cash assistance directly to people is important. As a society we have accepted the idea that under resourced people can’t be trusted with cash. That argument is a problem because it implies all sorts of ideas about under resourced people that aren’t true. Giving people cash assistance and supportive resources(in case they need the help managing resources) is one way to reduce hunger and poverty. Also give $ to food banks, like you said.
Show threadRosBuxDec 8, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Yes if your local foodbank belongs to a larger group. Ours is just local. Mine can’t accept cash I’ve asked. So I ask them what they need. It used to be boy’s deodorant now it’s just food — any food!
Show threadHilaryDec 8, 2022

@scrumble_eggs

Yes. In nearly all circumstances, it is better to donate money than goods. Money can be used to buy exactly what is needed, when and usually close to where it is needed. Goods are laborious to sort and document, bulky to store and costly to transport.

NEVER donate goods to charity unless you are sure they are wanted.

Show threadHilaryDec 8, 2022

@scrumble_eggs

Although of course the mere fact that food banks exist in 21st century Britain is an indictment of government failure.

Show threadJackie WolfDec 9, 2022
@scrumble_eggs The Red Cross needs #Volunteers - all the natural disasters these last few years is taking its toll.
Show threadCheetahmarieDec 12, 2022
@scrumble_eggs so true. We accept donations for the homeless veterans in our city and all donations are greatly appreciated. We do find that many people though, clean out their cabinets and send food they haven’t used. Here is the problem, if it’s not expired it’s very close to expiration. We end up spending hours sorting through expired food and unfortunately have to throw a lot of it away. It actually takes very valuable time as well as fills up dumpsters we have to pay for.
Show threadPwnallthethingsDec 14, 2022
@scrumble_eggs This is true for virtually all charities too. It might feel more charitable to give items rather than cash, but cash is almost always a higher ROI, *especially* if you're donating items bought new.
Show threadJonathan LawDec 14, 2022
@scrumble_eggs thank you for this. I had wondered.
Show threadJay KellyDec 14, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Even better to give money to the food bank as well as other organizations that can work longer term projects that reduce the need for food banks.
Show threadMikeasaServiceDec 14, 2022
@scrumble_eggs
This is why I have a standing monthly donation to my local food bank.
Show threadJoshDec 14, 2022

@scrumble_eggs This also allows the food bank to buy strategically.

Our drop in center does three meals a day and when we are able to buy our own goods, we are able to provide far more balanced meals than if we're cobbling together
meals from donations.

Show threadSOJNeighborDec 14, 2022
@scrumble_eggs Actually, I donate items
and money both to our local food pantry Shepherd Shares in Shepherdstown, WV. I do the Costco 25 miles away., but before I go I'll ask the director of the pantry what they need right away. Short needed stuff versus long term planning money. BTW often what the pantry needs right away are paper products, where freshness isn't an issue.
Show threadMark WatsonDec 14, 2022
@scrumble_eggs I agree, cash is best for food banks. Donated food does help though. I used to volunteer on Wednesdays at our local food bank checking people in and helping them. A nice experience. Now, I just auto-donate money every month.
Since the is so much income inequality in my country (USA) and both of our political parties care most about servicing Wall Street and the Defense Industry, here in the USA supporting food banks is super important.
Show threadsecureisdDec 15, 2022
@scrumble_eggs @Pwnallthethings Even better, AU Foodbank actually contracts with suppliers for overstock and ag surplus to buy produce at below standard wholesale.
Show threadMatunosDec 15, 2022
@scrumble_eggs yes… it never makes sense to go buy groceries for the purposes of donating them to a food bank. just donate the money instead!