Does anyone know someone who has had to use a foodbank?

[furryjammies]

I'm very lucky that I have never been unemployed - although at times, especially when the kids were young we hardly had any money and I had to be really careful, buying huge bags of potatoes and cooking everything from scratch to save money - no holidays, nights out etc. I don't know anyone who is living in poverty, although I do know some who got heavily into debt - mostly because of going on lavish holidays etc. Do any of you have friends who have had to rely on a foodbank and if so, what were the reasons? Not judging at all just wondering how common it is.

Yes I have, it was an extreme last resort and sold everything not nailed down and able to be sold before I admitted to support worker I was struggling.

This is a fishing expedition. Don’t post anything you don’t want repeated in an online rag.

I volunteer at a homeless hostel for young people that has to get food from food banks and from excess food given away by supermarkets. I collect and deliver the latter to the hostel each week; when there isn’t enough produce they go to food banks. They have a small budget which means they generally have to choose between say, buying food or offering counselling services to distressed young people. Obviously they choose food, but using food banks/taking food waste means they save some money for counselling. They have to make some very difficult choices though.

The hostel is run by a charitable trust but until a few years ago was largely funded by the local council since they provide services that the council would otherwise have to provide.

It makes me quiver with rage that this charity ticks every box, fulfils every criteria asked of it, and still faces food insecurity because our psychotic government think that the ‘big society’ is a more practical solution than basic welfare provision.

The other people I meet collecting excess food from supermarkets are usual collecting for food banks and say there is a huge demand from young families in our area (South London). It’s shameful.

Summer holidays are also hard for many parents especially those who’s children qualify for free school meals. Because you’ve then got 6 weeks worth of extra meals to provide. Even though you know it’s coming it’s hard to budget for when you’re already budgeting to the point of insanity.

RussellSprout I know but I don't know why. Back then there was no minimum wage and unemployment was higher, mortgage interest rates were also a lot higher. The only thing I remember being cheaper is gas and electricity. You couldn't really get cheap school clothes either - not like today. Food is probably a lot more expensive now but everything else in relative terms is cheaper.

@furryjammies benefits havent risen for at least five years, wages are well below what they should be. Etc

Thanks everyone who has commented - I think I will give a donation to the foodbank during the week.

How awfully kind of you. It’s always worth checking before donating anything that those who receive the donation are truly deserving 🙄

TheBulb - I certainly don't live in a privileged bubble and I've never been in a Starbucks in my life - I wouldn't spend the money! I grew up with alcoholic parents who spent a hell of a lot on drink but we never went hungry. They both worked full time - no idea how they managed that. Maybe the main difference now is that we grew up in a Council house and now they are really hard to come by and the rents aren't cheap either.

Sounds like a good plan to donate to your local food bank OP.

On that subject.... students in Exeter came up with a brilliant idea which is a sticker campaign to mark up suitable goods that are most needed in food banks to remind shoppers as they are walking round with their trolley, and can put the items in their trolley as they shop.

The students realised that food bank containers are often positioned at the checkout tills, by which time its too late for people to remember to buy stuff.

A lot of supermarkets were skeptical, but apparently Sainsbury has taken up their idea, and the students are hoping other supermarkets may follow.

www.theguardian.com/business/2018/nov/26/sainsburys-launches-scheme-labelling-items-useful-to-food-banks

YouSayPotatoesISayVodka I didn't ever say that. Can I not ask a question to better understand and have more empathy? How can that be a bad thing?

daisychain01 - that's a brilliant idea. Do foodbanks take cash donations so that they can buy what they need or is it just food, toiletries etc?

LTB without a penny to escape violence is a very good reason OP

I think I will give a donation to the foodbank during the week.
This has to be a wind up or a Daily Flail recce.

My guess is that most people know someone who has used a food bank.
Knowing someone who has admitted to using a foodbank though, is a different matter
I have had to take people there in my job and they all felt humiliated by their poverty, though the volunteers were without exception lovely, caring people.
Poverty is horrible. It should not be a spectator sport too

Oh FFS leeching info for the DM is a bit low

@daisychain01 that is so true!! I'm in a mad rush, absolutely dread doing the food shop, and then once I have paid and I'm walking out, I walk past the food donation box! And think 'I have forgotten again!!'

What a brilliant idea!

darkriver19886 that's true and I was looking at my pension forecast and the amount you get a week isn't going to go very far. I've never really had the money to save for a retirement and won't come in to any large inheritances.

If you are genuine op, I suggest you search your nearest foodbank website where they will have published a list of desperately needed items.

Yes they do OP. Cash is probably the most useful, tbh.

I don't know about cash, you'd have to contact the Trussel Trust. Buying food and dry goods is a very appropriate way to help. That what I and I'm sure thousands of others do across the UK.

The supermarkets eg Tesco also add an extra 20% value to whatever you donate in the containers, so that's an additional important benefit.

I wish I did work for the DF - might be better paid and from the articles on there you don't have to have much of a brain.

Years ago, wages were higher in proportion to rents. And jobs were generally more secure - fewer zero-hours contracts, much less of a gig economy. And finally, people who worked in benefit administration weren't given targets of sanctioning (ie taking money from) as many poor people as possible, and the assessing of benefit claims wasn't as likely to be outsourced to private companies whose motive was to make a profit.

Poverty is horrible. It should not be a spectator sport too

Exactly this. hazell42 has put it perfectly.
I’m not sure what you’re hoping to achieve by asking people to share stories of when their friends were going through hell.

@TheSunIsShining19

It is such a great idea, isn't it. It was on the radio a while back and this thread reminded me about it. I must remember next time I'm in Sainsbury to check whether the campaign has started, I've got a branch near work so I'll nip over there tomorrow.

ReanimatedSGB I think you've probably hit the nail on the head there - that makes perfect sense. You have probably summed the issue up better than anyone.