Food banks

[Tiredboymum22]

When is it acceptable to use a food bank?

Is it only when you have no money left for food or when you need to cover other household costs?

Does anything go to waste or is it all used up by families in need?

Our utility bills have gone up. We have a load of rubbish in the garden that needs collecting but I have no car. It’s also overrun with weeds and brambles and I thought I’d have time to do it but I have a toddler and child with additional needs, and no village!

I want to pay someone to collect the bins and sort the garden out so the kids can play in the summer, but I’m on a tight budget and I’m worried it’ll cut into our food budget.

Half an hour to clear a garden of brambles and get up to the tip and back?

push off with your sexist ageist crap.

You could have said "people" but no - you want to dig on older women.

Slow. Fucking. Handclap.

Food banks are for people who can’t afford food rather than wanting to spend money getting rubbish taken away.

How odd.

Weeding the garden is an activity you can do with kids, come on now. Get them out there helping. Or if they aren’t capable, set them up with toys/ipad or whatever on a sunny day while you crack on. Paying someone to do this is madness.
i second the idea of Facebook market place to get someone to help with a tip run for a small fee.

The bigger food banks usually require a referral and usually only allow 3 referrals per person in an amount of time. The one near me is no more then 3 referrals in 12 weeks. Smaller grass roots or church food banks often don't. A lot of food banks also generally run a "community pantry" or "community fridge" where for a donation of between around £3 and £5 you can fill a carrier bag, these are open to everyone.

Our local community pantry is at the local school, it's £5 for a bag for life and £8 for an "aldi or lidl" big bag. There is all sorts of stuff, meat, veg, toiletries, cupboard staples. They also have a school uniform stand where you can pick up various school uniform items for free, not just inform for the school it's held in but also other schools - lots of general supermarket navy blue/ green/ red jumpers and cardigans, grey/ black trousers and skirts and tights. It is very well attended by all walks of life. They are all close to date/ past best before/ excess food bank stock.

Olio can be good but also a waste of money as sometimes items are not really appropriate to make meals from.

Its the same as the people who buy the homeless a sandwich and shove a camera in their face to post on social media so everyone can tell them how charitable and caring they are

Actually that’s ridiculous!

Surely it isn’t for people who want to spend the money they have for food to pay someone to do a job?

Isn't it? I use several supermarkets with donation points. I have never seen anyone loudly exclaiming they are donating whilst chucking in a few Stamford Street/Tesco value tins.

Because they are. Just like it's older men who are really pervy to the young female staff

This - you can’t just use it because you have other (non-essential) expenses you’re choosing to make.

I’m sure you need to be referred to use a food bank as well, although never used one so not certain.

Do you have a community kitchen type set up locally instead? We have quite a few in our area. Might be worth having a look to see if there’s anything else.

Using a supermarket and working in one is not the same

Funny how you don't specify the age and sex of these people 🧐

There is plenty of people who use them that aren’t on the bones of their bum..
You don’t have to be destitute and starving.
it shouldn’t be a choice between clearing rubbish creating a clean space and eating food.
Both are important.
Go to the food bank. Google charity tables in your area.

Men 60 plus older men this is a bigger range as its a multiple time a day thing. As the woman thing is like a twice a week thing

Maybe not. But it’s hardly essential expenses

you need to stop with your sexism and ageism.

it is tedious.

See if GoodGym operates near you.

They are volunteers who help with gardening to get fit themselves.

You are taking the piss OP.

Exactly. I have seen people donate in these boxes too, without any looking around for validation, or fanfare. The way it should be.

Absolutely. At the local food bank, clients have to be referred by a GP or social worker and provide bank statements. Only then do they get a carrier bag or two of supplies. And that's only for 2 occasions - after that they have to re-apply and have to look at their finances. I don't like that last stipulation as it insinuates that it's the recipient's fault. If wages and/or benefits are too low, no amount of financial re-arrangement can change that.

But I’m sure you do check there’s a genuine need, love.

I volunteer at a food bank. None of this is my experience. Wherever these people went, it’s badly run.

Well I’d like to have a summer holiday so should I use a food bank so I can use my funds for other things?

I feel like I’m stating the obvious but food banks are a last resort to support those in most need.

How is stating a fact from what i see ageist and sexist. If you witnessed a crime would you describe the people you see or say you can't say as its ageist and sexist