Why Is The Demand On Food Banks Actually Increasing?

I do wonder about this myself. Are people genuinely in need or are they just taking advantage of other's generosity? I know one of my neighbours uses the local 'Community grocery', and she is certainly not in need. Do people have to prove they are living in poverty before they are allowed in?

A bit of both, I think.
Certainly, having free food helps. Two sorts of things + out of date, but still ver6 edible food like many vegetables and tins. Then the other sort like meats or prepared dishes. DD’s church offers lunch once a week made from free food, mostly the latter, from what I understand.

mum2three community larders are different from food banks and are available to to everyone. There is usually an annual membership fee, plus a weekly charge depending on family size. Some have activities for members, refreshments etc. A community hub, not just about food.

Taken from the Sofea charity website.

Membership Eligibility
Anyone can become a member, regardless of income or reasons for joining. Whether you're looking to save money, reduce food waste, or just want to be part of a community, you'll always be welcome at a community larder.

I’m not surprised given the cost of living and food has been getting more and more expensive.
We have a community supermarket near us which is a great idea and helps reduce food waste- it’s £4 for 2 bags of food which you choose. Fruit/ veg/ bread/ dairy stuff/ tins everything. It’s donated food which would otherwise go to waste.

There’s one particular food bank near us which asks for specific items and issues a list on a regular basis. They will often ask for a branded item rather than a supermarket own label - eg baked beans, soups, milk puddings - which I find rather bizarre as the cost to the donor would be that much greater !
I often wonder if these specific items are being reserved and allocated unfairly - hope that makes sense.

mum2three

I do wonder about this myself. Are people genuinely in need or are they just taking advantage of other's generosity? I know one of my neighbours uses the local 'Community grocery', and she is certainly not in need. Do people have to prove they are living in poverty before they are allowed in?

Anyone can use a community pantry / larder .....what exactly is it you think she's taking advantage of?..... you sign up .......then pay so much each time you go .....food banks misty need a referral in....I can sign off a food bank voucher in my job role ....people are allowed aaximum of 3 in 6 months ....they can turn up at any local food bank with a voucher

What is this doing on Pedant’s Corner?

Perhaps the OP could ask Gnet to move it to a more appropriate forum?

Lots of people , especially in the retail trade, have lost their jobs in the last year with big names on the high street closing.

These were never highly paid jobs to begin with, so they don’t have savings to fall back on.

In our village, there is a food bank - people have to be referred to it, you can't just turn up - and also a community pantry, which is open to anyone. You pay a small fee, which gives you 10 'credits' which you can then use to 'purchase' items - as others have said, these community larders or pantries not only help local people, but also help to cut down on food waste too.

I used to donate regularly when shopping, and especially at Christmas but a comment someone made made me think. He was friends with someone who volunteered at one and often brought stuff home with him to give to his mates.

I do believe there is genuine need, particularly among young families, but food banks should not become 'normal' in the way they have done.

My son has been in dire financial straights but has never been able to access one- he had to catch a bus (not a cheap fare) and then go at an allotted time and day when he was working for a pittance. Things are so wrong with the welfare system when those in need can't access it and food banks are not regulated.

I wish I knew what the solution was, but it isn't this.

What I’ve seen locally is more food donated by supermarkets as it’s close to date and apps like Olio and Good to Go, so no bad thing as shops and restaurants aren’t dumping so much food. My daughter pays £5 a week for a box of surplus from M&S and Waitrose, she wouldn’t use a food bank, but these schemes reduce wastage.
I don’t recall these type of schemes a few years ago.

I hate the thought of food wastage so any scheme that addresses this issue is fine by me - whoever uses it.

Cost of living, rent and mortgage increases, national insurance contributions, inflated food prices. Inflation, inflation, inflation! Many people are much worse off than they once were, food banks ae just one small way of helping people in need.

