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AIBU?

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Original poster

I seriously need help

138 replies

JenNtonic · 28/09/2025 10:11

Hi everyone. Hope all’s well.
over the past week, nearly two I’ve worked my way through all of our food.
please note this isn’t begging. I’ve had to pay for an emergency regarding my son that was unavoidable. I should add that he is now with his father so it’s just me in the house.
I have £1.27 electric which I know won’t go until 9am tomorrow.
I have googled Trussell trust and church feeds but none are over my end of the city.
I have even gone through the rice, the custard, just everything. Does anyone know of an emergency food service /bank that delivers or that I could walk to, that’s open on a Sunday ? I will take and accept anything I feel really quite ill now.
I get paid on the 3rd (Fri) so it’s just a tiny bit longer but I’ve been hungry for about 2 weeks now. I’m in south Wales
I know it’s my fault for not saving etc but I’ve been off my anti depressants the last two months and evidently, it was too soon as I’m not coping.
any advice gratefully received and thanks in advance to all xX

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
OnionBag · 28/09/2025 11:10

Have you any points on your boots card? You could get a sandwich and some fruit there.

Catssuddenlyappear · 28/09/2025 11:09

Wyndham Street Pantry might be a good place for you in the future - they're not open today, but they do open on Tuesday.

shellyleppard · 28/09/2025 11:07

@JenNtonic if your electric is on a card meter I think you can get an emergency credit?? Think you have to press a button?? Sorry for being vague but not had a card meter for a few years. Could you contact your supplier and ask for help x

GlosGirl82 · 28/09/2025 11:06

Go to a church. I am not religious but honestly - there are so many people with love and care who would be willing to help. They can start by giving you a cup of tea and a biscuit and will know local charity givers who can help. Find your nearest church. I am so sorry that you are in this position. There is no shame in it - tell someone in a church the truth about your food and electric - they can prob give you a donation immediately

boho878 · 28/09/2025 11:05

There's a free food bank this afernoon at St.Phillips Church. You ay need to check with them that it's still on but hope this helps

CafeDuck · 28/09/2025 11:04

People report these in case members aren’t aware of the scammers that prey on good natures on here. It’s a good thing imo. but don’t take it personally.

Keep checking olio, and head to the Sikh temple. They’ll help you.

PinkDisco35 · 28/09/2025 10:58

https://www.refugeecardiff.com/food

also look at this link. I’m not sure how up to date it is, but I know the Tav still has free burgers this evening, so at least you know you can get a hot meal. You could try calling Philips church to see if they have the food market in Tremorfa this afternoon.

Food | RefugeeCardiff

https://www.refugeecardiff.com/food

JLou08 · 28/09/2025 10:55

Call your local councils emergency duty team. They usually have a list of what's available, they may also have emergency funds for people in your situation.

Pancakeflipper · 28/09/2025 10:53

Have you posted on any local FB groups - there might be useful ideas local to you.

Original poster
JenNtonic · 28/09/2025 10:50

Hi xx have the olio app yes and there’s bread and potatoes (which I do want !) but they’re 4.2 miles away xx other than that there’s jars of coffee up at a motorway service station which I think is a shop

OP posts:
rosiebl · 28/09/2025 10:49

Have you got the Olio app Op? You can search for free food near you, people often give things away on there.

Titasaducksarse · 28/09/2025 10:46

Cardiff Seventh Day Adventist church, 71 cowbridge road east offers meals and things to people who are homeless on a Sunday evening. They might be able to help with some food tonight.

PinkDisco35 · 28/09/2025 10:45

You could message the Hangar Community Hub Pantry as I think they have food available on a Sunday. They do sometimes ask for a donation, but think they are flexible on that. So message them on Facebook. Also trying asking in the Cardiff Mums group on Facebook.

MyDeftHedgehog · 28/09/2025 10:41

Try the Olio app for free food x

Divebar2021 · 28/09/2025 10:40

If you can download the Olio app you might have a volunteer in walking distance - they always seem to have a ton of bread being given away but they distribute all sorts of things. Also £2 or £3 will get you some food from Too Good to Go at somewhere like Greggs if you have one near you. My app has shops like Costcutter and M&S Food at petrol stations, Pret, Starbucks etc. No idea what your local shops will be but you generally get considerably more than you pay. Check loyalty cards for points ?

NellieElephantine · 28/09/2025 10:40

InMyHealthyEra · 28/09/2025 10:26

Does your child live with their dad or just visiting? Maybe they could stay there longer term so you’re able to focus more on sorting out finances.

Has your DS eaten properly recently outside of being with his dad?

This, what was the emergency bill related to your son and how much was it @JenNtonic ?
Should ex not pay towards it? Is he paying CM?

Clutteredbrain · 28/09/2025 10:38

Local councils usually have an emergency fund, and a list of local resources on their websites. You can try checking if your utilities provider has any schemes to help too. Sunday is a difficult day to contact anyone, so the suggestions above around churches, Tesco points, olio etc may be best for today.

Original poster
JenNtonic · 28/09/2025 10:37

Omg I’ve been repo
rted. As if I wasn’t mortified Enough.
I have been given £24 electric voucher it’s to last until Friday (payday) but will last way beyond that and they just take some debt off each week (British Gas PAYG) xx what a Result.
the huggard centre is on the other side of the city and it’s a seriously dodgy place, and I mean heroine and stabbings
etc. now don’t get me wrong if I had the strength I’d probably go but on top of what I mentioned, it really is quite far.
thank you for all the suggestions. No money in sofa / coats bags and no tesco points. I t
tied doing a teeny £15 shop with PayPal at Asda and go puff and it was just declined. Xx

OP posts:
Horsedoglover59 · 28/09/2025 10:33

Is your gas/ electric on pay as you go meters? If they are you might be able to get a loan which they take off, bit by bit each time you top up. I hope that someone can help you with some info. Good luck

restlesslegsmisery · 28/09/2025 10:32

I work in a school, we have things in place to help with these situations. Our own food bank you can take from whenever needed. We would put you in touch with services. We would send home left over food from our hot meals. CN you speak to school?

THISnewbeginning · 28/09/2025 10:32

Do you have anything like Tesco points you could spend?

AzureCats · 28/09/2025 10:30

ilovesooty · 28/09/2025 10:29

Sikh communities often offer food too. Please contact your electric company online too.

Show quote history

I was going to suggest this. There's a Sikh temple on Ninian Park Road. Also a few others further east of the city on Google maps. Good luck op.

ilovesooty · 28/09/2025 10:29

Imanautumn · 28/09/2025 10:23

A lot of churches offer breakfast before the service.

Sikh communities often offer food too. Please contact your electric company online too.

LaMarschallin · 28/09/2025 10:29

Imanautumn · 28/09/2025 10:23

A lot of churches offer breakfast before the service.

And most offer hot drinks and biscuits afterwards.
Our organist used to eat his weight in chocolate digestives.

MNHQ
CoralMumsnet · 28/09/2025 10:28

Hello everyone
We've had a number of reports from people concerned about this thread so, as we usually do in these circs, we're putting our heads round the door with some important reminders.
We always ask users to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong. We strongly advise against parting with any cash or giving away your personal details, and if you receive a PM which makes you uneasy - report it to us and we’ll take a look.
Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – we really hope you get it all sorted soon.