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.

How is it being sexist to say the word old.

Ffs 60s 70s 80s is old.
Why get offended with a word.

Have a look at too good to go
But no if you're using disposable income on clearing your garden rather than feeding your kids then no I don't think you should use a food bank.

Or offer a swap - what skills do you have which you could offer someone in return?

Most of the people working there are either volunteers or they’re working v hard trying to meet demand as more people are pushed into poverty by rising fuel and energy costs. I think I’d rather see staff give out food to whoever needs it rather than waste their time and resources interrogating people to check if they REALLY need £5 worth of free food.

You seem very sure. The OP doesn't mention a husband or partner.

If it bothers you, commit to returning the favour by donating when things are better for you. It doesn't need to be soon.

This is good advice. Someone I knew did this. They were going through a bad patch and felt they had little choice other than to make use of the food bank.
When things got better, they put aside an item of food each shopping day, and donated it.

I used to work for an organisation that assists with FB referrals and I was so shocked at the people who got referred that I no longer donate to them.

I’d say most, not all were CF’ers. One man rocked up in a top of the range Audi dressed head to toe in tweed like out of Peaky Blinders to pick up his referral.

I do donate, but I do it to a local one in my home town that supports children, and takes its referrals from teachers and staff at the children’s school.

@Tiredboymum22 Is there a food PANTRY near you? Our local church runs one. For £5 a week you can pick a number of items each week worth more than the £5, plus unlimited fresh fruit and vegetables.. No-one is turned away and they do not enquire into your finances and they take the view that if you think you need to use it, then you need to. Seems to me that would be perfectly reasonable in your current situation.

Well that’s absolutely shit. I’m sure people don’t donate with an awareness that the person who receives it will be made to jump through hoops for their small bags for a few weeks before applying again.
My aunt sets up a weekly table, anyone who wants to come is welcome, yes, it unfortunately draws some scammers or those who could afford food, overall it hits where it needs to be.
Taking up a GP or social workers time for a few small bags. Are they government rules? Disgraceful.

@Tiredboymum22 to get a referral you can contact your GP, local council, Citizens advice, Health Visitor.

Also have a look at this website which will give you details of a local foodbank to contact and other local services that might be able to help.

Get emergency food | Trussell

One man rocked up in the top of a range Audi dressed in tweed to pick up his referral

The tweed detail is straying into 🦈 territory 😂

(edited as pp fixed the typos).

Good for you. It makes me rethink donating tbh.

It’s a non essential cost so where do you draw the line?

I think the 'professional' ones you need a referral, but in my area there's quite a few weekly ones run by charities and churches etc which welcome everyone affected by the COL and you just show up.

I'd say that the thing you need it for affects for mental and emotional health and you've a lot on your plate, so would definitely say for the ones which don't look at finances, go for it.

Check council website for removal of bulky items . Church (or other religious organisation) for non referral food bank . Sounds like you feel a bit defeated. Can your GP help you with your emotional health?

How do you ensure people are eligible then? People donate these items freely and charitably but if people handing them out just give them to anyone, surely you risk the system being abused?

I think it is pretty shocking to pay someone to do chores around the garden, which you and your husband could do yourselves, and then have to go to a food bank for food as your money has run out.

Just do it yourselves and save the money surely?

I’m 60 and I’m not old. I could out run and out lift anyone.

She's just said she's got a child with additional needs which is exhausting enough as it is. OP sounds like she's burned out, not lazy, and wants to give herself a break.

Hmm he should have known that the correct attire for attending such a place can only be a tracksuit, preferably with a logo emblazoned all over it!🙄

You don’t have to be in your 60s to be a superior, loud-mouthed cunt you know

What have I just read?! You prioritize feeding your children over having someone come and clean the bins away!

Save the food banks for families who have NO money to feed the kids let alone getting someone to clear the garden! Honestly.

I wouldn't do this as all the chancers will offer to do it for £30 and flytip it. She might then get a massive fine if the council can identify it as her waste. Trust me, I'm a volunteer litter picker and go through stuff to get photos for the council to help them prosecute. Even legitimate companies have been known to flytip stuff if they think they can get away with it. It's a minefield.

Where did I say you did

OP have a look on turn2us if you get a chance. If you put your child's details in there should be lots of charities and grants you can look up, for the future when you need a little bit of help with something specific.

She also has a husband.