//Apparently, food banks won't take home made stuff either. Ridiculous//
While it was a very thoughtful gesture on your part APG its not ridiculous. Foodbanks have to abide by health and safety (I know, I know) Sell by dates and all that (plus, if its home made, who knows what has gone into it?).
We have to get rid of any food that been opened....such as cereal, pasta etc, simply because we cant take that chance of it having been tampered with (there are some loons out there who would)
Still a fabulous gesture on your half though :-)