Is it me or them?

Unbelievable! It’s not just you. Dare not even put comments on here cos probably get jumped on.

Maybe she spent all her money on other people to make sure they had a good Christmas and didn’t think of keeping enough to look after herself, not everyone budgets well. For some people it is one more payday so they want to buy whilst they have some money.

Very few people like having to use a foodbank and there reasons why are nothing to do with anyone else.

Sadly some people will take advantage but there are a lot of genuine people out there who do desperately need this help.

Trussell Tryst website says you have to be referred (ie only certain people can get food from a food bank)
'In order to get help from a food bank you will need to be referred with a voucher, which can be issued bya number of local community organisations(for instance schools, GPs and advice agencies). Your local food bank can advise which agencies can help.'

Trust not tryst!

It wasn’t clear why she needed food bank donations. It would be better if it was explained properly.

I really wouldn't take that comment as valid. Reporters (and apologies to those out there who do a good job) often ask leading questions, take replies out of context etc.etc.

When I was at work, a couple of my young mums appeared on local TV talking about local facilities. They were lovely caring mums who brought up their children well and contributed to the local community. They came across as rather stupid and grasping. They hadn't the 'media savvy' to know they were being 'set up'. I was upset about that.

December of 2022 I had a neighbour in her 30s, willingly unemployed and refusing to get a job of any sort, who moaned bitterly at me that she had to rely on regular food banks to feed herself, latest bloke and 7 kids ''because the price of fireworks'' and ''I spent just over £2,000 on fireworks this year''.

So, she thinks more of spending 2 grand on bombs than she does feeding her never-ending line of kids! Her latest bloke is also unemployed by choice!

If only I was her job centre advisor, I'd happily have all her many benefits stopped!

I wholeheartedly agree with you it's wrong but people have different priorities.

I wonder how many people the reporter had spoken to before she found one who said something that would get this reaction?

'Spent all my money on Christmas' could mean anything. Bought a grandchild a small gift? Booked a table for eight at The Ivy? Ordered a chicken and a Christmas pudding? Bought stamps to send cards to the people who will moan that you 'haven't bothered' if you don't send them?

I think this is very definitely one of those cases where you have to walk in someone's shoes before you can begin to be in a place where you can criticise.

Makes me wonder at the intentions of putting such 'interviews' on air. There must have been dozens of other comments to choose from- really helpful, helps me get by etc.. Food banks need good positive support and publicity.

Maybe she had to come up with something as embarrassed?
Most people don’t like admitting they need help to buy food.

I suspect that the reporter set this woman up or she was trying to come up with a reason other than poverty. The people at our local food bank are lovely but it's still embarrassing....actually it's soul destroying...to have to ask for food.

I agree with everything in the last three posts.

People are all too willing to jump to uncharitable and damning conclusions, but there are many other possible interpretations.

I have mixed feelings about foodbanks. I have known a time when our children were tiny when my DH and I had so little money that I would walk a mile to save the busfare. We could not afford much meat so I cooked vegetarian meals. I bought the children's clothes in 2nd-hand shops. We survived. I recently heard someone say that each generation is less resilient than the one before. I totally agree. A lot of people don't have a clue how to manage money and I think it should be taught in schools as well as how to cook healthily. These skills set people up for life.

Skydancer

I have mixed feelings about foodbanks. I have known a time when our children were tiny when my DH and I had so little money that I would walk a mile to save the busfare. We could not afford much meat so I cooked vegetarian meals. I bought the children's clothes in 2nd-hand shops. We survived. I recently heard someone say that each generation is less resilient than the one before. I totally agree. A lot of people don't have a clue how to manage money and I think it should be taught in schools as well as how to cook healthily. These skills set people up for life.

A lot of us did without so that we could buy food in days gone by. Just because it happened to a lot of us doesn't make it right.

And what about my use of a food bank? Have I suddenly become less resilient then I used to be? Have I forgotten the skills that I learned at that time? Have I lost the ability to manage money? It's easy to criticise people you don't know.

No amount of money management or cookery lessons will help someone on a zero hours contract whose rent or mortgage has shot up whilst her hours have gone down as quickly as the fuel bills and the shopping costs have risen. People can't manage money unless they know how much is going to come in, and how much their outgoings are going to be.

And even if you do know how much is coming in, if it's a limited amount and prices keep rising then it doesn't matter how well you budget.

I didn’t realize that anyone had to be referred to a food bank, as long as “need” is assessed, by a social worker, GP etc it sounds reasonable to me.

A group I belong to had a very interesting talk by a member of the local Trussell Trust a couple of years ago. Which opened our eyes to the extent of need in our area.

We all agreed that there would always be people who misuse a system but as long as those in real need are helped, it doesn't matter as the cost is minimal. There are people at the other end of the financial scale whose cheating the system tax wise is far more damaging.

vampirequeen

And even if you do know how much is coming in, if it's a limited amount and prices keep rising then it doesn't matter how well you budget.

Absolutely.

Katie59, did you think that people just turned up and got free food?

Doodledog

vampirequeen

And even if you do know how much is coming in, if it's a limited amount and prices keep rising then it doesn't matter how well you budget.

Absolutely.

Katie59, did you think that people just turned up and got free food?

I hadn’t heard anything about vouchers or referral before, I would bet that a lot of others hadn’t either.

My friend volunteers at a Trussell trust food bank and they give food to anyone who turn ups. No referrals or evidence. People ask for branded items and they often find food not wanted just dumped outside. And yes they have people turning up in big fancy cars ….

Our local food bank doesn't have a referral system. They ask people what they need and deliver, and one person wrote down rump steaks! They had to explain that this wasn't possible. It's impossible to know if everyone is really needy or just taking advantage.