D's school publicly rounded up all the kids on free school meals and

[mutternutter]

Gave them a free pen. Only been on FSM a week. I feel so ashamed. Had a breakdown just as me and kids were running from abusive relative. Not dh who is dead. D's year 7 .
I don't know what to do next. Do schools do this? Not even had any benefits yet just claimed. Never claimed before and I feel dirty. We went months with just my DLA and cb and CTC. Really rather just struggle on til I get a new job but dds Clarke shoes fell apart. D's needs a school coat. I have one pair of non waterproof shoes and I have no warm coat
Can anyone help. I feel beat

That's a really shot thing for the school to do. If definite contact them.

TattyDevine that's such a lovely post!

Shit not shot!

Weren't you already claiming benefits? DLA, CB and CTC? I don't see how one more changes much.

What coat did you wear last year? Is your stuff at the house you left? Can someone get things back for you?

I am always trying to give children's stuff away (often very lightly used) but can never find a charity or SureStart that will accept donations directly to give to needy families. Very frustrating.

I imagine the pen thing was done in a more subtle way than you fear.

Echoing Tatty's post - message me both your sizes too. I have far too many coats and shoes! I possibly do not have such good taste in coats or boots but I promise they will be warm and clean.

Sounds like it was handled badly by the school.

I have several pairs of shoes/boots I can no longer wear due to foot problems (nothing contagious!) message me your size too. Hopefully one of the people that have offered will be the same as you.

That sounds really awful for them to have done that. Was it in front of the school or in class? And how is a pen going to help them I would definitely speak to the school and find out what happened.

That does sound odd.

If her shoes are relatively new, take them back to Clarks. DD's sandals once well apart within a couple of weeks and Clarks replaced them no questions asked - manufacturing fault.

OP, have a search on facebook to see if there is an organisation called people help the people in your area. I know the Liverpool one is very successful at matching donations of food/ clothes/ furniture to those who need them.

My school would use pupil premium money to supply a FSM student with a filled pencil case if they didn't have equipment. They wouldn't give it to all because they might not need it.

Did your DC need a pen?

Maybe the pen was for anyone who had hot dinners, paid or unpaid?

I'm PM'd you

Do you look down on people who are on benefits? If so, then I have little sympathy for you.

If you don't, then remember most of us feel the same way (this is a democracy and we wouldn't have benefits if most people didn't support them). Ignore the Hate Mail frothers and Channel 4 and their nasty little programme. Most benefits claimants are just ordinary people on hard times. So no need for shame at all.

The pen is just weird though.

Hi everyone, thanks for your reports.

We do advise all our members to be aware that not everyone on t'internet is who they say they are, and that, although we're awed daily by the astonishing support our members give each other through life's trickier twists and turns, we'd always caution anyone never to give more of themselves to another poster, emotionally or financially, than they can afford to spare.

Hi thanks for replies. Spoke to school. H of house busy. School explained they need pp and are on a drive. In fact 16 more parents have now claimed.
They are a bit unsure how kids were called out but I did explain D's knew most of kids names.
Waiting for head of house to call. Am taking dd Clarke shoes back and I now have a thick coat from neighbour

Free Pen :-) Bonus

OP don't feel bad about FSMs.

I'm proud to be part of a system that is set up to help those who are struggling a bit. I'm happy to pay for it because it is right to help people where we can.

I don't think any the worse of anyone who needs help. I know how lucky I am and if MN has taught me anything at all, it is that I could so easily be in your position tomorrow through no fault of my own.

A whole pen. I don't understand what you're complaining about