muggins
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861 
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Post by muggins on May 12, 2020 22:35:42 GMT
I’ve been making masks for people in my subdivision in return for food donations for our local food bank. Also, people can just leave donations in a box at the end of my driveway. So far I’ve dropped off 4 car loads of food and toiletries. Stupidly I haven’t been looking at expiration dates on the items until today when one packet looked very old. I went through the most recent donations and at least half were out of date - pancake mix from 2011 FFS) or half a bag of sugar from 2018. I’m so irritated at their disrespect for people who are already struggling, especially during a pandemic. In case anyone is wondering, I live in subdivision where literally everyone can spare a can of soup. There’s no excuse for this bs.  |
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Post by jenjie on May 12, 2020 22:38:56 GMT
That’s just not right. I’m sorry. You shouldn’t need explicit instructions for current unopened items.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:36:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2020 22:41:38 GMT
That's awful. Not only are they disrespectful for the recipients of the food but they're taking the mick out of your generosity in making the masks for them too. I would stop asking for food donations and start charging them. You can then use that money to buy the food to donate.
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Happycat
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by Happycat on May 12, 2020 22:42:34 GMT
My mother instilled in me that you give the foods you love. You give the best you can. One day, you might be the one who needs to receive.
People can be real jerks. So disrespectful.
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Post by scrappersue on May 12, 2020 22:44:39 GMT
I would add a note to your bin asking everyone to please check expiration dates before donating.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on May 12, 2020 22:46:18 GMT
I know you didn’t post for this reason, but I love what you’re doing! You are a positive force in this world. I am sorry people can be so disappointing. It really stinks.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on May 12, 2020 22:46:41 GMT
That’s just not right. I’m sorry. You shouldn’t need explicit instructions for current unopened items. You'd think that, but for the last couple of regular food drives in my building, they've had to remind people that "food drive" does not mean clear all the old stuff from your pantry. |
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Post by maryland on May 12, 2020 22:46:46 GMT
I was be frustrated too. That's so nice what you are doing!
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Post by padresfan619 on May 12, 2020 22:46:51 GMT
That is awful. I have always gone to the store and bought brand new items for donation. What makes people think those who need to utilize these resources only deserve their leftovers?
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,244
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on May 12, 2020 22:47:22 GMT
I’m sorry that happened. It is so wrong. Charge for the masks and donate the money to the food bank. They can buy food in bulk for better prices than you.
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Post by jenjie on May 12, 2020 22:51:09 GMT
That’s just not right. I’m sorry. You shouldn’t need explicit instructions for current unopened items. You'd think that, but for the last couple of regular food drives in my building, they've had to remind people that "food drive" does not mean clear all the old stuff from your pantry. Ridiculous! 😡 |
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,704
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on May 12, 2020 22:59:49 GMT
I can maybe understand someone grabbing a can of something and not knowing it's expired. (I always check dates before I use anything because you never know what has been hanging around). But it sounds like there was more than a one off. And who the hell donates opened items? A half bag of sugar? Really???
I'm sorry. I agree with a PP, you should charge for the masks and donate the money to the food bank.
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Post by catmom on May 12, 2020 23:08:43 GMT
My mother instilled in me that you give the foods you love. You give the best you can. One day, you might be the one who needs to receive. People can be real jerks. So disrespectful. That’s what I was taught too - you give from your best not your least. Terrible behaviour. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:36:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2020 23:16:44 GMT
That sucks.
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luckyexwife
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,070
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Post by luckyexwife on May 12, 2020 23:24:12 GMT
Great idea! You have a big heart to take donations for the food bank instead of being paid.
Before I had kids I worked in a fitness center, and we used to do an annual food drive. We actually stopped doing it, because of the high rate of expired or otherwise unusable food. It was so maddening to have to throw out so much food!
There have been several threads over the years talking about donations like this. There are several articles that state that food banks much prefer money over food, as they can stretch their dollar much farther, and they can control their inventory better that way, but people like to feel good and donate an actual item and not just money. It's a hard balance for sure.
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muggins
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
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Post by muggins on May 12, 2020 23:28:33 GMT
I would add a note to your bin asking everyone to please check expiration dates before donating. I’ve just done it!! In big letters. DO NOT DONATE EXPIRED FOOD |
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Post by lesley on May 12, 2020 23:30:41 GMT
How pathetic. I am disgusted by their cheek.
