To e really uncomfortable about this food bank usage?

[EssieTregowan]

It's not strictly a food bank, it's a local church community project, they get donated out of date food and run a free cafe, and every few weeks they run a free drop in where you can basically pick up what you like.

It is advertised as for everybody, tbf, but their website is very clear that its aim is to tackle food poverty.

My sister has been three times and keeps sharing the link and gushing about all the free food she's been getting.

I am really, really uncomfortable with this. They have three holidays a year, drive a new car, both have good jobs. They are not in any way in poverty. She is very tight and loves a bargain (nothing wrong with that) and is chuffed to bits to be getting a crate of free food every few weeks.

It makes me feel a bit sick though. I can't say anything in real life as I'll look like a bitch and probably be accused of being jealous

Aibu? This just strikes me as all kinds of wrong but I'm prepared to be told otherwise.

Oh no! You poor thing, dearest sister! I had no idea you couldn't afford to buy food. How lucky for you that the church has set up th service to feed the poor and needy. If you need money, do ask, I'll do what I can to help.

chuffed to bits to be getting a crate of free food every few weeks.

I'm speechless. And she's just booked a summer holiday at Center Parcs?

I would have a quiet confidential word with the people running it. They may not be able to do anything immediately but if they are aware, .... the loveliness of the freebies your rellie is getting may wane....

My sister had to use a food bank as they had no money or food. I went with her and sat and chatted to one of the women working there. She was very nice and made sure there was some treats in the bag too too. People like your sister make me sick

Wow, she really is the living end. There's being tight, there's searching out all the bargains you can find - one of my best mates is that person and I am sometimes jealous of the bargains she gets that I'd love to have found, but also vice versa - and then there's being happy to basically steal food from the poor.

You sound like a kind and decent woman, your sister sounds morally bankrupt. YANBU

You're not wrong some people have no shame! My old neighbour clearly lots of money husband in banking she used to have a really good job, which she gave up for kids. Constantly having work done! But yet went for a scholarship for son obvs I don't see their bank account but knowing them as I did it was very unlikely they couldn't afford to pay for both children and still be comfortably off! Of course like with the food she's allowed to go for it, but I just feel it should be for those kids who are clever but can't afford it! Very good friend got offered 40% off school fees, they turned it down and said it wasn't enough! They got 50% in the end as the school thought they couldn't afford it! Which is rubbish as they keep telling us things about their finances and they are doing very well! The school even found them second hand uniform as they felt sorry for them! Again they could afford the new stuff! But hey I guess that's why these guys have more money than us!!!

Ahhh, how many times have I told my son
'just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should' .
Looks like some adults need to learn this valuable life lesson too!

Wow. How self absorbed must she be, not to realise the implications of what she's doing?

My sister has been three times and keeps sharing the link and gushing about all the free food she's been getting.

She is most likely "taking food from a baby". Very bad.

FFS. Have you people not read the FareShare ethos?

It's not all about poor people that can't afford to eat and you can just happily pat yourselves on the back that they have somewhere to go but not mix with them.

It's about food waste and breaking down social barriers and the stigma, as OP unwisely called it, of poverty and vulnerability and how we have a responsibility to get stuck in.

YANBU... she is taking the items from people that really need it...

She's not

I actually can't believe there's a person alive in Britain who doesn't know what a food bank is for, and is so oblivious to their ignorance that they post about it on social media. I mean I actually can't believe it.

I'm being unfair to OP. There is a stigma about being poor or lonely or otherwise vulnerable. But there shouldn't be. That's why organisations such as FareShare are so valuable.

It's not a food bank EpoxyResin

Just read your post limitedperiod; are you saying there are some (all??) food banks that aim to tackle food wastage as well as food poverty, or perhaps instead of? Gosh, perhaps the OP's sister is the better informed of all of us!

It sounded like it from the description... Is there some similar but different thing? Perhaps common knowledge is at fault!

I should say it sounds like a food bank by any other name, although not an official one.

I'm all for reducing food waste, but she needs to put something back.

How did the chat go?

Are you still on speaking terms ?

I help at a food stall where the people just want to give out free food to anyone. Most of the people who go look genuinely poor and out of luck. The food Is generally a vegan lunch and cakes, buscits and hot drinks. This makes it easier to do as there's no admin or hoops to just play through and it's partly a chat.

Think of all the poor people who don't go to food bank because of the form filling and stigma, so these people are helping way more people than doing it officially. It does seem your sister is taking the Micky so just drop some heavy hints. Also she may need the food but have to put on a front, although if she was that proud why would she talk about it. The church must know if there's free food someone will take adverntage.

Op has said it's a FareShare project Epoxy. Have a read

It isn't a foodbank! It is a fareshare scheme. Anyone can go to them, they are just ways of reducing the waste that supermarkets get rid of.

It sounds like the same thing they do in my town, in fact I think it might be my town from one of your previous posts.

It is getting rid of surplus food rather than a food bank. I've been a few times and although we can afford food, we spend as little as possible because we don't have that much money (no holiday this year) and it is advertised as being for everyone, and to tell friends.

I'm all for saving good food from being binned so I don't have a problem with taking the food for my family, or your sister taking it. Maybe you could even go along.

It's not a food bank! It's open to everyone! They even tell you to tell your friends, and tell you you don't need to prove you need the food. It's to stop food wastage. They send out food parcels to those in need before offering it to the rest of the towns people.