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Original poster

Saw someone stealing from a Foodbank point in Tesco

188 replies

Monty27 · 20/09/2022 21:48

Rant
I couldn't believe my eyes I seriously couldn't. His appearance looked clean and smart I just saw him from behind and I thought he was putting in a donation and if my eyes didn't deceive me he actually walked off with an item and put it in his shopping bag. I didn't report or challenge him it was so shocking.
Ill email Tesco and the Foodbank about it.
But just how low can society get?

OP posts:
dudsville · 20/09/2022 21:50

What if he needed it?

MaryTruss · 20/09/2022 21:50

Because clean and smart people can't be poor and hungry? Ffs

KingCharlespen · 20/09/2022 21:50

Perhaps he's in need. I notice our local Tesco has had several full trolleys of food donated and the food banks seem very slow to collect them.

FragileAgile · 20/09/2022 21:51

Ut oh.

XenoBitch · 20/09/2022 21:51

He must have been desperate to steal from a foodbank point. They are slim pickings of shop brand beans and pasta. It is not like there is Lurpack in there, or joints of meat.
The fact he looked "clean and smart" means fuck all.

CaptainSamCarter · 20/09/2022 21:51

There's going to be loads more of this. Desperate people take desperate measures.

NotVeryHopefulBeenHereB4 · 20/09/2022 21:52

He must have been absolutely desperate. I wouldn't email anyone.

Zampa · 20/09/2022 21:53

In times like these I think that the correct thing to do is turn a blind eye to people stealing food. They might not be in need but what if they are? I'm not here to judge them.

LaaDeeDaaa · 20/09/2022 21:53

I honestly don't think this would bother me in the slightest. Certainly not to the point where I would email Tesco and the food bank. What do you want them to say? I suppose Tesco could stop collecting for the food bank. That would stop it happening again.

People can have no money but look 'clean and smart'.

JenJones5 · 20/09/2022 21:53

It’s there for people who need it, and it’s no worse than some of the cases of people who’ll smoke and drink and then get a “proper” referral, so I’d not worry about it,

Maybe they were hungry, maybe they just fancied taking it, it doesn’t really matter much in the grand scheme of things.

KittenKong · 20/09/2022 21:53

I saw a woman do this in Waitrose. She is a regular in the store and a bit eccentric - just leisurely looking through the items, pulling them out and taking her pick.

If she had needed it she could have walked around the corner to the church hall that sells fruit, veg and store cupboard foods cheaply, or gone to one of the local food banks.

Hellocatshome · 20/09/2022 21:56

Did he speak English? Was he aware how to access a food bank? Did he meet the criteria for a food bank? I doubt he stole it for kicks, he either needed it or has some sort of problem.

JenJones5 · 20/09/2022 21:56

KittenKong · 20/09/2022 21:53

I saw a woman do this in Waitrose. She is a regular in the store and a bit eccentric - just leisurely looking through the items, pulling them out and taking her pick.

If she had needed it she could have walked around the corner to the church hall that sells fruit, veg and store cupboard foods cheaply, or gone to one of the local food banks.

But that’s what it’s donated for, for people who for whatever reason choose not to or can’t fed themselves and their family.

If we accept that it’s not a person’s responsibility to feed and shelter themselves and their family any more then how is what she’s doing wrong?

Mrsherdwick · 20/09/2022 21:57

@KingCharlespen food banks are short of volunteers atm so that might be why they are slow in picking stuff up. You could always volunteer at one and quicken the process up though.

ohfook · 20/09/2022 21:58

By 'how low can society get?' I'm going to presume you're referring to the people who have created the drastically increased need for food banks over the past decade as opposed to those who are so desperate that they're reduced to stealing from one?

Sunnyqueen · 20/09/2022 21:59

Well they are either completely desperate or a pretty bad klepto

Norriscolesbag · 20/09/2022 22:01

Wouldn’t have an issue- sounds like he’s just cutting out the middleman.

cinnabongene · 20/09/2022 22:05

Why do you want to email Tesco and shame the guy on Facebook? Get a bloody life. You have no idea if he was desperate or not!

NotMyDust · 20/09/2022 22:07

JenJones5 · 20/09/2022 21:53

It’s there for people who need it, and it’s no worse than some of the cases of people who’ll smoke and drink and then get a “proper” referral, so I’d not worry about it,

Maybe they were hungry, maybe they just fancied taking it, it doesn’t really matter much in the grand scheme of things.

nah some people are addicted or need a way to escape the sh*t stress of their lives. Our society sells those things and people maybe feel they don't have the strength to make what we may call "good choices".

arethereanyleftatall · 20/09/2022 22:09

I would have no problem whatsoever with this. It's there for people who need it. Regardless of how they are dressed. In fact, our local one, offers exactly this - come and take if you want, no paperwork required. I am perfectly happy to drop things off there.

smileandsing · 20/09/2022 22:11

I think OP is suggesting this wasn't a person in need, but someone who fancied a freebie. We all know there are people like this, who could afford to pay but would rather not, so let's not pretend otherwise. This person may have been in need, but I don't think it's right to help yourself from food bank collections in supermarkets. What happens when there's nothing left for the food bank to take for those who have been referred? Maybe information on the referral process should be posted beside the collection point to deter 'theft'.

To those defending this man's actions, would you feel the same about supermarket toy donation points at Christmas? Is it ok to help yourself to those if you can't afford to buy toys for your kids? It amounts to much the same thing (and I bet it happens)

Wishyfishy · 20/09/2022 22:13

Can’t personally see the point in emailing. I’m sure this stuff goes on and they know about it. What can they possibly do in response to your email? Have a burly security guard next to the box putting people off donating?

Ashamedbutididit · 20/09/2022 22:14

I shoplifted to feed my dc at one point.

Some years ago there was a major fuck up with tax credits. I was on sick leave from my work (broken leg, facial injuries and physical job), my violent ex and I had split and awaiting a court date for his sentencing. I (and thousands of others) were waiting months for tax credits, we couldn't claim anything meantime, and all they said was they would backdate money.

I had no family, friends were in the same boat, I sold everything I could, even my bed.

I stole from the supermarket a few times, just basic food, and I stole shoes from a charity shop for one of my dc who desperately needed them.

Not the finest point of my life, but I did what I had to at that time.

If someone is stealing basic items please just look the other way. Different if its alcohol or whatever.

User1754983 · 20/09/2022 22:18

Why is everyone assuming he is desperate and in need rather than just a thief who probably is not in need, blimey, everyone will be thieving from these places as mumsnetters say they are in need so it's ok

XenoBitch · 20/09/2022 22:19

smileandsing · 20/09/2022 22:11

I think OP is suggesting this wasn't a person in need, but someone who fancied a freebie. We all know there are people like this, who could afford to pay but would rather not, so let's not pretend otherwise. This person may have been in need, but I don't think it's right to help yourself from food bank collections in supermarkets. What happens when there's nothing left for the food bank to take for those who have been referred? Maybe information on the referral process should be posted beside the collection point to deter 'theft'.

To those defending this man's actions, would you feel the same about supermarket toy donation points at Christmas? Is it ok to help yourself to those if you can't afford to buy toys for your kids? It amounts to much the same thing (and I bet it happens)

Have you actually seen what is in the Foodbank Donation points?
It is shop brand tinned goods and pasta.
If someone is nicking stuff like that, they are bloody desperate for a meal that night. It is not like meat where they can sell it on.
Toy donation is totally different!