To think this school trip is badly misjudged

[MaoamAddict]

Have name changed as the situation is very specific. DC is in year 1 at a lovely school, but we've just received notice that a school 'trip' will be taking place to a local food bank. The school have asked for us to pay for transport (not a problem) and have gone on to say that the children will be packing food, handing out food parcels and seeing behind the scenes of a large local food bank.

We live in a middle class area with a minimal number of DC on pupil premium but there are certainly families within school community who are on the breadline and may have used food banks. I think it's fucking crass for the school to be using a food bank as a spectacle?! We donate weekly financially and feminine hygiene products, but the school don't seem to have thought this through at all, what if one or more of the DC in the 3 year 1 classes have visited that food bank?! How do I word these concerns without being 'that' parent? Or AIBU and overthinking?

The 'trip' is designed to fit in with a superhero topic at school - the food bank volunteers are being framed as the superheroes (tenuous link?) the food bank volunteers are amazing, but this feels wrong on so many levels.

[Fairlybear]

I think a foodbank can be a good educational piece (depressing as that is), but foodbank users shouldn't be. Although of course no one should be ashamed of using a food bank, many are and have complex feelings around it, turning up and having a class full of young children, some of whom they may know is probably not going to be everyone's cup of tea. Discretion and respecting peoples privacy is very important too and something that a child that age can't promise to do, ie mum I saw x today at the food bank. Again, nothing for people to be ashamed of but its for them to decide who they want to tell, not others.

[Showersugar]

It must be a pretty rubbish food bank if 5 year olds can pack the parcels.

The one I volunteer at gives you a handwritten slip that asks whether the client/ family has any dietary needs (it might say vegan, or kosher or just 'coeliacs' - you're also meant to make a judgement about what to pack based on the size of family and age of its members eg if it's a woman of child bearing age pop some sanitary products in.

[Fairlybear]

@Ladyfird

I think a trip to the foodbank, seeing how it works behind the scenes how it works and age appropriate information about why they are needed is fine- handing out parcels etc is inappropriate though. I grew up in a very poor household but it was only when I was older I learnt my parents went without food for us- I would have hated that burden as a child so I do feel conflicted if I am honest about how much young children who are unable to process the info in the same way should be exposed to it, although I get its not the same now. There's always something a bit off about middle class children using the poor for a learning opportunity though, a bit like I want my child to go to a mixed school so they can learn about tolerance etc.

I do agree about age appropriateness but can't figure out how to articulate it. I also grew up in a very deprived area, lots in absolute poverty yet children weren't stressing in the same way now as they were shielded from it by adults going without (which is wrong I know and I'm so thankful for people that need them that food banks do exist although of course its also heartbreaking they're needed as the gov is so shit). I think it shouldn't be seen as taboo and something that shouldn't be discussed, but it is a big burden for a child to know the stress or to feel guilty that they're not going without when they don't have the tools to process and understand it as we do when we are older.

I know lots will find it controversial but hoping people won't judge much unless they're from a similar background and understand where I'm coming from even if they don't agree.

[BunchHarman]

what if one or more of the DC in the 3 year 1 classes have visited that food bank?!

You clearly don’t know how Foodbank work. The people who use the Foodbank go not go anywhere near the distribution centres. They are very much separate. So a child will never have been to where they process and organise the donations.

But that aside, you’re really overthinking it.

[WimpoleHat]

I think a foodbank can be a good educational piece (depressing as that is), but foodbank users shouldn't be.

That’s a perfect summary, @Fairlybear . And actually going on a trip there puts the kids in direct contact with the users, probably without their knowledge/consent.

[AxisOfEviI]

Im sure there are better ways to teach children about poverty rather than humiliating the user's of the food bank in a food bank poverty safari. I dont think it's well thought out or kind.

[LIZS]

I very much doubt the children would meet service users, all sorts of risk and safeguarding issues. Will it definitely be open to public at the time?

[Mrsjayy]

@MaoamAddict

No, please don't think this is me not wanting my Dc 'exposed' to the food bank, we donate weekly, speak to DC about how fortunate we are etc. my worry is that if I was a vulnerable person using a food bank, I wouldn't want to see 90 5-6 year olds there for a school trip like it was entertainment?!

I actually agree with you food banks for little children is a terrible idea they as you say not entertainment !. The food bank I' volunteer at have had secondary school children in which is fine imo. But I don't think poverty should be paraded about for a school trip.

[saraclara]

@LIZS

I very much doubt the children would meet service users, all sorts of risk and safeguarding issues. Will it definitely be open to public at the time?

The OP has already confirmed that it will be open and that the school letter said the children will be handing out parcels.

[deflatedbirthday]

We went to a good bank with beavers for the charity/ community badge. The food bank was closed to the public when we were there and the kids helped to restock, the people who ran the food bank have them a tour and a great presentation. The kids were asked to bring donations which they did. I thought it was handled sensitively and appropriately. It certainly provoked a lot of conversation with the kids in the following weeks and seemed to have very positive impact on them.

