Food banks

Apparently, since supermarkets don't have sell by dates on some fresh products, less is being donated to food banks. I guess that's a win for the supermarkets but not the food banks.

And...

Imagine this if you will; the people who deliver may have big cars!!!

biglouis

I often wonder what happens to people who are housebound or who have mobility problems and cant easily get to a food bank or queue up. How do they find someoen to "refer" them.

As long as somebody is referred (can be a GP, social worker, police etc) our foodbank will deliver if the person is unable to present in person. We recently had a young man attend who hadn't been referred, was obviously genuine, homeless and in great need, we supplied him with ring-pull cans of food he was happy to eat cold. Nothing is written in stone, flexibility is a given. We are a Trussell Trust food bank.

biglouis

I often wonder what happens to people who are housebound or who have mobility problems and cant easily get to a food bank or queue up. How do they find someoen to "refer" them.

Hopefully they are in touch with their GP who will most likely refer them to the appropriate department within the welfare system.

I think a GP or Social Services make the referral, biglouis.

Volunteers will deliver if necessary.

I often wonder what happens to people who are housebound or who have mobility problems and cant easily get to a food bank or queue up. How do they find someoen to "refer" them.

Doodledog

MissAdventure

You can make your own by putting your pop sock full of soap into one of those string bags that veg (sprouts?) come in.
Exfoliate away to your hearts content.

We are nothing if not resourceful on here

If you do have leftover bits of yarn you can knit little bags, fill them with soap and they work well too.

HousePlantQueen

JaneJudge

You can contribute pet food to the food bank too. I don't want to deprive poor people of pets. There is loads of evidence to suggest how having pets has a positive impact on people's mental health and well being.

Our FB has a big box of various pet foods for people to take if they need it. I can think of nothing worse than having to hand over a pet to a rescue because I couldn't afford to feed it

The cage for pet food etc at our local Tesco always seems fuller than the one for food for people!

I tend to forget to buy pet food because I don't have animals now but people do seem to be very generous.

Yammy

My DD contributes sanitary products to her food bank always very well come. We don't live near one but can contribute when doing the Sainsburys online shop.

I guess also, men's toiletries would be useful - disposable razors, etc?

I've seen media reports of single parent men looking after children - and working - finding it difficult to make ends meet. There was one recently... with small children growing out of shoes, etc. And a 'lost' jumper at school having to be replaced - if they have to be purchased from a specific shop, they are not cheap. I can imagine how the costs mount and eat up and a meagre budget might not stretch far enough to accommodate these extras, especially if they all come at once.

Yes, I agree. What's the point of a present you don't like or won't use if you have no money for other things. Plenty of people return unwanted gifts to shops for exchange, and this is no different, really.

I know we would like it not to be the case MissAdventure but I think my morals would be telling me different if my children were going without.

Yes MissAdventure I agree with you. It is wrong to sell it.

I think it would be morally better to donate it back, or give it away, rather than selling it.

I was in our food bank today to see what was top of their priority list and noticed a sign saying that some gifted items were being sold on for profit
I don't know how I feel about that. In one way it feels uncomfortable but in another, if the recipient really can't use the donation perhaps it's enterprising and empowering to sell it on?

Last night Martin Lewis was saying that over 50% of those going to Citizen's Advice were "deficit budgeting". Which means that after advice and with all the things Citizen's Advice can help them with -reducing outgoings, reorganising direct debit dates, etc., they still have more going out each month than they have going in.

For many working people this is the first time they have been in this position.

Boz, how well you put that.

I thought what a privilege it is to be able to be honest and feel sorry for people who will have to turn to petty crime to exist.

I think many of those who scapegoat the poor have no idea, to be honest.

It would be very tempting if that happened when your shopping was going to take every penny, particularly if you've trudged on for months eating just the basics.

I can see people turning to crime. I feel sure there are ways of "lifting stuff" through self-checkouts. Only to-day, a Till missed a £4 pack of mince. If I was struggling I would have turned a blind eye but not being in need, I re-put it through. Walking out I thought what a privilege it is to be able to be honest and feel sorry for people who will have to turn to petty crime to exist. There for the gift of God.............

People who use food banks are normally referred to them as they really do need this support. I find it incomprehensible in this day and age that people should find themselves in the unimaginable position of not having enough money for food, unfortunately there are due to no fault of their own and most are embarrassed at having to live in this way. We are lucky and will never have this worry which is why we donate regularly.

Bloody hell
Although it was bound to happen.
I don’t want to sound like a merchant of doom, but we are going to see some very nasty business.
It’s beyond depressing what has happened to this country

That really is despicable.

Just read a disturbing news item from NI. It appears paramilitary loan sharks are stalking food banks looking for customers. Some poor devil is lent £500 only to find he has to pack back £1,300, This is dreadful.

Yes our foodbank keep things like sanitary towels and tampons etc in a basket at the side of the counter. Women are always informed there are supplies available if they should need them, and to help themselves. Shower gels, shampoo, toothpaste and brushes, toilet rolls etc also kept separately from the food bags so that those that need them can take what they need. Very rarely is that abused by someone grabbing loads.

My DD contributes sanitary products to her food bank always very well come. We don't live near one but can contribute when doing the Sainsburys online shop.

No, but it was one small thing amongst many where JM is concerned. I think FC posted a link to an article about the inconsistencies in her persona. Or, as FC says, a quick google will show what we mean.

It really was a throwaway remark, and not intended to cause the indignation it clearly has . I'm not on a mission to put JM down, and I haven't made a study of her tweets.