The point I'm making is if you continue to fill the gaps in the welfare state with charity you allow the government to make more gaps. I understood your point and even answered, in part, as though I agreed with it. I'll ask again - the gap between food banks ceasing and a government picking up the whole of the slack - what happens? How do the most needy get fed?
I appreciate what I say isn't popular but the increase in foodbanks is their own doinfgonce a government sees that people can manage (on charity) they will cut further. But there you are incorrect. Like almost every other charity worker I know I would be delghte to stop! What you are suggesting is vert popular. What you haven't got is anything beyond a theory....
In another 10 yrs you'll have more people relying on their help - lets not kid ourselves here, full time employment is a thing of the past, Covid is destroying the economy and technology is replacing jobs in the millions.
The country is facing mass unemployment and those in work are likely to face cutbacks to pay for the Covid crisis, what do we do? create more foodbanks? Do you really think foodbank organisers aren't aware of the increase? The change in client base? And do you think they are just sitting back thinking "Oh well!"?
People wont starve if you stop foodbanks - thats a strawman argument. Sure there will be short term hardship but ultimately it is the way to solve the problem. And that is where you are wrong. People who turn to theft, people who turn to begging, prostitution, they won't starve if foodbanks close.
What do you define as short term hardship? WHat do you think that is, in real life?
By and large you don't solve economic / social issues with charity, you prolong the problem. You will only change things with mass action that will either bring down the government or force it to act. By and large I don't expect anyone in the charity sector thought they would solve societal issues. They wanted to step in and make the lives of the worst off better whilst other campaigning made societal changes!
You will end up in a Dickensian dystopia if we keep relying on charity to prop up the government whilst they cut taxes on the wealthy. Oh smart words, they are so evocative... but some of my clients lived in just such a dystopia before they found us and many other supportive orgaisations, mostly charitable!
We've had volunteers manning libraries allowing for job cuts, we have foodbanks allowing welfare cuts, we have volunteers working in healthcare during a crisis - where does it all stop? Lets cut taxes even more we can have a volunteer firebrigade, volunteer doctors etc. Allowing? That's the crux of it isn't it? You see stepping in as allowing the government to cut costs... and you will lay that blame...
Charity may have its place in funding the dogs home etc but it isn't a substitute for adequate government funded welfare, healthcare etc I agree ith you. I would imagine every single person working in every charity sector would!
We pay tax and national insurance for government services not charitable aid. Yes...
The USA had had charities plugging inadequate welfare and look at the inequality they have. Ooh! I could start with Obamacare, NHS etc, but maybe that would take too long!
If you think a foodbank is helping people you are sadly mistaken. That depends entirely on your perspective. I see near neighbours without food, heating and support. So I choose to help. You see a much bigger, less human picture and choose not to!
The difference is, I suppose, that I help the individual AND lobby the government. I am capable of seeing both needs and applying myself to them!