[saraclara]

@Mrsjayy

I actually agree with you food banks for little children is a terrible idea they as you say not entertainment !. The food bank I' volunteer at have had secondary school children in which is fine imo. But I don't think poverty should be paraded about for a school trip.

I don't think it's fine at all that secondary school pupils were there, if service users were there at the same time. In fact it's worse, as secondary pupils are more likely to judge if they see someone they know coming for a parcel.

I'm actually pretty horrified that any food bank would host school groups when it's open to its service users.

[peaceandpotato]

@Etinoxaurus

ok if they’re behind the scenes but very not ok if they’ll have any contact with clients.

Until I read this comment I thought YABU OP. But this one made me stop and think and actually yeah, if I was going to a food bank I wouldn't want a group of school kids there. Not all kids are lovely and helpful so all it would take is to see one or two larking around and treating it like a joke and I'd be upset. If they stay behind the scenes and help out then fine.

[CharChar91]

I think it's a great idea. Hopefully it helps to take away the shame/stigma surrounding it too which some people still hold.
The children will go, have a great time and see how important it is. For a lot of children it will probably be a good link to learn where their families donated food goes to and how/why it's distributed to people who need it.
I understand your concerns about children who may have had to use the bank, but seeing thier classmates there may be a good thing? We can only assume their feelings either way.

[Greenfairydust]

I work for a homeless charity and we run a variety of projects including a kitchen when we prepare and serve breakfast and lunches for rough sleepers everyday.

Would the staff and clients want to have kids around during in that environment?

Absolutely not.

Because it would make it harder for staff to do their job and clients don't need further stress.

Also some o the individuals we support are quite volatile so it is really is not the best environment for kids and there would be safeguarding issues.

We do have partnership with schools but it usually takes the shape of the school and the kids organising fundraising activities then donating to us rather than visit services and have direct contact with clients.

So frankly although well intentioned I think these kids are too young to be taken on a food bank school trip and should not have contact with service users.

[Swiftswatch]

@saraclara Food banks are generally local and one of those kids or staff members could be their neighbour.

In the exact same way that the other volunteers could be one of the user’s neighbours then?

[Mrsjayy]

@saraclara

I don't think it's fine at all that secondary school pupils were there, if service users were there at the same time. In fact it's worse, as secondary pupils are more likely to judge if they see someone they know coming for a parcel.

I'm actually pretty horrified that any food bank would host school groups when it's open to its service users.

There was nobody there it was a set up day they were doing a subject topic and they were 15/16 not 5.

[Phos]

It doesn't sound like it's being used as a spectacle. It sounds like they're going to learn a little bit about volunteering and good causes in the community. I took my daughter to help with a Christmas presents drive last Christmas, probably shouldn't have done that either eh?

[Bigweekend]

I work in a school with very many very deprived children and we run this "trip" with older children.

One of them did confide that his family had used the foodbank and he was pleased to be able to volunteer there. They don't just go for a visit, they go to help.

If they're really taking a whole school of children to gawp, I agree with you.

[BeachesDiary]

@Slobbet

It’s a great trip, educational and perfect for indulged kids

Not so great for the service users though - which is the OP's point.

[peaceandpotato]

@Cantstandbullshitanymore

Really? Why? How does that affect the help your getting from the food bank???

Because it can take some people a lot of effort mentally to go to a food bank. Without having 90 people or whatever watching you.

[peaceandpotato]

@Swiftswatch

@saraclara Food banks are generally local and one of those kids or staff members could be their neighbour.

In the exact same way that the other volunteers could be one of the user’s neighbours then?

Volunteers are presumably trained.

[Getinajollymood]

Depends what the Christmas presents drive is.

Other people’s suffering should not be used as either education or entertainment. Ever.

[peaceandpotato]

@CharChar91

I think it's a great idea. Hopefully it helps to take away the shame/stigma surrounding it too which some people still hold.
The children will go, have a great time and see how important it is. For a lot of children it will probably be a good link to learn where their families donated food goes to and how/why it's distributed to people who need it.
I understand your concerns about children who may have had to use the bank, but seeing thier classmates there may be a good thing? We can only assume their feelings either way.

You're thinking of the children not the service users

[Fairlybear]

@Swiftswatch

@saraclara Food banks are generally local and one of those kids or staff members could be their neighbour.

In the exact same way that the other volunteers could be one of the user’s neighbours then?

They could be yes, but they'd have gone through a joining process and will be discrete. Even if you tell a young child that they're not to discuss who they see there I wouldn't trust them not to and no fault of their own.

[follyfoot37]

@LastOfTheChristmasWine

It does feel a bit off to me, but then I've no involvement with food banks beyond popping some food in the collection point at the supermarket

Given the superheroes theme, wouldn't a visit from a policeman be more traditional - or even a visit to a farm where they can learn about where food comes from and the superheroes who keep us all fed?

You need to read the room...
It is most inlikely that super-heroes include members of the police force at this precise moment!
And nothing wrong with teaching kids about food banks and that the money fairy isn't available to all