Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Should I use a food bank in my situation?

519 replies

Lionking1981 · 19/08/2017 01:38

I am 200 pounds down on my normal wages this month due to taking unpaid parental leave when my Dd was ill. Overspent the first week of the month trying to occupy the kids. Then my oven broke and had to replace it. Been living out the freezer and store cupboard since. To cut the story short, I now have 30 pounds to survive 10 days til payday. I have 3 small joints of lamb in the freezer, a box
of waffles and some fish fingers. A few tins of baked beans, tomatoes and soup in cupboard.

My friend says to go to the foodbank but I am super uncomfortable about it. We earn over 40k between us and i don't think food banks are there for people like us but it is going to be really hard to feed a family of 4 on this. However, we will be fine next month. Would you just make do for the 10 days?

OP posts:
MsMommie · 19/08/2017 21:06

Short answer is 'yes'
Yes, you should.

PencilsInSpace · 19/08/2017 21:11

As for the foraging, I love a bit of free food! We go blackberry picking every year and make bramble jam. That saves a lot on jam throughout the year!

Does it really? Have you ever done the sums? Placed a value on your time? Worked out the cost of fuel, sugar, jars, papers, equipment ...

Going out to gather berries from 'the wild', bringing them home and turning them into wonderful home made preserves is a fantastic thing to do. It's not a way of saving money though.

PencilsInSpace · 19/08/2017 21:12

No-one, anywhere, has said they think it is a suitable response to food poverty.

Why has it been suggested on this thread then?

MsMommie · 19/08/2017 21:25

You have no breakfast, lunches, snacks and only a few dinners... plus £30 for EVERYTHING to last ten days.

I don't know where people here shop, but you're not going to get too far on £30. So, you can let pride stop you, or let the opinions of a few stop you. Or you can go to your local council, doctor, sure start centre, CAB and be referred to a food bank and not worry how your actually going to give your children all their meals and snacks for the next 10 days.
Nobody in the real world is half as brave as the opinionated people on here. Nobody stands outside a food bank checking if the people in need are 'Poor enough'
Not everyone who goes to the food bank is a jobless parent on benefits. The absolute majority of people who use them are actually working.
It's not relevant that you wasted a load of money at the start of summer trying to keep your kids happy, it's not relevant that you had a new oven because your old one wasn't working properly.. it's relevant that you are worried about how you are going to feed your family for the next 10 days and pride should not get in the way of making sure they have what is necessary.
You messed up, you overspent, you made a mistake with your budgeting. Hardly crime of the century.
Just go, OP.
F* other people's opinions, do whatever you need to do to make sure your kids are fed. It's that simple xx

SerfTerf · 19/08/2017 21:27

Round of applause for MsMommie Smile👏🏻

Bobson · 19/08/2017 21:28

No of course you shouldn't.

BabychamSocialist · 19/08/2017 21:36

Where the bloody hell would you find blackberries these days except in the countryside? Call me thick, but if someone is thinking of using a food bank, wouldn't wasting valuable petrol looking for a blackberry bush be one of the lowest priorities?

We live semi-rurally and I wouldn't have a clue where to look round here to pick Blackberries.

BabychamSocialist · 19/08/2017 21:36

Also, MsMommie is absolutely correct. Bravo!

quercuscircus · 19/08/2017 21:36

pencils the OP is not in food poverty so suggesting she might like to go blackberrying (also a cheap way to entertain and exercse the kids) is hardly offensive.

But even someone in real food poverty might appreciate the fresh fruit.

The hardest thing can be just carrying on with 'mundane' tasks while your life is going down the pan, but if you can find the energy (and have the health) then something like blackberrying could help a bit.

We once found a source of free and fresh fruit and it was a real highlight. No one is suggesting it is a magic wand or will change the world but it can be a welcome change from pasta and beans week after week.

You don't have to make jam - they can be frozen then just boiled up with a little bit of sugar and added to some cheap custard or yoghurt every now and then or on some cereal. When things are generally shit you've got to find some small enjoyment wherever you can.

I'll say again: food banks from the Trussell Trust and others are for those in crisis

mittens maybe the OP could SWAP a lamb joint for a chicken or two - what is the barter rate for a joint of lamb vs a chicken?!!

