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.

not being judgemental - I'm just wondering how common food poverty is in this country. Can I honestly not ask a question to try and get a better understanding

Well asking that isn't going to get you the answer you 'claim' to seek, of how common it is! Preposterous that you think really that posters will just tell you how common it is. But that isn't what you asked, you asked why did you go to a good bank.

Yes you can ask anything, anyone can but they don't because its indecent and intrusive

Yes, a previous neighbour of mine. Because the Benefits system failed them: regular payments suddenly went AWOL & weren't made. (no explanation or apology ever given either). The person in question was elderly & had serious mental health issues.

@longwayoff you are so off the mark. I am talking about people I know personally who use the food bank. And for these particular people I stand by my comment. They should not be having more children if they can’t feed the ones they already have. I also know there are other people for reasons out of their control who depend on food banks. I think food banks are wonderful and there is a need for them obviously. I’m not smug either. But thanks for the personal put down. Classic mums net.

I work in a small community centre and I write 120 foodbank vouchers a month.

Watch 'I, Daniel Blake'. The foodbank scene really upset me, even though I see this daily in my job.

If people are paying good money to prop up sections of society they have every right to make reasons and causes their business

Please then share your medical records, your road usage information, and depending on your age your educational records.

I pay for them all with significant tax contributions each year, I'm entitled to decide if you are worth it. And we all benefit from those even if you also make use of the technically private sector.

well said @C8H10N4O2

It seems to escape some people's notice that a lot of people on benefits and having to use food banks either do, or have also paid tax or still do. So if they're entitled for it to be their business, then so is everyone, and to judge too.
Maybe I won't think your last visit to the doctors or last hospital admission was actually needed - do I get to slate you? Because my 'good money' paid for that?

I've not had to use a food bank - but only because I have support. Without that support, that's what I'd have done. I donate one or maybe two items when I can afford to, I donate to the red box appeal (I was one of those girls) when there's bogof on sanitary wear. If I get to a position where I can donate more, I will.
It's common in the area I live, I live fairly close to one, it's heartbreaking to see the dejection in people going in/coming out and knowing they're being seen by people they know.

Hashtags you should tell them how you feel, as you know them personally, I'm sure they'd be grateful for your advice.

Hi, I had to use a food bank last year. I hurt my back and couldn't work , self employed domestic cleaner.
I fell behind with my Bill's. Got to the point where I had to borrow money from my adult son. Tried to lower my Bill's, phoned up the companies to try to reduce/negotiate lower payments. Got very little help there.
Eventually I saw a financial adviser from CAB. She basically told me what I already knew! I had more going out than coming in and I was buggered! She gave me a food bank voucher.
I took it but didnt go straightaway, felt that my situation wasnt bad enough etc. And yes, but of pride too.
So in the end I went. Lovely people in there, so supportive and kind. Not at all judgemental. I've now got another job. Paid back my son, paid off my overdraft and my credit card. I'm solvent once again.
It's been hard but I did it. I donate to the food bank now and then, I wont forget what they did for me.

This thread OP is the metaphorical equivalence of asking people to strip in front of you, and it makes very uncomfortable reading those who are.

Please have some decency and get your thread deleted OP.

You are offending a lot of people in asking to know why they have used a food bank.

It's rubber-necking, gruesome.voyerism.

to all reading and posted needing to access foodbanks (for whatever reason that no-one needs to know!)

I'm obviously lucky because I don't think i know anyone (well) that would have needed a food bank. My reason for assuming this is that I don't know anyone who doesn't have a network of family/friends willing/able to help if things got that bad (I could & would help anyone I know). On that basis I've always assumed food bank usage must sadly affect communities where a high proportion of people are struggling and no one has family/friends in a position to help financially if disaster strikes

Op I don't think your question is that bad. I'm interested in the responses as by understanding the causes, maybe we can find ways to champion for changes that will help people BEFORE it gets so bad

Cause - Poverty. Solution - start by reversing the austerity policies that have forced so many into poverty.