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Foodbank - 3 cars

503 replies

TalkToTheHand123 · 17/08/2025 00:11

Am I being unreasonable to think a family with 2 cars and a big fancy house shouldn't be using foodbanks regularly? No disability issues.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
TalkToTheHand123 · 17/08/2025 14:55

FarmGirl78 · 17/08/2025 14:14

@OP you've not made it clear whether you understand the difference between Food Banks, and Local Pantries/Kitchens/Storecupboards.

The former you usually can't use without a voucher or referral from Social Services, Child's school, Social Prescribers etc, and that latter is open to anyone regardless of income or status as a way to reduce food wastage. These usually have a "10 items for £3" rule, after playing an £5 annual membership or something similar. These are obviously often used by people living with hardships, either temporary or permanent, but certainly not exclusively by them, nor intended to be only used by them. If "normal" people choose to shop there and spend the rest of their food budget on trips to the cinema or handbags that's absolutely fine and not an issue. They've bought food which would have otherwise gone into landfill.

I don't think you understand there's a difference.

Or maybe you do, and the warm weather has had you triptrapping out from under your bridge.

For my point it doesn't make a difference. The point is there are a lot of people taking the absolute mick whether you are using a voucher or not which has put me off donating. I wasn't fully watching, but I believe the news reporter stated they were using a foodbank.

I now don't give to beggars as I know a few who use the money for drugs.

OP posts:
Digdongdoo · 17/08/2025 14:57

TalkToTheHand123 · 17/08/2025 14:55

For my point it doesn't make a difference. The point is there are a lot of people taking the absolute mick whether you are using a voucher or not which has put me off donating. I wasn't fully watching, but I believe the news reporter stated they were using a foodbank.

I now don't give to beggars as I know a few who use the money for drugs.

Edited

OP which news channel was it? Was it the Sky one linked previously?
Perhaps given you weren't fully watching, you should have refrained from making judgements and descending into racism?

FreezeDriedStrawberries · 17/08/2025 14:58

I wasn't fully watching, but I believe the news reporter stated they were using a foodbank

Wasn't fully watching - well, there's a surprise. Much better to jump to conclusions instead, hey.

Purpleturtle45 · 17/08/2025 15:15

TalkToTheHand123 · 17/08/2025 14:55

For my point it doesn't make a difference. The point is there are a lot of people taking the absolute mick whether you are using a voucher or not which has put me off donating. I wasn't fully watching, but I believe the news reporter stated they were using a foodbank.

I now don't give to beggars as I know a few who use the money for drugs.

Edited

It should make a difference though. Community pantries are about zero waste and anyone is welcome to use them. People that are struggling are welcome to go early doors to make sure they get anything they like.

FarmGirl78 · 17/08/2025 15:32

TalkToTheHand123 · 17/08/2025 14:55

For my point it doesn't make a difference. The point is there are a lot of people taking the absolute mick whether you are using a voucher or not which has put me off donating. I wasn't fully watching, but I believe the news reporter stated they were using a foodbank.

I now don't give to beggars as I know a few who use the money for drugs.

Edited

Can you explain why you think people with big houses and 2 cars are taking the mick by buying from a Food Pantry or Storecupboard?

Digdongdoo · 17/08/2025 15:33

Purpleturtle45 · 17/08/2025 15:15

It should make a difference though. Community pantries are about zero waste and anyone is welcome to use them. People that are struggling are welcome to go early doors to make sure they get anything they like.

Wait until she hears about Olio😱

Katherina198819 · 17/08/2025 15:45

This thread is wild. The reason so many people are defending this is because they believe living paycheck to paycheck, juggling multiple credit cards they can’t afford, has been normalized in our society.
Sorry, but if you have three cars, you are not poor. People also need to stop acting like everyone lives in a rural village with no public transport: the UK’s system may not be perfect, but it’s not non-existent.

At the end of the day, you need to adjust your lifestyle to your means, not to the lifestyle you wish you had. Too many people are buying things they can’t afford with money they don’t have. And when it all collapses, we shouldn’t be expected to feel sorry for them.

AmandeFrance0979 · 17/08/2025 15:50

Katherina198819 · 17/08/2025 15:45

This thread is wild. The reason so many people are defending this is because they believe living paycheck to paycheck, juggling multiple credit cards they can’t afford, has been normalized in our society.
Sorry, but if you have three cars, you are not poor. People also need to stop acting like everyone lives in a rural village with no public transport: the UK’s system may not be perfect, but it’s not non-existent.

At the end of the day, you need to adjust your lifestyle to your means, not to the lifestyle you wish you had. Too many people are buying things they can’t afford with money they don’t have. And when it all collapses, we shouldn’t be expected to feel sorry for them.

Well said!