Lurkedforever1 · 19/08/2017 21:40

Round here anyone who works for the council etc would just recommend/help with a budget because the vast majority they deal with live on a similar amount all the time. They wouldn't be pulling out the violins for the poor person who can't manage on 40k.

Especially because on 40k you generally can get a £20 overdraft and it's unlikely that all your friends, colleagues and neighbours are equally skint. If you can't swallow your pride and ask one of those to lend you £20 you don't have any right to take it in the form of donations from strangers

quercuscircus · 19/08/2017 21:43

Utter bollocks Ms Mommie people do check - you'll need a referral from an approved agency to get a voucher to get a parcel from most food banks and it will be means tested. Or if a sudden crisis then caused by serious illness/ death/ house loss - there has to be a real food crisis. Because the food should go to people who need it most.

Can the OP not buy a cheap loaf and have toast for breakfast?

food banks from the Trussell Trust and others are for those in CRISIS

BabychamSocialist · 19/08/2017 21:45

quercuscircus

Nobody's saying that there aren't checks. The poster meant that nobody stands on the door checking the incomes of people. Her £40k salary is irrelevant right now - she's in a food crisis, so she would qualify for a food voucher.

quercuscircus · 19/08/2017 21:50

And MsMommie there are many people and families living in hostels or single rooms in shared houses whose only chance to cook hot food is on a hob in their room - try telling these people that 3 joints of lamb plus extras is a food crisis. Or the homeless who don't rarely get hot food at all?

You shoud be ashamed of yourself for encourage the OP to take food away from those in real need when all she needs to do is tighten her belt for a few days. It will be a good lesson for them family to learn as it sounds like she hasn't experienced it before.

By your reckoning half the bloody population would think themsleves entitled to use foodbanks - that is just taking the piss.

quercuscircus · 19/08/2017 21:53

Fuck off is it a food crisis Joints of lamb, beans, soup, waffles? You clearly don't know the meaning of the word.

Sure they don;t stand on the door - they sit in chairs inside and will only accept a voucher.

pilates · 19/08/2017 21:54

There is a big difference being on the poverty line and not budgeting your money well Hmm

quercuscircus · 19/08/2017 21:55

Working out how many packets of super noodles you can get for 87p that is somehow supposed to last you a month is a food crisis

SerfTerf · 19/08/2017 21:57

OMG the stench of bleeding PIETY on this thread.

Who has the right to decree that poverty (food, child or garden variety) can only be calculated annually? Rather than weekly or monthly?

Who gets to say that temporary poverty doesn't count? That power caused by a miscalculation or mishap doesn't count?

Would you enjoy the feeling that you don't know whether you can feed your children or not for the foreseeable?

Go and look in your cupboards and your bank accounts and give the woman a break.

Threenme · 19/08/2017 21:59

I am shocked that anyone could feed a family for 10 days on £30. I am not remotely rich but my kids would easily eat that in just fruit and snacks especially over the holidays!

Threenme · 19/08/2017 22:01

Very much agree serf if the cooker hadn't broken op would have £££££ left these things happen. Think making a donation after would be a nice idea

katronfon · 19/08/2017 22:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SerfTerf · 19/08/2017 22:05

Yes it's a food crisis.

Coldkebab · 19/08/2017 22:05

I think use it then if you can donate at a later date that way your be helping others to

MsMommie · 19/08/2017 22:06

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

quercuscircus · 19/08/2017 22:09

That is a ridiculous argument SerfTerf of course there has to be some sort of calculation done. There simply isn't enough money to feed everybody. Why are the foodbanks themselves rationing food if it wasnt necessary? Food and money are finite and those most in need must come first.

The OP said herself that she would be fine next month She is not in temporary poverty! It is incredinly insulting to say so.

This is nothing more than a temporary cash flow problem caused by one unusually bad month. She hasn't said her home or anyone's heath is at risk or that she will have to not pay a bill in order to eat. No one is at risk here. They'll just have dull food for a few days and loads of lamb!!!

SerfTerf · 19/08/2017 22:13

Why is it ridiculous?

I'm pretty sure the receipt for the cooker and wage slips (or a peek in the freezer) would satisfy anyone doing checks. But my understanding is that the food project voucher schemes don't run on checks (or annual income).

She has a crisis, she asks for help, she gets it.

Later on, she can return the favour. It's a great system.

Swipe left for the next trending thread