I run a foodbank AMA

[STOPUKPOVERTY]

I run a foodbank. AMA

Is there a ‘typical’ food bank user? What kind of situation do you see most often?

How much do you actually know about the users? Are they obliged to tell you anything?

What are the most useful things to donate?

How do you do the job when you know that it is wrong that there should be any need for food banks?

Nope. Anyone can need our help. We've seen a massive increase in what most people would consider "middle class" clients since Covid as so many of the self employed or otherwise tenuously employed were financially impacted.

The most common cause of crisis is someone supported by benefits (usually working and topped up by UC) whose benefits are deducted for whatever reason. Could be an overpayment, a debt they owe for council tax or utilities etc. Often pushes them to not affording the basics

We are always happy to chat but generally don't "require" anything. Our support isn't means tested. We're a franchise of the Trussell Trust so receive an electronic food voucher with the person's information and a brief reason for their crisis but this is only really used to help us suggest any other support that we may know of eg domestic violence support

Woops missed the donation question @Mytoddlerisamazing
Most foodbanks have their own wishlists on social media or at their donation collection points. It can vary depending on what they're short of. We always have plenty of beans, pasta and soup, and usually ask for donations of puddings as people don't usually donate them.

Is there any limit to how often people can access your service? Pre-pandemic I would often make a foodbank referral as part of my job. We were limited to three referrals per family as it was only supposed to be a temporary crisis measure. I have a different job now but suspect three referrals would no longer be sufficient to plug a gap.

Some days are really hard. It can be very difficult to witness the struggles of people day in day out and know we are just helping with a tiny part of their problems. As we are a Trussell franchise foodbank we benefit massively from the network of foodbanks in coordinating our work to ensure we're working towards eliminating the need for foodbanks. The practical and emotional support from other foodbank managers is great too, and helps when things get too much.

All the information and data we process feeds into Trussell and their research and lobbying will hopefully make some changes at a governmental level that will deliver the changes that our clients really need, so they won't need us.

This is up to the individual foodbank but most I know have now changed or scrapped the limit entirely. At my foodbank we have no limit and use our discretion. We're unlikely to turn away someone in need of support.

Tesco’s finest steak pie in red wine sauce.

Yes or no?

Thanks for answering @STOPUKPOVERTY , it's good to know noone in need will be turned away.

How much does staffing cost? Warehouse storage and transportation as well as all other bills associated with the business.
How many man hours and miles are wasted transfering food from supermarkets to the foodbank?

Is the foodbank closer to people than their nearest supermarket?

Referrals are from whom? How often and what value.

How much food waste is there from direct food bank or end users not liking what they get?

What percentage of users use other foodbanks?

What percentage of end users has debt they can not manage? Do they get assistance with this?
What percentage don't use the food they are given? (Selling on or just throwing away?)

Would referrals via a supermarket voucher scheme be more satisfying for end users?

Yes! Please 🙏

Do you suspect that some take advantage while they could afford the items themselves? I was invited to become involved in a similar type charity a few years ago, I left within a few months because I had seen so much abuse of its funds by people who could easily afford to support themselves. These were families I knew but they hadn't realised I was volunteering backstage, the final straw was a request for a fill of heating oil by a person I knew who had just recently booked a foreign holiday for his family.

Do you think anyone dishonestly uses this service just because they want free stuff? (In other words, they are not actually in need financially)
It’s almost impossible to know for sure but do you think it happens?

@Doggydarling
Xpost!

1. Very much depends on the foodbank. Because we are small our costs are low, but larger foodbanks have a higher turnover so higher costs. I'm the only paid member of staff. Its tricky to identify those costs but we do keep an eye on the cost to us of delivering a food parcel. The average food parcel "costs" us £10-11 to provide (accounting for all our expenses). The value of that parcel if purchased straight from a supermarket is around £25-30

1. It depends where they live! We offer collection and delivery and many clients are housebound or disabled.

3 Our referral agents are almost all local agencies in our area, including GPs, schools, churches and other charities. Food parcel vouchers don't have a value they are redeemable for a food parcel suitable for the client.

1. Our clients are encouraged to share their dislikes with us before packing their parcel, and to check and leave anything they wouldn't use. We divert any out of date or damaged donations to other food based charities who can use it. We're as close to zero waste as we can get.

1. Impossible to know. We are the only foodbank operating in our area but that is unusual. Most communities now have multiple foodbanks and other sources of low cost food like communal pantries and fridges

1. The majority of clients have debt issues. They receive advice usually before they come to us (as they're referred) but if necessary we signpost to support services available.

1. We have no way of tracking what happens to the food we give to people once its left the premises.

1. Possibly - theres a lot of research that suggests having a choice over their items can provide a more positive experience.

Yes it does happen. We do what we can to ensure it doesn't but I can confidently say it is a tiny tiny minority. Likely less than 1% in my experience and that's not sufficient to remove support to the overwhelming majority who desperately are in need.

The Trussell Trust is based on, shaped, and guided by Christian principles. These values have strong roots in the Christian teaching and practice

Are you a Christian?

Does it worry you that basic essential help is being provided by an organisation with a specific religious ideology?

Would you prefer to work for a food bank that is not associated with a particular religion?

I am not religious. Religion (or lack thereof) has never been an issue since I started my job. Many foodbanks originated in churches so do have strong ties but my foodbank has volunteers from all denominations or none, and it's just a non issue.

Before I started I was concerned about how focused on religion Trussell would be, but aside from an optional prayer at the annual conference it doesn't play a huge role. It's definitely more of the 'principles' ie being a decent human and looking after those in the community who need us - in my opinion basic human decency rather than particular religious doctrine

Would you generally prefer people donate cash, or do you get a decent mix of goods donated?

Do you see most of your users as long-term users of the food bank or is it generally temporary?

If long-term, is there one 'easy' change you would suggest to stop people needing food banks? (I don't mean like 'get higher paid jobs' but e.g. changes to practicalities of accessing benefits in a timely way, practicalities of jobs, debt management, caring support, etc).

Well done op! I refer people to the food bank our one had a max of 3 visits a year which has risen to 5 due to the pandemic. They don't want anyone to rely on the food bank they want us to help with benefit/budgeting/debt advice and refer in cases of emergency.

Do most of your donations come from individuals or from supermarkets?

Why the name calling? All very valid and well thought out questions.