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AIBU?

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Original poster

...to request a food bank voucher.

179 replies

Ashamed2BFeeling · 06/09/2019 04:42

My DW and I are struggling a little this month. We're both contracted to part time hours and take as much overtime as is available.

However, due to an accident at work, I had a couple of weeks off and our pay packet two weeks ago was really underwhelming. Having paid our rent and a massive (late) council tax bill, we didn't have enough money left to do our monthly food shop.

We already owe family money, so borrowing from them isn't an option. We don't have a great credit rating so that's out the window. And we've sold off any old electronics, CDs and DVDs that could bring in a few extra quid.

We've visited a food bank before, but this was a good five or six years ago, when we were both out of work and waiting on Universal Credit. It seems a little hypocritical to be visiting a food bank when we are already in work.

Has anyone ever been in this situation, in work but still too skint to afford food? Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks. :)

OP posts:
Annarosy11 · 06/09/2019 11:59

Wow I joined mumsnet today with the view it was going to be a kind and helpful forum and seeing all these unhelpful and mean comments shocks me!

scittlescatter · 06/09/2019 12:01

Op, no shame whatsoever in using the food bank if you are in need.

A significant proportion of food bank users are in work. It's for this reason that the government needs to act to raise the minimum wage, and stop zero hours contract, but obviously this won't help with your immediate need.

If you are able to at a later date, it might be nice to pay forward the help you received, by either donating to the food bank, or volunteering.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 06/09/2019 12:02

To be fair Anna there has only been one nasty poster, everyone else has been supportive to OP

S1naidSucks · 06/09/2019 12:23

Wow I joined mumsnet today with the view it was going to be a kind and helpful forum and seeing all these unhelpful and mean comments shocks me!

There’s been one nasty poster, who has been kicked out. If you think an6 of the other posters have been genuinely nasty, then you can report them. You will read a lot of robust responses to anyone who is being goady. We can be kind and helpful, but we also don’t take any shit.

JustMe81 · 06/09/2019 12:33

OP I hope you’ve been able to get something sorted. Food banks are for ANYONE who falls on to hard times, please don’t feel guilty for having to use them. You’re doing what you can, there’s no shame for asking for help if you need it.

jenthelibrarian · 06/09/2019 12:39

Just in from doing our weekly shop and feeling very grateful that I can pay for our needs and contribute one or two items to the Food Bank collection.

It breaks my heart that in this country, in the 21st century, we need Food Banks, but to anyone who needs them: I'm grateful to be able to help and I wish you well.

Wonkybanana · 06/09/2019 13:00

OP I wasn't always but am now in a position to donate regularly to the foodbank. Please, please, please don't feel ashamed or like you're somehow not worthy. If you were in my area I'd be very happy to think that what I'd given could help you get through this very difficult time.

Dipi - you're also welcome to the share of my taxes you need. If you can't support yourself and your family, that's what my taxes are for. But please don't play worthiness top trumps.

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 06/09/2019 13:06

You’ve got to eat!

If after paying for the roof over your head you have no food and no money to buy any then of course you should look at getting help with some food to tide you over.

I donate to a food bank each week because I want to give to those that don’t have food, everyone should be able to have a meal.

It’s sad someone in work needs to use a food bank but sadly that’s how it is for many workers.

RavenLG · 06/09/2019 13:33

I know the goady arsehole has been kicked off but can I say, one of my projects at work involved working with a highly deprived local community. Part of this remit was to set up a foodbank and involve our student volunteers to assist with the running. We have now handed the foodbank over the local community organisation who are now running it independently and sustainably without money or input (apart from bi-weekly volunteers) from our university.

OP, you will be welcomed with open arms in ANY food bank on my experience. 80% of the service users there are working, but struggle to make ends meet, on 0 hour contracts, suffering at the hands of this austerity driven government. Don't let arseholes like the goady poster ever make you think that because 'someone has it worse' you don't deserve to eat.

zxcvhjkl · 06/09/2019 13:37

OP please go to the food bank. There is no shame in it as you can see from the posts above.

Except Dipi. Ignore that person. Dipi by name dippy by nature.

The alternative would be to go without, you risk becoming unwell and your income will drop further.

Please go, I implore you.

gigiga · 06/09/2019 13:38

I have. 3 weeks. It's not very nice, because you are waiting for your food with other people who are not like you (some are just normal people going trough a financial crisis, but others are druggies and people with mental problems).

They will give you some fresh food (frozen fish or chicken, like 6 thighs), potatoes, onions and carrots.
Maybe some UHT milk, cereals and a packet of biscuits.
Then canned soup, canned pulses, a small bag of rice, some pasta, tinned sausages, tinned vegs... things I would not usually by but help a lot.
Coffee or tea...

I also received nappies- depending on availability.

It did help a lot and took a big pressure off me.

gigiga · 06/09/2019 13:42

@Dipi

Someone bitter here.

Relax.

She said she can't afford to buy food, so she should get help.

