I run a foodbank AMA

[STOPUKPOVERTY]

I run a foodbank. AMA

How often do you cry? Do you have any links for volunteering for all areas? I've tried searching through my local council, but I never seem to find any answers.

I think that what you do makes you an amazing person, and I don't think for one minute that you've posted this to hear that.

Hi OP. Ive donated to food banks regularly for about 5 years.

Have you seen a significant increase in their use in recent months? What is one thing you'd like people to know about food banks?

A mixture of both- cash can help us purchase items we're short of but without the food donations we'd be stuck!

It's area dependent but in our community I would say 75% of clients have been supported by us for 6 months+ not necessarily every week but on an off. There's a number of pensioners we support every winter as their pensions just don't stretch far enough to cover the cost of heating in the colder months.

The vast majority comes from Morrisons or Tesco collection points. Trussell has a relationship with Tesco so all foodbanks have a specific collection point in a large Tesco store - we also get a percentage top up from Tesco in cash on the estimated value of the donations which helps with running costs. We do have a lot of regular donations from churches and communities though which we appreciate!

Honestly, probably once a week although March was a particularly tough month and I did have to take myself off to compose myself during a few sessions. Our clients can really be the most amazing awe-inspiring people and to see them reduced to the position many of them are in breaks my heart.

You can find out about available volunteering roles on the Trussell website here : I'm posting to try and address some of the misunderstandings and misinformation I see posted quite frequently about foodbanks, and obviously if I can encourage a few donations along the way that's good too

Trussell volunteering roles

Thank you very much for your support.

Yes in our foodbank we've seen a 60% increase in demand for our services but the picture varies across the country. The end of year stats from Trussell are interesting reading if anyone would like to delve deeper.

I think the one thing I'd like people to know is how easily it is to find yourself in need of the foodbanks support. There is so much judgement and disdain for the most vulnerable in our society but really the vast majority of foodbank clients look just like you. It's so easy to do all the right things and still end up destitute due to rubbish luck. That said even if someone needs support due to poor life choices, it's our duty as a community to help them navigate a way through. I would really like to see more compassion and understanding from the UK population.

Sorry I missed the second part of your post which is an excellent question. A more robust support structure state mandated and centralised to ensure sufficient mental and physical health support, social housing provision and a universal basic income. A big ask but it's possible - just see how much money they government magicked up during covid. In the long term it would save the state money in paying for the consequences of leaving the vulnerable to suffer and struggle and rely on support from the third sector.

Hi OP. Have you ever run out of food/donations and had to turn people away?

Do you think the government relys on food banks . As in let's keep the poor , poor. The food banks will feed them ?

Re link with Tesco. I usually put some sanitary protection items and toiletries/toothpaste/shower gel in my local Tesco collection basket as well as food items.

However someone supposedly "in the know" told me that Tesco remove any items that are not "on the required list" ie printed on the side of the collection point and return them to the shelves.

I really didn't want to believe them and have continued to donate these items but am hoping you can reassure me that non food items do get to the foodbanks from Tesco.

Sorry should have said, only asking this as you said you wanted to address misinformation and I'm pretty sure this is a myth that's taken flight!

But surely that would be stealing? In other words Tesco stealing something that doesn't belong to them? If it has been paid for and donated it no longer belongs to Tesco surely?

My local Morrisons makes up packs that you can buy - goods that come to £1.72 on a bag so you just pay that much but the goods are preselected. If they do that near you do they chose well - I believe it's a staff member who picks rather than them getting a list.

No thankfully not - we are lucky to be in an area with plentiful donations but we do run out of particular items and have to buy them in.
Other foodbanks particularly in busy inner city areas are not so lucky.

Yes absolutely. The current wilful neglect of vast swathes of the population by the government is nothing short of criminal. It shouldn't be our responsibility but if we don't step in what is the alternative? I do reassure myself that the data at least is used by Trussell to try and change that.

This is (thankfully!) total rubbish! Not true at all.

Yes this is a fantastic scheme. We have a great relationship with our local Morrisons and their Community Champions receive a list of items we're short of each month to help them put together packs of the things we really need. Morrisons do so much for foodbanks (and other community groups!) they are the best supermarket for it in my experience

Are you allowed to name some of the companies that donate to Foodbanks? Eg I think M&S do in my area. I also see Gails Bakery loading bags of stuff each day which I've heard goes to local foodbanks.

What do you need more of?

Thanks for this AMA. I make referrals to food banks in my role with a charity. I can say without hesitation that every single person I refer is in desperate need (it always bothers me that often peerless first thought is that undeserving penne are issuing the system).

To be honest, while our service users are pitifully grateful for the packages they get from the food bank (and never complain) when they tell me what they were given, it really doesn't seem very much for three days. How does the foodbank decide what is three days of food?

Aaargh. My keyboard hates the word people! Peerless and penne?!😟

My Foodbank does 7 days and we have pick lists for different size households.

Again i think it differs area to area but Asda and Tesco I think are the biggest corporate partners. Individual supermarkets and businesses will choose to support different local food banks according to local need so its not a Trussell monopoly. Fareshare receive a lot I think too. Trussell have corporate level relationships with Waitrose too.

Volunteers, cooking oil and microwave sponge puddings!

That's to @MarshaBradyo sorry quote fail!