To think that food banks who limit to three weeks are as mean spirited as Universal Credit?

[MammaTJ]

I have been reading on FB about someone struggling due to problems with universal credit. They say they have used their three food banks and an extra two they gave them!

When I had to have food bank boxes I got one a week until I told them I did not need them any more, I had them for around 8 months. I think three or five is mean and people in need are people in need until they no longer need it, ie, their circumstances change!

My change was actually getting PIP, which meant an extra £300 a month!

AIBU?

My son got an extra tenner Christmas bonus in his dla as well. It was more than one page in the letter telling me.

If this deal turned into easy access help for all, what would the government do do you think? It’s like we’re going backwards in time back to the workhouse.

Often find it funny that MN exists with BookFace in the background all the time too.

Flip flop.

NapQueen

You get it!!

Thank you for posting your experience! I too would not give to a limiting service!

• MammaTJ Thu 21-Dec-17 22:08:10 I just don't get why I was able to get them week after week and this person has only been able to get 5, in spite of obviously being in need! The limit seems mean to me!*

Wow - actually can't believe what I'm reading

You're venting at the wrong people OP - there is NOTHING mean about people who give out at food banks - they HAVE to have rules and unfortunately as it's down to charitable donations they can't supply infinitely (I'm very surprised you were able to get help from a food bank for so long - this isn't the norm)

My son got an extra tenner Christmas bonus in his dla as well. It was more than one page in the letter telling me.

I reckon it cost a couple of quid to send this, better to have sent £12 bonus and say nothing. Those of us who need DLA/PIP, check our banks regularly anyway!! There's a saying!

My local chapel runs a food bank and say it's also for those who fall through the cracks, such as the low paid who may be struggling. Can the person check if any of the local church's do similar? I can understand why some, in very financially deprived areas, have to limit visits. They need to make sure there's enough to go around.

I'm glad you're no longer struggling, op, and afford to give to the food bank that helped you when you needed it. As a previous client, you're in a good position to know what is appreciated.

Resources are short, charities are really struggling. A few years ago, they could give longer term support because the amount of people who required their help was less than now.

This

The recent demands on food banks have been huge. they would love to help people for longer, and would even more love not to have to help anyone at all. But sadly, there are a lot of people who need them.

@MammaTJ what do you think they are doing with all the excess food they could be giving to your friend? Eating it themselves? Throwing it away? Or... giving it to other people who need food? There isn't an unlimited amount.

You should be petitioning your MP about the need for foodbanks and the utter shit that is UC.

I won’t be surprised when this thread turns up in the Daily Mail btw.

MammaTJ
I just don't get why I was able to get them week after week and this person has only been able to get 5, in spite of obviously being in need! The limit seems mean to me!

They simply don't have it. No more 'mean' than that.

OP but can't you see that by limiting the service they're able to help for example 500 families with really urgent dire problems instead of say 50 families who need the help somewhat less or 5 families who would like free food every day for a year? Or are you expecting a bottomless pit of food?

I think the unlimited version you would like is far too open to abuse and would be a far worse idea.

The limit is mean, I don't care what you say.

Just pretend they have Irish surnames.

That should make you feel better immediately.

Not really butchy, that only makes me feel better when they are attacking my friends! Thanks for that though!

Our food banks are expecting a surge over the festive period and the local authority have put extra staff cover in place to deal with welfare suppport. It’s a sad sign of the times and I don’t think it should be unlimited it’s supposed to be crises intervention. Most people don’t have much to spare where I am but donate to food banks etc because but for the grace of god. But, your friend should not expect to go to the food bank every week.

Not really butchy, that only makes me feel better when they are attacking my friends! Thanks for that though!

That wasn't what you said at the time. Nice try though.

As for this thread, it's even more farcical, if that's possible.

If you feel so bad about the conditions the food banks in your area are imposing, perhaps you could set one with more generous terms and conditions?

Just pretend they have Irish surnames

Sorry? What? I'm obviously missing something. 😕

Are you Jeremy Corbyn, OP?

or 5 families who would like free food every day for a year?

Those people do not exist if the service is reliant on referrals from professionals involved in their lives!

Maybe that's the answer. I had that. I never got a food bank box myself, it was brought to me by someone who was supporting me.

Maybe the person I am talking about shout seek support and a referral, rather than self referral! Someone to say they really need it, with evidence, rather than just wanting it!

Great suggestion Butchy

If you feel so bad about the conditions the food banks in your area are imposing, perhaps you could set one with more generous terms and conditions?

In my area, they are amazing, as I have said!

Not really in the position myself to be setting one up anyway.

You're venting at the wrong people OP - there is NOTHING mean about people who give out at food banks - they HAVE to have rules and unfortunately as it's down to charitable donations they can't supply infinitely (I'm very surprised you were able to get help from a food bank for so long - this isn't the norm)

It isn't the norm to meet peoples needs as long as they have them? That is a shame!

I realise I have been very lucky!

Food banks should be for emergencies only, and for signposting. Users need to make sure they are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, Hardship funds etc, and making sure they are not getting sanctioned and are budgeting properly.

Food banks are not free supermarkets.

Not really in the position myself to be setting one up anyway.

Well, if you're not in a position to assist in any way, perhaps you should trust that the volunteer led food banks in other areas are being run along the only lines they can be?

Do you really think it makes volunteers happy to turn people away?

Sikh temples will sort you out with a free meal

If I were a religious person then Sikhism would be my religion of choice. In it's pure form it's the most tolerant and compassionate, plus they value women as equals. SWAT are an awesome organisation btw and operate outside London.

www.swatlondon.com/

As has been said, foodbanks do not have a finite amount of resources. Their rules are made so that they can help as many people as possible.

In my city, there are soup kitchens in addition to food banks. I used to volunteer at one. I'm sure these must exist in other areas too.

So anyone who is struggling can come along of an evening and get soup, sandwiches and tea/coffee a biscuit for free. Some service users stockpiled sandwiches and took them away for the next day's breakfast/lunch.

There was no need for a referral and the service users were welcome to come as many times as they wanted.

The food was of an even more limited range than the food bank, but it was guaranteed, and gave service users a chance to sit down and chat with friends/staff.