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2025 15:54

I don't use community fridge or foodbank but I do use olio. In fact I volunteer for them as part of the fwh programme and keep a few bits from my collection (fwh can keep up to 10% of their collection. In reality I choose less than 10% but do end up being left with bits no one else wants)

I am not poor

Our food bill has gone down significantly through using the app. We are keeping food out of landfill (freezer space is a must) and as a by product my shopping bill has halved. Last month I shared over 2000 listings with 94 people. My up to 10% is for picking things up, photographing them, listing them, allocating them and waiting for people to collect them.

Olio and community fridge food is donated by shops like Tesco and sainsbury and is items they cannot sell e g use by that night or best before that day - it gets donated rather than what they used to do which was put it in a skip out the back and pour bleach on it to stop bin divers. Olio fwh take it home, list it, put it in the fridge and hand it out. Supermarkets usually donate best before to charity and use by to olio as we are better able to distribute late at night. With olio it is the stop before the bin as it is illegal for use by food to be given out after midnight on the date.

The items people buy and donate (pasta tins etc) is the foodbank food and that is only accessible in dire need. That is the difference.

Use olio, use community fridges - it is a fantastic initiative to keep things out of landfill. Most community fridges are partnered with an actual food bank and the donations people give for their items enable things they need to buy for the foodbank side e.g. rice, pasta, cereal - stuff that is never donated by supermarkets but is much more needed for those who need to use foodbanks who may not have access to cooking facilities.

FreezeDriedStrawberries · 17/08/2025 15:55

Katherina198819 · 17/08/2025 15:45

This thread is wild. The reason so many people are defending this is because they believe living paycheck to paycheck, juggling multiple credit cards they can’t afford, has been normalized in our society.
Sorry, but if you have three cars, you are not poor. People also need to stop acting like everyone lives in a rural village with no public transport: the UK’s system may not be perfect, but it’s not non-existent.

At the end of the day, you need to adjust your lifestyle to your means, not to the lifestyle you wish you had. Too many people are buying things they can’t afford with money they don’t have. And when it all collapses, we shouldn’t be expected to feel sorry for them.

I don't have any credit card debts
I try and save half my wage each month
I only buy stuff if I can afford it outright
I don't think people who have a big house and a car must be automatically rich, life isn't that simple
I'm also not a dick who automatically assumes about others circumstances

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2025 15:56

Digdongdoo · 17/08/2025 15:33

Wait until she hears about Olio😱

I am an olio fwh. I got given 60 packs of beef mince by Tesco two weeks ago. Got split between 28 families. Were any of them poor? No idea. I just know I had 3 hours to shift them and was using my neighbours fridge as overflow storage after having to physically tape mine shut

Digdongdoo · 17/08/2025 15:56

AmandeFrance0979 · 17/08/2025 15:50

Well said!

https://news.sky.com/story/it-shouldnt-be-like-this-full-time-workers-turning-to-food-banks-13393691
This is what OP is on about FYI. Nowhere (there's a longer video somewhere too) does it suggest that the family with 3 cars uses a food bank. It's about rising cost of living. The lady in question says she can't afford a holiday, not that she can't afford food. OP has frothed over nothing and you've fallen for it.

'It shouldn't be like this': Full-time workers relying on food handouts amid cost of living crisis

Wages in Cannock Chase matched the national UK average in 2021, but that's not the case any more. Full-time workers say they thought their lifestyles would be more comfortable - that their work ethic would be delivering more than it is.

https://news.sky.com/story/it-shouldnt-be-like-this-full-time-workers-turning-to-food-banks-13393691

BoredZelda · 17/08/2025 15:59

MeganM3 · 17/08/2025 00:28

Yeah. Someone with two or three cars shouldn’t be relying on donated food as a regular thing. I know when I donate to the food bank I want it to go to someone in need, who is struggling for money.
Perhaps it was just a one off / very short term thing? Or maybe it was one of those places for food that would otherwise end up in landfill and they think it’s better environmentally? Who knows. Probably shouldn’t judge if don’t know the full story.

Ahh, the “deserving poor”.

Wouldn't want the few quid you’ve spent on donating food going to those who just don’t make the right decisions in life. They can just starve.

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2025 16:03

So the lady with cars and the hot tub was not going to the food bank and says 'we can afford to put food on the table'

The one who was at the foodbank was the other older lady

Digdongdoo · 17/08/2025 16:05

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2025 15:56

I am an olio fwh. I got given 60 packs of beef mince by Tesco two weeks ago. Got split between 28 families. Were any of them poor? No idea. I just know I had 3 hours to shift them and was using my neighbours fridge as overflow storage after having to physically tape mine shut

I love Olio! Not as exciting as mince but I was once given an absolute mountain of slightly wilted spinach because nobody else wanted it 😅I had the freezer space so I was chuffed. FWHs are awesome!

