Should I use a food bank in my situation?

[Lionking1981]

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?

Don't you have to be referred to a food bank by social services?

I know you can't just turn up to the ones in my area. The access requirements are fairly strict.

I'm sorry, but it's stories like this which put me off donating to food banks. Have you really done everything in your power to find a few extra quid? You really can't sell anything, or borrow a tenner from a family member, or redeem some loyalty card points, or return any recently bought purchases etc? Even if not, you've got enough to survive on for the next 10 days.

Just had another thought- could you not ask a relative/ friend to buy you £50 worth of food ( then keep the £30 you have incase of emergencies over the next ten days) and write the person who got you the shopping a post dated cheque?

Thank you all. I don't think I will go there with the food banks. Just feeling a bit fed up with the kids off and not being able to afford to do anything with them. But I can afford to buy pasta, beans etc ... They're not going to starve.

Yeah OP, why have you not sold your diamonds and pearls yet (?)

Lionking- don't know how old your kids are but here's an idea that a friend of mine had. Get a shoe box or similar sized box for each child, wrap it in some paper/ either plain or patterned. Then make a ' time capsule'. Get your kids to draw pictures of how they think things will be in 10/20 years time, write their future self a letter, you write them both a letter too and daddy does. Get them to go on a nature hunt and pick some flowers/ leaves etc and put them I between loo roll/ kitchen roll and squash down with a stone. Put some little toys in that they have just grown out of ( their pick). Take some selfies and print them off, draw round hands/ feet on paper and put these in. Get them to write down all of their fave foods, lists of where they would like to go, what things they would have liked to have done, who their friends are now etc When you have filled them up then seal them and decorate the lids with the date you seal and the date you intend to open them. Then put them in the loft and leave them...............I'm doing it with DD - it's really good. We have made bits of daft craft things too to go in. It's just an idea that would occupy and cost nothing to do as its using things you have and their imagination.
Better than watching endless runs of Sam and Kat.......iCarley etc!,

Lol, will keep searching in the attic x

To everything, there is a season,
A time to give,
And a time to recieve

That's a lovely idea Yorkshireyummymummy - thanks xx

Op, google 'free things to do with kids near me'. You might find something fun to do. Or try your local library (if you still have one) for local schemes.

Yes for sure you can do this. and you will feel good about it after, if you can manage this.. Some meals may get simple and boring, but so what, it is what it is for now. You might have heard the old phrase of, Make do and mend,, and many people have to do this, with no misfortune or upsets at all..
I think that it does people some good at times. to live in a more frugal way, then when things get better, you become more appreciative of all things later

cookingonabootstrap.com/category/recipes-food/
The 'a girl called jack' webpage has loads of ideas, and generally speaking her recipes are ok. Some are a bit grim, but if it stretches the pennies 🤷🏼‍♀️
Sympathies about the financial situation this month - do what you need to do, and if you can, maybe stock up a bit on non perishables when you're a bit more flush?
We're all 1-2 paydays away from poverty, and we all need a bit of help now and then. Don't beat yourself up

kidsactivitiesblog.com/71126/100-tv-free-activities
And if in doubt, build a fort!

Ah op sounds rubbish especially in the holidays. I think you need a referral to food bank do you still have contact with health visitor i think they can refer. If you have 30 for food only could you go to aldi. I would meal plan each meal before you go so you get what you need. Buy big bag frozen veg and get what fruit is on offer. It probably wont be the most exciting 10 days food wise. With the kids i dont know ages but if you go on nature detectives online you can download bug hunts, nature hunts, potion making ect and they come for different ages, have you tried geo caching, museums near us are running lots of free activities , libary run free craft activities, do you have a sure start childrens centre ours is running free stuff everyday some are stay and play and some are based for older ones, our local pool is having a free swim day worth a look incase something Similar where you are, do you have a country park near by, lots of park visits, feeding ducks ect. We just got the national trust 50 things to do book - if you dont have one you could make something similar with challanges in( i can give you ideas out of it it you think they would like it) At home what about making fossils with playdough and little model animals this was popular with my lb. Hope the next 10 days go ok and you can enjoy rest of the hols best you can.

Hello OP, like pp have said - you can't just turn up at a food bank. You have to be referred to one by either Children's services, your GP or CAB office. The food is for 3 days.

Personally, I'd make use of what you already have and shop at the cheap food stores. Go for value ranges.

You've got loads of meat etc, so I would use that £30 for fruit and veg, pasta, milk etc and just wade it out. I doubt you would get a referral.

Long term I would think about a little saving, kids get ill all the time.

tangled the majority have said that she shouldn't go, and wouldn't get a referral. Why on earth would that put you off donating?

You can definetly feed the family on 3 quid a day.

Bag of spuds, bag of carrots, have them with the lamb, thats three evning meals with probs leftovers.

Jacket pots three days with the leftover potatoes.

Bag of pasta. Jarred sauce isnt as nice as fresh but can be found for under a quid a jar. Two tins of tuna in it. Thats three days of evening meals. Probs leftovers.

No credit cards, no overdraft, no child saving accounts, no family/friends who can help?

Foodbanks should be with people without any of the above. If that's your situation, fine, but otherwise, the above should be the first port of call.

Does your husband or partner know you are struggling? Seems odd that if you earn 40k between you, it was you who had to buy a new oven and pay for children's entertainment. What did he pay for? Why is it not joint income?
If your children are going hungry then use a food bank. If they will just be bored with eating past and tomato sauce don't.
There is plenty you can do for free regardless of where you live. Big cities and towns have loads on and the seaside/countryside is its own entertainment.
Feels like your budgeting skills are askew but it might be your husband retains financial control and 'gives' you housekeeping that is unrealistic.
Would grandparents or siblings help out a bit? Could you go to granny's for supper a couple of times? Do you not have a small savings account for things like the oven? Perhaps now is time to consider one.

Get a credit card and pay it off when you get paid.

I volunteer at my food bank. You CAN just rock up. Most of our clients do not have a referral.
We would be unlikely to turn OP away for a first visit, but she would be unlikely to get help again because we would take case notes and see that the OP should be able to manage.
We may make a referral to one of our debt management team.

I think it can be done on 30 quid especially since you have a load of lamb

It won't be fun but it is doable

You can't just go to the food bank, OP. You have to be referred.

I always find I enjoy what I'm eating when I have a skint moment! I'm not sure I would like it so much if it was permanent but it does make me think about what I am actually spending when I have plenty of money in the bank.