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.

I'm a referrer for the Trussell Trust food banks. There's a section in the referral form where I have to give a broad reason (or several) to explain why I'm referring the person. There are about fifteen options that I can tick. So no, I can't just refer anyone

I though the idea of deserving and undeserving poor went out with the Victorians, apparently not!

Oh and OP, for the garden - got any family you can ask and tell them you'll buy them a bottle when your paid as a thank you?

You could also fill your general rubbish bin with as much as you can (not garden waste but other crap and clutter) and see if your neighbour will let you fill theirs on bin day etc.

You can get a fair bit gone that way perhaps.

Pile it up in one corner so the kids can play

To use most food banks you'd need to be referred by the council, and if they deem that you're OK to use them, then that's fine.

There are food banks that you can go to without needing a referral - there's no issue with using those either. You're not taking the food away from anyone more needy. You still pay for it, it's just a lot cheaper.

It's just a shame that we live in a country where people still need to use food banks.

Sounds like you don't have much of a clue how these things work on the ground and how people sometimes respond to any sort of 'intervention' from professionals, or even a requirement to provide a most basic bit of evidence/ paperwork.

"You need food for your kids this afternoon? OK just come back with 3 proofs of address, 2 bank statements and your birth certificate and proof of your credit rating please".

Get real.

This ⬆️.. it's funny how it's always older women who are somehow at fault.

I cba to tidy my garden, house or clean my car. Tell you what I’ll just outsource those services and then claim poverty and use a food bank 🙄

What are you talking about the people i have witnessed doing it are all older women i didn't say men or younger women as I haven't seem them. I have not at any point said men or younger women don't do it. I've also said its like when people record themselves feeding the homeless and put it on social media this is usually younger people but it doesn't mean no older person has ever done it. I don't understand what you are struggling with to understand

My friend runs a church supported food share. She and other volunteers have to study and pass food hygiene and food storage exams. Its open to anyone, but everyone takes a ticket and its shared out evenly. Any food out of date goes to the pig farm.

I don't know if you're near a Sikh Gurdwara, which provides free meals, but you'll almost certainly be near a church? They will have something akin to a food bank or pantry.
They also may have volunteers who may help you clear the garden.
There's a church near me which does free lunches every Wednesday for anyone in need.

How can you be poor and have plenty of money for food? Poor is poor.

And for those who are in need of the cheaper food? I presume it’s not an endless supply

Its really not if you have a fiver left after bills you are poor but you can afford to eat for the week

Exactly. One statement cancels out the other.

It sort of is - the one locally to me gets regular donations from local shops and restaurants, usually of stuff they have to use up quickly. They sell it for £5 a carrier bag and you don't have to prove you're 'in need.' I can't speak for all independent food banks everywhere but that's the case with the one in my town.

But OP isn’t strictly ‘in need’ - she just wants to spend the food money on something else

I don't think YABU OP.

All you want is something to eat and a nice safe place for your kids to be able to play - it's not much to ask. Use the foodbank. One day you might be in a position to reciprocate.....

Op how much do you normally spend on food a week can you just do a really cheap shop yellow sticker bread tin of beans some potato's and pasta it won't be the healthiest but if it's just for a week

Where I live, we have countless places you can collect surplus food,as in would otherwise go into landfill. Anyone can use thrm. Some, including my local church, have asked for a donation of £2 per bag as some people were taking tge mick.
If you're on UC ,message your work coach or case manager,who will be able to refer you to a food bank.

Is that so?😉

Huh.?

Ever since food banks became more main stream under the Coalition govt these have been these debates about who should be eligible to use them. I would have thought that most regular donators are well aware that there is an element of trust and their generosity is open to abuse.

The ones local to me are all done on referal & vouchers. As far as I know they hand them out to anyone in need & don't go through your finances.

Try social care services or your GP to see if they can refer you or issue a voucher or possibly your children's school.

Are you already getting healthy start vouchers?

No they don't . I also issue food bank vouchers. However for some, if they are asking too many times, ( usually 3) an automatic referral is made to Welfare Rights/ Debt Advice.

The one near us is the same. We often donate fresh eggs as well as fruit and veg from the garden when we have too much.