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2025 16:07

Digdongdoo · 17/08/2025 16:05

I love Olio! Not as exciting as mince but I was once given an absolute mountain of slightly wilted spinach because nobody else wanted it 😅I had the freezer space so I was chuffed. FWHs are awesome!

I have collections 6 days a week. Probably spend an hour a day on it. I take the left over best before to a local homeless hostel if it isn't requested by 2pm the day after collection. It does a lot of good and I don't want people thinking it is only for the poor - it isn't at all.

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2025 16:09

Digdongdoo · 17/08/2025 16:05

I love Olio! Not as exciting as mince but I was once given an absolute mountain of slightly wilted spinach because nobody else wanted it 😅I had the freezer space so I was chuffed. FWHs are awesome!

The mince collection. It was madness that evening. 28 people came

Foodbank - 3 cars
Foodbank - 3 cars
Katherina198819 · 17/08/2025 16:10

FreezeDriedStrawberries · 17/08/2025 15:55

I don't have any credit card debts
I try and save half my wage each month
I only buy stuff if I can afford it outright
I don't think people who have a big house and a car must be automatically rich, life isn't that simple
I'm also not a dick who automatically assumes about others circumstances

Seems like you are! You are just us judgemental as I am! At least I'm not pretending.

MurdoMunro · 17/08/2025 16:15

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2025 16:03

So the lady with cars and the hot tub was not going to the food bank and says 'we can afford to put food on the table'

The one who was at the foodbank was the other older lady

Well that’s spoiled @TalkToTheHand123 ‘s Sunday afternoon, there’s nothing frothy about that story is there? What a meanie you are. No wonder she had to scramble around for a little light racism to put the zip back into her stories.

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2025 16:15

Another example of an olio fwh haul. Better being given to the community rather than going in a dustbin. As I say I don't care how rich or not my requesters are - only that this doesn't end up in landfil. From memory I think this was about a 15 person share

Foodbank - 3 cars
Foodbank - 3 cars
BondAway25 · 17/08/2025 16:34

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2025 15:54

I don't use community fridge or foodbank but I do use olio. In fact I volunteer for them as part of the fwh programme and keep a few bits from my collection (fwh can keep up to 10% of their collection. In reality I choose less than 10% but do end up being left with bits no one else wants)

I am not poor

Our food bill has gone down significantly through using the app. We are keeping food out of landfill (freezer space is a must) and as a by product my shopping bill has halved. Last month I shared over 2000 listings with 94 people. My up to 10% is for picking things up, photographing them, listing them, allocating them and waiting for people to collect them.

Olio and community fridge food is donated by shops like Tesco and sainsbury and is items they cannot sell e g use by that night or best before that day - it gets donated rather than what they used to do which was put it in a skip out the back and pour bleach on it to stop bin divers. Olio fwh take it home, list it, put it in the fridge and hand it out. Supermarkets usually donate best before to charity and use by to olio as we are better able to distribute late at night. With olio it is the stop before the bin as it is illegal for use by food to be given out after midnight on the date.

The items people buy and donate (pasta tins etc) is the foodbank food and that is only accessible in dire need. That is the difference.

Use olio, use community fridges - it is a fantastic initiative to keep things out of landfill. Most community fridges are partnered with an actual food bank and the donations people give for their items enable things they need to buy for the foodbank side e.g. rice, pasta, cereal - stuff that is never donated by supermarkets but is much more needed for those who need to use foodbanks who may not have access to cooking facilities.

i must look into this

forgotmyusername1 · 17/08/2025 16:39

BondAway25 · 17/08/2025 16:34

i must look into this

Definately. I have posted some pics. We get great stuff. Use by tends to go up around 9 for Tesco collections and 10 for sainsbury. Use by must be collected that evening so the 4 sainsbury shifts I do a week can be challenging as a lot of Use by and not a lot of time to give it away. As I say it is open to all and nothing to do with being poor. Our mantra is about sharing widely and fairly not about need.

GypsyQueeen · 17/08/2025 16:40

Digdongdoo · 17/08/2025 14:57

OP which news channel was it? Was it the Sky one linked previously?
Perhaps given you weren't fully watching, you should have refrained from making judgements and descending into racism?

I'm just catching up and can't be bothered to read all the responses since this morning.

But how has THIS now descended into racism??!! 🤔🤦‍♀️😂😂😂

NoThanksNeeded · 17/08/2025 16:44

Didn't fully listen but making judgement

Of course

Climbingrosexx · 17/08/2025 17:24

Coconutter24 · 17/08/2025 10:44

What if you already had the house and cars before having financial problems and the cars are paid off?

Then there is more equity in the house to down size and I wouldn't be spending money on running 3 cars unless they were work vehicles