Most of the people in FB don't work and they have some form of addiction. They live off benefits and have never work- unlikely they will.

She works part time- not your call to ask why. She is working, that's all you should know.

Owlypants · 06/09/2019 14:33

Salvation army also give out food boxes. They help with things like debt management too if you're struggling

Gran22 · 06/09/2019 14:49

I wish there had been foodbanks years ago. We only had one really difficult period when I was pregnant with DC2. DH had lost his work contract, we were miles from home and family, and unemployment benefit was minimal. Once we'd paid rent, electric and bought coal (extortionate price for a little bag from the corner shop) there wasn't much for food. No child benefit for DC1, and we'd exhausted the little savings we had.

We lived on eggs or beans on toast, and home made veg soup. Now when I'm in the supermarket I usually put a couple of items in the box, not always food, sometimes toothpaste, or shower gel, or sanitary products. I always hope they make a difference to someone who's going through a bad patch.

Do not be ashamed or embarrassed. Anyone can fall through the cracks, and a hand up can make all the difference.

MegaClutterSlut · 06/09/2019 14:57

Absolutely use it op! Nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. I hope things improve for you soon

YouJustDoYou · 06/09/2019 14:59

all these unhelpful and nasty comments - what, from one poster?

Tana433 · 06/09/2019 15:10

@Dipi If I was going to be as unpleasant as you I would be asking why you are bringing twins into the world when you are disabled and unemployed but of course I wont as it is none of my business. OP, when I can, I donate to my local foodbank and I would have absolutely no problem with you using their facilities, that is what they are there for. I think it is terrible that you have to but please don't feel ashamed. There but for the grace of God and all that. I hope things improve.

MeDownSouth · 06/09/2019 15:10

@Ashamed2BFeeling I work for a Trussell Trust foodbank, you are absolutely eligible for our help. We ask that you get a referral voucher to come to us as we know there is a support agency that is helping you with your situation. The most common one if Citizen's Advice, especially as they can do whole picture advice, but I know they're not in every area. You may find that your GP or your local church can refer you too. If you want to PM me your area I can find a referral agency for you if that would help? The voucher entitles you to three days of emergency food and if you need another voucher after that you can request one. Sometimes foodbanks have fresh food they can give out but it's usually tins and dried foods (eg. pasta).
Coming to foodbank can be a daunting experience for a lot of clients and a lot say how they feel a bit of a fraud as the foodbank should be for people worse off than them but at the end of the day we're here because we want to support our community. If your neighbour was struggling you'd drop a hot meal in, or do a shop for them, so why is it different if you live at the other end of town? Our volunteers are usually a friendly bunch and will listen and signpost you to anywhere that may help. You might find you only need to come to us once and that's fine. Please don't struggle if you have a foodbank nearby, sadly you aren't in an unusual situation for a client, we have an increasing number who are in work and struggling and that's before you add in your accident.
If I can help n any way, even just to put your mind at rest please let me know. Best wishes and hope you manage to get sorted soon :)

LightsInOtherPeoplesHouses · 06/09/2019 15:10

They would make "reasonable adjustments" for you if needed.

If Dipi is genuinely disabled and obviously so they'd most likely try their best to employ her/him. And even the slightest, most reasonable of adjustments that were barely adjustments at all were too much for where I used to work.

Original poster
Ashamed2BFeeling · 06/09/2019 16:40

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your support and well wishes. Finished work a couple of hours ago and popped into the One Stop Shop for a voucher.

Currently sat on the train home feeling a lot less stressed. Smile

OP posts:
Cascade220 · 06/09/2019 16:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sweetbabycheezits · 06/09/2019 16:56

I'm so glad you managed to get a voucher, OP...I hope you and your family will have a peaceful weekend knowing that you will eat well.
I volunteered in a foodbank while I was in between employment, and if I was in a position to work for free, I would have stayed. The other volunteers were some of the loveliest, most non-judgmental people I ever met...honestly, they made every person who walked through those doors feel supported and cared for. I hope your experience is the same, OP...and I really hope that your situation improves in time!

nettie434 · 06/09/2019 19:04

Glad you have got a voucher, Ashamed2Bfeeling. Also hope you get a bit of a rest this weekend - looks like you were home late last night and out at work for a lot of today. Hope things get better soon Flowers.

Yabbers · 06/09/2019 19:20

dipi but you do require my charity - my taxes go towards supporting you and the 'twins'. The same is true of the OP. I actually have no problem with that

@SaskiaRembrandt

Dipi is being a twat, but entirely unreasonable for you to suggest disability benefits are “charity” DD gets DLA, it’s how the government support her to be able to get out and about. Not nice to call that charity.

StroppyWoman · 06/09/2019 21:11

So glad you got that sorted (glad you had a one stop shop near - the vast majority of our referred clients came from them, they’re a great access point)
Your Trussell Trust food bank parcel will be food for 3 days for every person in your family. If you need more, the One Stop can issue another voucher,