Our food bank was set up by a local pastor in his church to provide emergency aid - a week's worth of food to tide you over a shortage.
It is now a full time food bank with regulars. I do think we have created a dependent society.
My beef is about those who do not turn up without warning - the volunteers have gone to effort to pack a supply and you cannot be bothered to let them know you are not coming??
Beef 2 is that it seems that many cannot be bothered/do not know how to cook. e.g. offer eggs flour and oil, but they want a cake mix!! Offered fresh fruit, but want jam, offered a tub of custard powder, but want a tin of ready made!!

Beef 2 is that it seems that many cannot be bothered/do not know how to cook. e.g. offer eggs flour and oil, but they want a cake mix!! Offered fresh fruit, but want jam, offered a tub of custard powder, but want a tin of ready made!!

Perhaps they don't have cooking facilities or can't afford the fuel?

Beef 2 is that it seems that many cannot be bothered/do not know how to cook. e.g. offer eggs flour and oil, but they want a cake mix!! Offered fresh fruit, but want jam, offered a tub of custard powder, but want a tin of ready made!!

Just donate what they ask for and leave your judgement at home.

mum2three

I do wonder about this myself. Are people genuinely in need or are they just taking advantage of other's generosity? I know one of my neighbours uses the local 'Community grocery', and she is certainly not in need. Do people have to prove they are living in poverty before they are allowed in?

For local food banks, it is referral only, community larders not? (I don't know what our local food banks do if someone just turns up but they wouldn't get a regular supply without a referral. SSD, GP, Mental Health, maybe others.)

OldFrill

^Beef 2 is that it seems that many cannot be bothered/do not know how to cook. e.g. offer eggs flour and oil, but they want a cake mix!! Offered fresh fruit, but want jam, offered a tub of custard powder, but want a tin of ready made!!^

Just donate what they ask for and leave your judgement at home.

👏

Jaxjacky

What I’ve seen locally is more food donated by supermarkets as it’s close to date and apps like Olio and Good to Go, so no bad thing as shops and restaurants aren’t dumping so much food. My daughter pays £5 a week for a box of surplus from M&S and Waitrose, she wouldn’t use a food bank, but these schemes reduce wastage.
I don’t recall these type of schemes a few years ago.

Our Waitrose does not donate out of date items certainly not “waste”, everything has to be long date because it could be out of date tomorrow. Many items out of date the staff don’t get offered either.
Everything is donated by customers

Our parcels are made up of long life non perishable foods, donated by individuals.
Some local shops and supermarkets then pass on things which are just out of date, which we put on a separate table for people to help themselves - once it was bunches of flowers!
We issue for up to twelve weeks in any year, by referral. There are much smaller, emergency bags for anyone not able to offer documentation. We signpost other places to help, including community larders, but our goal is short time support.

I think it’s sone people do use the food banks when they shouldn’t or needn’t I had a neighbour who got every benefit under the sun but the kids got new phones, computers things I never could get for mine etc etc
I don’t know if this is todo with food banks or not but one day as I went to put something in my bin I found a carrier bag with lots of food items in it (they were the more nutritious items) and I couldn’t think why someone would put their shopping in my bin I did wonder if someone had collected it at a food bank and chuck out what they didn’t want? I can’t imagine what else as they were in date)

A couple of my friends volunteer at our local combined Food bank/community fridge/social cafe and information hub.
My DS is a volunteer driver for Fairshare.

The hub changed its image and is now not called a food bank but a community hub.

The likes of me can pay a sub and buy cheap food.

There are veg racks outside with green potatoes, black bananas and other veg which should go directly to the compost.

My DS says there are a few people who quite obviously take advantage. He jokes about the man who fills his Mercedes and wears expensive clothes.

But if it's helping even a few and saving the planet, I'm all for it.

Grammaretto
There’s every possibility that he owned a Mercedes and wore expensive clothes before he hit hard times.

I don't think people who judge others by their car and clothes should have anything to do with food banks/community hubs. Community larders are usually open to anyone who pay a subscription or is otherwise entitled, they don't have to arrive by bus in rags to qualify.