I volunteer at a local food bank, there are several in my area. My role is to input into the computer the details of those who contact us so that they receive food from us which is usually delivered directly to their door with the exception of those who live closest to the distribution centre. People can self refer so no hoops to jump through and most of our users are also using the other food banks and charities where we live. I am a small cog in a big wheel, and just follow the rules of what I am asked to do, others make those rules.
We as a family are not well off but have the ability to manage our small income to make ends meet, if we can’t afford it we don’t have it, it’s that simple. I probably would qualify for help if I had our income and outgoings looked at but we prefer to stand on our own two feet. I was brought up not to waste resources and have tried to educate our children in the same way. I do know how lucky I am to be able to manage to get by. And here it comes…. The more I learn about the people who access our service the more flaming annoyed I get, there are genuine people who literally do not have enough coming in and to me this is who we should be prioritising and I get so annoyed that they are falling through the cracks and left behind. What I find more irksome is that week on week while the poorest fall further behind I receive what amounts to shopping/wish lists. Apart from those who have special dietary requirements such as Celiac disease and the like I am apt to think that folk should be grateful for any support that we can provide bearing in mind that we rely on donations from the public to redistribute, but honestly I do wonder if this monster that has been created actually helps the majority of our users to learn essential life lessons like budgeting at all? Some of the requests are to me outrageous so for example instead of asking for deodorant they ask for expensive brands like Dove this or that fragrance, last week someone requested freshly ground coffee which was a further step up from the usual requests for Nescafé, or Douwe Egberts, then there’s the mums who request really expensive formula and nappies to feed children they cannot afford whilst becoming pregnant with more children they cannot afford. Then there are those who obtain food so that they can buy illegal drugs with their money.
The icing on the cake this weekend has been from someone who has up until recently been given a store voucher one day and food the next day. The £25 weekly vouchers have stopped and the single person user isn’t happy because they usually buy fresh fish, meat and other ingredients with it and has now taken to contacting the local Conservative MP to complain. The irony of that isn’t wasted on me.
As a family of 4 who can rarely afford to buy fresh fish and meat ourselves but tries to be altruistic I’m getting a bit peeved at the rights over responsibility attitude of some people and I am beginning feel as though I don’t want to give or help, especially when the recipients are posting on social media their takeaways and grand days out.
I know I sound like a hard hearted bitch when in reality I know that you have to walk a day in someone’s shoes to know how it is for them but some peoples idea of being in desperate need completely contradict my knowledge of it. AIBU?
Fair enough, but you still have to wear a coat, don't you? And if you are skilful enough to make a fashionable coat with the cloth you have, shouldn't you get praise for that, rather than criticism?
Blondiescot
DiamondLily - you can get gel nails done for less than £40 around here, and that's at reputable salons.
Oh, must be London prices then ...😉. Never cheap around here.
Doodledog
Fair enough, but you still have to wear a coat, don't you? And if you are skilful enough to make a fashionable coat with the cloth you have, shouldn't you get praise for that, rather than criticism?
Lol....yes, but if I had forty pounds left in my purse, I would prioritise feeding myself/children over gel nails.
I love gel nails, but I could live without them.😉
Not exactly an essential of life.
Nobody is saying that nails of any sort should come before feeding children though.
People in food banks may or may not have children, and they may have a neighbour who does nails and will do hers in return for babysitting or something. People jump to conclusions about those on benefits and it's really not fair.
I would be the first to criticise someone who actually spent money on nails whilst her children went without food, but I don't believe that happens apart from in very rare cases, and I wouldn't assume that anyone with 'done' nails had starving children at home - it's just such a huge leap.
Very true, Doodledog. And you know what they say about assumptions...
Perhaps I'm a little jaundiced at previously working for the DWP and then doing benefit advocacy as a volunteer.
Some people really don't prioritise essentials. 😉
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
Sorry - wrong thread 
).
I've asked for it to be deleted. Apologies.
Doodledog....we all get those moments 😉
I recall a thread on food banks a little while ago where a post said that two suited and booted men came to collect food in their very smart car. It turned out that they were from the local Rotary club picking up food to take to people who were housebound. It just goes to show that we should never judge a book by its cover. Just because someone is smartly dressed or has polished nails tells us nothing about them or their circumstances. Indeed they could be kind hearted people picking up food for others.
Well said, Judy!
@growstuff
I did not say that "I" wanted a foodbank. Rather it was a legitimate question of how someone without transport was supposed to get out to find people to refer them.
Do try reading a little more carefully my dear.
I assume that anyone who can't get out will either have a carer or could ring a foodbank to see what provision could be made for them.
Judy54
I recall a thread on food banks a little while ago where a post said that two suited and booted men came to collect food in their very smart car. It turned out that they were from the local Rotary club picking up food to take to people who were housebound. It just goes to show that we should never judge a book by its cover. Just because someone is smartly dressed or has polished nails tells us nothing about them or their circumstances. Indeed they could be kind hearted people picking up food for others.
Exactly this!
I often wonder the same thing about some of those using food banks, but it's not a think you can say aloud in real life! Any politician who dares say these things get shot down. But anyway here goes - while of course I am in favour of helping those who really need it, it seems the whole food bank thing has got out of hand, and having recently heard of teachers and nurses etc using them, made me think some perhaps use what money they do have for the wrong things ... as a poster says above, prioritising fags, booze, going out, Sky tv or whatever over bills and food.
Firstly I have to say as a country we shouldn't need food banks and I do think most people using them are genuine.
How I do know of 1 example when the person used the voucher to buy her new yrs booze .
Sadly it's these folks who put people off donating ,helping
This person was very open about what she had done and actually surprised by the response she received.
Can I just point out to a few of you; Foodbanks are funded by charities, local initiatives, volunteers. It does not cost you anything. The hall or premises are often (in our case) provided rent free for the couple of mornings a week It doesn't cost you anything. The staff are mainly volunteers, paid staff are funded by the charity/church. It doesn't cost you anything
1rose
Firstly I have to say as a country we shouldn't need food banks and I do think most people using them are genuine.
How I do know of 1 example when the person used the voucher to buy her new yrs booze .
Sadly it's these folks who put people off donating ,helping
Does the voucher have monetary value - surely it's just a referral note from a GP, vicar, etc?
No vouchers at my foodbank.; just food.
1rose
Firstly I have to say as a country we shouldn't need food banks and I do think most people using them are genuine.
How I do know of 1 example when the person used the voucher to buy her new yrs booze .
Sadly it's these folks who put people off donating ,helping
How did that work, then, as food banks provide food, not alcohol? 🤔
Food vouchers
Care professionals such as health visitors, staff at schools and social workers identify people in crisis and issue them with a food bank voucher. This means people can receive a food bank parcel of three days’ nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food from their local food bank.
I think the voucher thing, and scams, dates back to the old "milk tokens" - certain unscrupulous shops allowed parents to buy anything with them, for less than the value of the tokens.
Food bank vouchers are just a referral thing.
DiamondLily
I think the voucher thing, and scams, dates back to the old "milk tokens" - certain unscrupulous shops allowed parents to buy anything with them, for less than the value of the tokens.
Food bank vouchers are just a referral thing.
So it's irrelevant 🙂
Callistemon21
DiamondLily
I think the voucher thing, and scams, dates back to the old "milk tokens" - certain unscrupulous shops allowed parents to buy anything with them, for less than the value of the tokens.
Food bank vouchers are just a referral thing.So it's irrelevant 🙂
Yes, it is, if we're talking about food banks.
Different time, different scenario.🙂
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