Best things to give.

first line correction, should say:

r.e food banks, I am now able to donate after being helped to change my outlook.

Our local food bank has a web site listing items particularly needed and also importantly those not needed. At the moment they don’t need pasta and tinned fish. We tend to be guided by that. In general a anything from tinned vegetables to biscuits, toiletries to pet food and yes, sanitary protection and nappies. Perhaps see if yours has a similar site? If not any basic product or give your local food bank a ring and ask. I’m pleased you will donate.

I know our local food bank is desperate for nappies, baby wipes and sanitary protection.
So when DGD needed a bigger size of nappies, I would take the smaller size and those left at her parents and make them into packs of six for the food bank. They were very appreciative of them, as some mums would come in in tears, having no money to buy nappies.
I usually pick up tins of stews, curries etc, as they just need rice or potatoes to make a meal.
The children in our school got free fruit, three days a week, but there was such a lot of waste and some teachers just threw it out. It made me so angry, as someone brought up in poverty.
I used to fill the schoolbags of the less well off children with the leftover fruit, without the other pupils knowing.

In addition to what has been suggested, washing powder, cleaning materials. Clients would have a bit more money to spend on food. Absolutely anything is helpful. Apart from alcohol!

I agree pensionpat cleaning materials are so expensive, as are sanitary products etc.
It's a good idea if the food bank has a list of items needed.

My local states what they need desperately, coffee and cereals to name a couple and items which they have plenty of are baked beans and biscuits. That is helpful.

The food bank near us wants basics with a longish shelf life, tinned veg rather than fresh etc, plain cornflakes rather than sweetened , sugary breakfast cereals, long life milk etc. Makes sense and please don't stop donating. Why should the truly vulnerable suffer just because a few abuse the system ?

Most food banks have a website which is worth checking out.

Yes indeed - there is now an easy way to donate much-needed sanitary and toiletry goods... can be done either via your local food bank or online ...
www.the-pool.com/beauty/beauty-honestly/2018/7/Sali-Hughes-and-Jo-Jones-launch-Beauty-Banks

I always stick a couple of things in when in Saintsbury's, you never miss it. I believe they get loads of dried pasta so not putting that in at the minute. They had mentioned wanting canned fruit, not as good as fresh of course but if its not in syrup would be good for puddings.
In the early days of my marriage break up I struggled to feed a family and would work out a menu for the week and stick to that. I've not forgotten what that feels I like so am more than happy to help now.

I give baked beans usually, as I understand that they are good nutritionally and most people like them.

I give eggs (clients of Foodbank are allowed 3 each), tampons, sanitary pads, toiletries, cereals, loo rolls - clients allowed 2 per visit, I think, so multi packs are split up. Washing powder tablets or sachets (boxes are split to hand out so many at a time). Biscuits, crisps, energy bars, canned fruit, pet foods, some little packets of sweets for the children. Our local Morrison’s donate fruit and veg regularly, and if the Foodbank van can get there by 5pm, Greggs donate bakery goods. I also often hand in bread which goes into their freezer along with other frozen items that have been handed in.
Obviously, I don’t hand in all of this every week, but try to give an assortment of these items.
Like Smithy and many others, I’ve had to struggle in earlier years, too.
Warm clothes are also needed just now.

Or WI collects every month for local food hub & they send us an email every month with what they are short of.
It works very well. They came & gave a very inspiring talk too.
I'm sure most Hubs publish a list f requirements of you know where to look for it.

I put in cereals and long life milk,so at least children can get themselves breakfast before they go to school

They like long life milk at mine too, also nappies, sanitary protection, tinned soup, tinned meat eg corned beef, jars of pasta sauce and washing tablets. They tend to be given lots of pasta and rice.

Packest of biscuits, energy bars and baked beans - these are items that don't need cooking (cold baked beans with a dash of Balsmic vinegar is delish!), as many who use foodbanks have often not been able to afford gas/electric too.

Mr Phil Hammond please take note!

What about the new type of reusable sanitary products? I don't know much about them but surely they would be more efficient and save in the longer term.

Our food bank asks for disposable razors, female sanity products, toilet rolls, nappies, toothpaste and soap, never enough of these items. Most foodstuffs are welcome though they do appreciate extra things such as long life milk in particular, and breakfast cereals of all kinds and sizes. Think they run out certain things much quicker than others. Also treats like nice biscuits or sweets are never refused.

Yes, do check with your local foodbank which should have a website and a list of what is needed. My DN said they do get a lot of tinned beans, pasta, rice etc and said that sometimes puddings, tins of custard, rice pudding etc are appreciated. Jars of coffee, tea and l/l milk.

Toiletries (including toothbrushes and toothpaste for adults and children), sanitary products and laundry products too.

As Niobe says, no fresh food, only that with a long shelf life, which sounds quite limited but supermarkets will often donate fresh food too.

I help out at one and toilet rolls, toothpaste etc are always welcome.

Many years ago we all used towelling nappies, used over and over again. I know they need rinsing and washing but it would save money and the planet

JanaNana - please tell me how to get hold of some female sanity products!

Mabonl an admirable concept, but if you are keeping a very close watch on heating bills and electricity in general, then washing and drying nappies is more expensive.