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Dallie
Full Member
Posts: 490
Feb 25, 2020 16:33:25 GMT
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Post by Dallie on May 12, 2020 23:36:07 GMT
That is awful. I have always gone to the store and bought brand new items for donation. What makes people think those who need to utilize these resources only deserve their leftovers? That is what they think. If you need help, you only get the dregs and should be grateful for them. Years ago, I worked for a faith based organization. It had a OTC meds drive one year. Over half of them were opened or expired. Next year, gave very explicit instructions. Got same response. Discontinued the program. Oh and to be clear, the donations came from active and practicing Christians who were leaders in their churches. So, OP, I would not bother giving instructions. I would sell them and donate the money to the food bank. |
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msladibug
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,770
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Post by msladibug on May 12, 2020 23:41:21 GMT
I'd say DO NOT DONATE EXPIRED OR OPENED FOODS.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 13, 2020 0:11:02 GMT
My mother instilled in me that you give the foods you love. You give the best you can. One day, you might be the one who needs to receive. People can be real jerks. So disrespectful. Exactly! When my kids participate in school food drives, we always send the protein-rich items they ask for. Jars of PB, cans of solid tuna, cans of chicken. |
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,390
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Post by peaname on May 13, 2020 0:23:26 GMT
Sometimes people just suck. But other times people amaze me with their generosity. It’s so kind of you to make masks!
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,181
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Post by mich5481 on May 13, 2020 0:33:28 GMT
The money route would be better, as I know my local food bank said they could leverage $1 donated into $6 worth of food.
After volunteering there, I know they accept expired, unopened food - as long as the product is in good shape, they'll give it out. They do have deadlines for different types of food, so check with them before you throw stuff out.
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muggins
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
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Post by muggins on May 13, 2020 0:40:31 GMT
The money route would be better, as I know my local food bank said they could leverage $1 donated into $6 worth of food. After volunteering there, I know they accept expired, unopened food - as long as the product is in good shape, they'll give it out. They do have deadlines for different types of food, so check with them before you throw stuff out. I know money would be better and some people have chosen to make an online donation or leave cash for me to donate. There are so many people selling masks in our community, and I was just giving them away to essential workers. I was also collecting donations as I live on a corner plot and so many people are walking by my house everyday so I just put a box and a sign by my mailbox. Once companies started providing masks for their employees I decided to combine the masks for food. Many people have been extremely generous, but just recently I noticed a lot of unsuitable donations. |
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,493
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on May 13, 2020 0:43:08 GMT
It really does suck that people have not respect. As a team building exercise, my team spent a morning sorting food at Care and Share and OMG!!! These boxes had the pits of food items. As you, expired an have used items, but I couldn't believe all the items that had been opened and the content inside was dripping down the side like if you had used your syrup and dribble some down the side and didn't wipe it off, which then brought mice while the items sat in the warehouse waiting to be sorted. I could not believe ANYONE in their right mind would donate their used bottle of ketchup, mustard, syrup, relish, etc. Dumb Butts!
Thank you for your generosity.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on May 13, 2020 0:55:40 GMT
What's that old saying? "No good deed goes unpunished."
Other people's paucity does not diminish the generosity of what you are doing. Thank you for being one of the bright lights.
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Post by lisae on May 13, 2020 0:56:30 GMT
You're generously donating your time and money - fabric doesn't grow on trees and elastic is rarer than gold. Then these people go and mess up your great idea. I'm sorry this has happened. Leave them a note and hope they do better.
If you get fed up with them and you still want to make masks, I've found plenty of places - doctor's offices, the health department, the nursing home - who are happy to have masks. They have even sent handwritten thank you notes!
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Post by mikklynn on May 13, 2020 1:00:06 GMT
We had the same problem at our church. DH and I offered to pick it up from church and deliver it to food shelf. We saw really old, disgusting chow mein noodles on top. We ended up taking it home and sorting through it all. I was shocked at how awful it was. muggins You ROCK. |
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Post by maryland on May 13, 2020 1:13:22 GMT
That is awful. I have always gone to the store and bought brand new items for donation. What makes people think those who need to utilize these resources only deserve their leftovers? That's what we do! We did the recommended 2 week "stockpile" at the beginning. We keep all the new food in clothes baskets in our dining room. We have way too much, and we haven't used it as fast as we thought. We will donate much of it when the food bank is ready for more. And keeping it all together, we know it is newer and good to donate. |
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,556
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Post by cycworker on May 13, 2020 1:15:55 GMT
I totally agree. Part of the problem is that people have now read articles telling them that the dates aren't necessarily 'toss by' dates. I had an argument about this with someone. She said it could still be used. I said, 'you could well be right. So you use it, and give the food bank something better quality."
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Post by shescrafty on May 13, 2020 1:31:34 GMT
That stinks!
My best friend is collecting $10 per mask and donating to the food bank. She and her husband are matching up to $500. So far she has collected about $800 (some people give more than $10) and that is before she and her husband did the matching.
You are doing a wonderful thing. But some people are not caring. Perhaps you can switch to another method and donate money collected instead. That way you don’t have to worry about spoiled food.
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