Food banks

[sdommanney971]

Hi all,

I'm wondering about whether people have used food banks and what there experience of that was?

Many thanks,

Sarah

I make referrals to the food bank in my area.

They are good for providing non-perishable food for the family for three days. Ours also runs a “cooking on a budget” course at the children’s centre which focuses on making meals out of tinned and dried food. It is run by an evangelical church group and I worry about how excited they often are when people who go to the food bank start turning up at their church services.

But the bottom line is that no-one else is providing food to families in need in this way, so you just have to hope they don’t overstep the mark when people are at their most vulnerable.

Not sure if that’s the sort of response you were after, OP.

Agree with Family, local food bank to me is run by a very conservative church. They didn't try to convert me / get me to attend church or anything, but accepting help from people I fundamentally disagree with and who would look down on me if they knew I was a feminist atheist sucked...the social justice lefty types really need to get into this and set up food banks.
They had no idea about gluten-free food, or diets beyond traditional British. Didn't have any toiletries, sanpro etc or treats, it was very much stereotypical pasta, spam, tuna. I was given 3 bags full of heavy packets, tins etc which I couldn't physically carry any distance, yup people who need assistance from food banks, are dizzy from lack of food and have to walk ten minutes to the station then 20 at the other end home can carry that...and this was after I'd politely declined foods containing gluten and that I wouldn't eat.
They were very nice, gave me a cup of tea (although they also failed to understand dairy free) - just, well-meaning but patronising and clueless.
And anyone about to flame me for daring to have intolerances while poor etc and not bow down in gratitude can piss off
LIGHT foods not tins please and free from if anyone is donating, luckily I'm doing better now and can chuck in the odd item when shopping, I tend to put in no-drain tuna, pot noodle type things, free from pasta or biscuits, sanpro.

Broken11Girl, if you are that against them and what they do, you didn't have to accept their help. They have no control over what food is donated either.

I've previously helped people access them, and always found them to be friendly and welcoming, and they've tried as best they can to accommodate individual's needs, although, as I've said previously they can't dictate what people donate.

I would guess that from the types of food they received, that most people donating were from a western background.
I say this because the food was geared towards that kind of diet, pasta, rice, baked beans, fray bentos pies, etc.
A Nigerian family that I helped access it, found a lot of the food wasn't the kind of food they would eat.

You also have to remember that they generally can't accept fresh food, which really limits what people can donate.

Broken11girl wow what a hideous post. Seriously. 😱

Oh fuck off both of you pp, and work on your reading comprehension, because you have inferred things I did not in any way say.
I said they were nice enough and meant well.
I had no choice actually, if I wanted to eat. I hope you never experience that power imbalance.
But mere proles have to accept gruel and crusts if someone wants to play lady or Lord bountiful, eh, how dare I not bow down, they are right, I am wrong, exactly as I expected.
Well done, you have really upset me, a vulnerable person (deliberately) misinterpreting my post. I won't be back.

What a charmer...

Broken the church runs it because they want to help. If they only wanted to help Christians like themselves, they could easily run a similar service just for people who attend their church with donations from their members and from other local churches.

You sound like you're judging them too tbh, so even if they did judge you, I guess you're even then.

Hi Sarah, I had to use a food bank once. I was really scared to go, felt horrible, like I was begging or I'd be judged. Just felt really low about it. When I went though, they were so warm and welcoming and quickly put me at ease.

They offered me tea or coffee as soon as I came in, and there was a plate of biscuits to help yourself to. The tea was very much welcome.

Somebody sat with me to ask questions about what I could or couldn't eat, and to see if I needed anything like washing powder, san pro, soap etc. Then they left me with my tea and went to gather some things for me.

It will be mostly tin foods, so I'd advise anybody going to bring one of those granny shopping trolleys or something. And definitely try to bring some bags, apparently they're always short on bags to send people away with.

It's really not as bad as people think it is. It isn't all gloomy, the people are generally really nice and many are volunteers so are doing this because they genuinely care and want to help people.

I always donate to the collection point at my local supermarket now. And when I have more time on my hands I will look into volunteering for one of my local ones too.

They did give me treats too. I had a multi pack of chocolate, some biscuits and a nice hand moisturiser.

Broken11Girl No you gave a back handed compliment, you said they were 'nice' then proceeded to slate everything they did to help you.

They have no control over what food is donated either.

Actually, if it’s a Trussell Trust food bank, they are very well resourced (their volunteers have logoed sweatshirts and pinafores) and usually have large collecting boxes in major supermarkets, with lists of what they need pinned to the side.

I think most people who donate know that food banks rarely run out of baked beans

If gluten free foods are scarce then the foodbank should ask to see a prescription before handing them out. Need trumps lifestyle choice.

Hi,

Oh thanks for sharing all your thoughts. It sounds like people have had lots of different feelings and experiences around going to them. It's given me lots to think about.

Fucking hell Broken11Girl don’t go around posting anything else. You’ll stop people donating for those who are in need.

My local food bank has nothing to do with any religious organisations (although I’ve been in there when donations have been dropped off by local mosques and churches at the same time) and has a healthy range of freefrom, dairy free, gluten free and vegan food. Referrals have to be made for you and you get a prescribed number of items based on how many people live with you and are part of the referral. Also can arrange drop off distribution if you are unable to get to the food bank