We are always grateful for donations to our Cardinal Hume Centre charity shop; everything we receive helps us to do more for families in Westminster.
There are however a few things that sadly we’re unable to take, and we’d hate for anyone to have a wasted journey to us, so please check the list below before donating your items.
Basic / value priced items are perfectly fine. In fact, they are preferable in many cases. Stretch your money wisely and get as much as you can (of a decent basic quality) in order to help as many people as possible. Even just a few pounds will go a long way. If you see a “buy one, get one free” offer in the supermarket, why not choose that item instead of your usual brand? Some people just add £10 to their big shop
Many people are in fuel poverty, so like things that can be eaten cold or with minimal boiling. Many families only have a kettle.
Priority items indicated with *
Dry items
*White rice or brown rice (not big sacks)
*Basmati rice
*Chick peas / Lentils
*Dried pasta Couscous
Dried beans / peas (such as black eyed beans, dried lentils, etc)
Soups – packet
Packet noodles (ideally ones that just need hot water added)
Cereal bars
Flour
Sugar (small bags)
Tea bags (everyday)
Instant mash potato
Dried fruit (e.g. raisins)
Quinoa
Breakfast cereals (basic brands)
Muesli
Jars
*Pasta sauces
*Hot Sauce
Honey
Peanut butter
Instant coffee
Liquids
*Cooking oil
Long life / UHT milk Semi-Skimmed
Long life fruit juice
Squash
Canned foods (with pop-top lids ideally)
*Tinned tomatoes (cheapest is fine, often chopped)
*Canned pulses such as lentils or beans
Coconut milk
Tuna
Sardines
Tinned vegetables
Tinned fruit
Tinned meat
Rice pudding
Sweetcorn
Chick-peas
Toiletries
*Sanitary pads (not tampons)
Wet wipes
Deodorants (unisex)
Soap
Shampoo / 2 in 1
Shower gel
Disposable razors
Nappies (disposable, unisex). Size 3, 5, 6 are popular
Toothpaste
Body moisturiser
Household (please bag these separately away from food)
Kitchen roll
Household cleaning products
Washing powder / gel
Washing up liquid
“Environmentally friendly” household products are preferred, to reduce the volume of harmful substances
Kid’s treats
Snacks/ treats for pack lunch
Healthy snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit)
Chocolate bar
Biscuits
Tinned fruit
Raisins
Other
*Store vouchers (Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury’s etc.)
*Spices (turmeric, paprika, all spice, dried garlic)
Carrier bags (not the 5pm type, but the heavier grade / ‘bag for life’)
Black pepper
Chilli powder
AA batteries (new, in packaging)
Can opener (cheap, basic)
Phone chargers (new)
Seasonal – Winter months
Gloves (adult / child), woolly hats, child scarf.
Sleeping bags (used are fine, clean)
Less popular:
Baked beans
Soups – tinned
Jam / marmalade
Marmite
Alcohol
Pet food
Unusual items – octopus, caviar, truffle oil
Formula milk
Baby food
Talcum powder
Please avoid
Fresh milk
Bleach
Opened items
Out-of-date items (although tins are normally OK up to 1 year)
Unlabeled food or any food packages that do not list ingredients
Items where the labels are not in English
Homemade items
Frozen food
Cracked jars
Part-used toiletries
Electrical goods
