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Trolley with food donations.

(25 Posts)
Nanawind Wed 27-Feb-19 10:09:16

I have just come back from Asda and there is a trolley which you can put food donations in for the local food bank. But at the bottom of the sign it states that if you are desperate then you can take 4 items no questions asked.
While waiting to be served I saw a lady take a few items which looked more than the 4 limit. Her friend also did the same, as I was coming out to the car park these 2 ladies were getting into a brand new 4x4.
I'm not surprised that there are some people who abuse a good system but sad that it's happening.

Marelli Wed 27-Feb-19 10:11:55

Noooo!! I hate to think of that.
If possible, it's always best to donate to an actual drop-off point or the Foodbank itself.

KatyK Wed 27-Feb-19 10:25:32

We have them in our local supermarkets but they are not help yourself. They are for the food banks. There is also one for pet food, which is always more full that the people one.

M0nica Wed 27-Feb-19 11:03:14

I take mine to church on a Sunday. I hope I can trust the priest, not to be dipping into the box.

EllanVannin Wed 27-Feb-19 11:07:16

My GGD has 7 children but doesn't go to foodbanks ??

Charleygirl5 Wed 27-Feb-19 12:01:11

That to me is the lowest of the low helping themselves and then climbing into a large, expensive car.

H1954 Wed 27-Feb-19 12:05:17

That's appalling! I would have had to bite my tongue if I'd had witnessed it!

EllanVannin Wed 27-Feb-19 12:06:45

Charleygirl, it's despicable !! Unfortunately there are a lot of those type around-----parasites !

Helennonotion Wed 27-Feb-19 12:28:34

EllanVannin - Then she is most fortunate. Sadly foodbanks are a lifeline for many, even working families.

EllanVannin Wed 27-Feb-19 12:31:35

Who's fortunate, Helennonotion ? The woman in the 4x4 who " stole " from the poor ?

EllanVannin Wed 27-Feb-19 12:33:40

I noted I made two posts, the former being the one that you've answered to. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

EllanVannin Wed 27-Feb-19 12:41:15

I refer to my GD and her children. She makes filling dinners such as stews, shepherds pies, spag bols. curries and rice, Sunday dinners. Also bakes with the children helping so no bought cakes. Shops at Iceland and buys in bulk when she gets her family allowance as well as a sack of potatoes-------no junk, no McDonalds. I did it with 6 of us in the " dark days ".

Her mum and myself often tell her how fortunate she is as she's on her own too-------long story.

Maggiemaybe Wed 27-Feb-19 13:20:58

What utter scumbags, nanawind. But I must say I wouldn’t leave my donations there with that daft system.. There’ll always be people who take advantage.

Jane10 Wed 27-Feb-19 13:33:11

Yes. Utter scumbags! How could anyone be so immoral. What worthless people. angry

Ailsa43 Wed 27-Feb-19 13:35:28

nanawind, If I had witnessed that I would have called or emailed the particular store and explained what I saw, they may have another think about that system

Charleygirl5 Wed 27-Feb-19 13:36:55

My local supermarket has 2 bins- one for the food bank and the other for the RSPCA charity. The latter does very well and it is emptied very frequently so that the upmarket supermarket always looks tidy!

I have seen people pop in and leave a bag with the food bank. The food was obviously bought elsewhere and was possibly a lot cheaper. I do not have a problem with that because everybody is benefiting.

Maggiemaybe Wed 27-Feb-19 14:13:54

Yes, I've left items at Tesco, our nearest drop-off point for food bank donations, that I've bought elsewhere. Nobody's allowed to take things from it though!

Oldandverygrey Wed 27-Feb-19 17:43:05

At our local Tescos there is a display stand with fruit and a sign saying " FREE please help yourself, this fruit is for your children" to encourage healthy eating.. To date I have seen plenty of adults helping themselves with no children in tow!

Bathsheba Sat 02-Mar-19 18:49:52

Our Tesco has that system too OldandVG, but I can't say I've ever seen anyone other those with children taking the fruit. My GD loves going to Tesco so she can eat an apple on the way round!

I'm afraid I would have found it hard not to say anything to the two despicable people who stole from the Asda donations. How low can you get? angry. And yes, at the very least the OP should report what she saw to the store so they might have a rethink on that particular idea!

BradfordLass72 Sun 03-Mar-19 02:09:40

We have absolutely NO proof that the woman in the 4x4 was stealing from the poor.
I volunteer at a food bank and the lady who runs it, drives a posh SUV.
She takes clients to supermarkets and, as they are entitled to visit other food banks if they are in need (or we have run out of fresh veg, for instance) she'll drive them elsewhere.

I know the cynical among you will dismiss this idea but I know for a fact that 'the look of a thing' is often very far from the truth.

RosieLeah Sun 03-Mar-19 06:37:20

Presumably there are no CCTV cameras to record these thieves?

Bathsheba Sun 03-Mar-19 09:44:18

BradfordLass thank you for that information - it does put an entirely different perspective on the story doesn't it? I was one of those who instantly jumped to what may have been the wrong conclusion and perhaps judged these women unfairly.

At least, I do hope it was the wrong conclusion - I so want your explanation to be the correct one smile

Maggiemaybe Sun 03-Mar-19 15:47:00

I suppose anything’s possible, but I think in this scenario anyone travelling in a top of the range car but still genuinely in desperate need of donated food would avoid misunderstandings by explaining the situation to a member of staff before leaving.

Yes, I am a cynic.

paddyann Sun 03-Mar-19 15:58:44

the 4x4 could well be paid for by motability ,lots of disabled people have 4x4's that donrt cost them a fortune .

EllanVannin Sun 03-Mar-19 16:15:35

So who supplies these 4x4's ?