Food Banks - thoughts and feelings ?

[tom_birmingham]

Hiya,

I have decided to volunteer at my local food bank, one of the things that I am thinking about when I do join is the role supermarkets have within food banks - I sometimes think that the donated food to people who need it deals with the problem, the fire fighting of hunger but does not address the supply chain, which I feel at the moment from my reading and observations is a bit of a mess.

As part of my attempts to be self sufficient I am also going to address the ideas of self sufficiency and community. Also addressing supermarkets and their roles positively and negatively within the local communities we live in. Also I'd like you to follow me on twitter, and my blog if you like. You can do so at https://selfandroots.wordpress.com - it would be good to hear your thoughts.

Thanks

Tom

[Vickilou]

Hi, good luck with your venture. I live in an area often described as the 'worst in Britain' . There are many who need help.

[Potstubsdustbins]

A good idea when they first came about, but human nature being what it is there are now some who abuse them.

[muddled]

I thought it was pretty hard to abuse a foodbank?

Hereabouts (if I have read correctly)

You must be referred by a GP, health visitor or social worker.
You can only be referred once in a six month period
You don't get to choose what you receive...staff 'allocate' foods according to number and ages in your household.

I don't see how folk can abuse that system.
While I am certain that crooks are better than me at seeing the angles, surely the majority of people referred will simply be desperate?

I also know from bitter experience that the benefit system can and does fail the people who need it most.
When my business collapsed (along with many others in the wake of 9/11) I found that the staff at social security were rude, unprofessional and deliberately obstructive.
People fall through the cracks....they shouldn't, in a rich society with a welfare system, but they do. The scammers can get round any amount of traps and security....ordinary people struggling?
They can't.

I'll get off me soapbox now.

[Patchninja]

I've been to read your blog and I have to say, it's great. I love your enthusiasm and determination to make yourselves as self sufficient as possible.
As to food banks - I don't know how they work in GB, but here, it's the state that pays for the food for the big ones, then there are donations from the public in terms of food, donations and things like old clothes to sell. So, people are contributing in many ways already. I used to work for a supplier to the big food banks so know a bit about that - money certainly isn't wasted and every centime is acounted for.
What idea do you specifically have for helping in a different way? I'm really interested to know.

[skeggijon]

It's disgusting that a country as wealthy as the UK needs food banks and I'm afraid that in a lot of cases (though not all by any means), the problem seems to be that buying healthy food comes quite low on some peoples lists of priority, after the 'essentials' of big screen telly, satellite or cable tv subscription, etc.
Obviously there are lots of folk who struggle with horrendous cost of houshold fuel and housing, but I do feel that many just have their priorities wrong.
Should people on benefits get part of their payment in non refundable food tokens?
The company I work for donates food to the Peterborough Soup Kitchen on a regular basis. We don't set any limits on the donations. They place an order with us like any paying customer and we supply them free of charge including cost of transportation.

[Guest]

I am with Skeggijon. I think a lot of peoples priorities are wrong. I also think things are moving in the wrong direction and a lot of people are lacking basic skills. Such as cooking and growing. Then there is health and safety - I was talking to several people last year about giving surplus fruit and veg to various homes etc round here and most places are no longer allowed to take it. Again a french friend who lives in England was amazed at how much hedgrerow fruit and nuts are not collected by people in England in France they would be gone. I personally think that everything is just out of whack, however it is for individuals to change that and all you can do is offer opportunities (just don't hold your breathe).

Back to foodbanks it is nice that such a thing exists but isn't it all longlife foods? Fine as a stop gap but I think it would be better to make people aware of foraging, community groups etc. etc. and address the basics.

[sparrow100]

Either there are many different ways for food banks to run or there is a misconception about them. The one I volunteer for provides emergency support. It's not set up as a long-term solution but as a stop gap while issues causing the emergency are resolved by others. People are referred from charities, CAB, GPs and the Jobcentre for 3 days food - without that referral ticket the food bank isn't supposed to help - though ours does on occasion. A person is supposed to be referred a maximum of 3 times, though sometimes it takes longer. Our food bank gives long life foods & basic necessities - there's no storage for fresh food.

I find statements like 'people's priorities are wrong' a bit difficult. People who use food banks are usually in emergency situations out of their control - like no work coming through from the zero-hour contract, becoming homeless, or mistakes/problems with benefits claims.

Personally I hate that we have to have food banks and I wish our systems were not so flawed that they are necessary. But I am very glad that someone stepped up to start them when they were needed and I've seen how much good they do. Having collected for them at supermarkets I've been pretty shocked at some of the attitudes people have in my fairly wealthy area.

[skeggijon]

I think saying that peoples priorities are wrong isn't an indictment on the individuals - more on the society that we have become.
It's true that many of the people needing food banks are in a crisis position and the current policy of being able to sanction people on benefits is a national scandal. I'm not trying to suggest that everyone needing to use food banks are scrounging, more that the whole system of how we deal with people in need is wrong.

[Guest]

Sorry that is me confusing things I would like to see peoples basic skills and needs addressing to eliminate the need for food banks. Having thought about my parents there is a distinct difference between them, because of basic needs and skills and the opportunities they have had. This would help more people than just those that use foodbanks.

Also as people have said there is a stigma attached to all of this and it would be nice to encourage people not to be ashamed to ask for help, as help is often late. I can think of several times in my life where I have refused to accept situations and let them go on to long. I think most people can probably think of times when they should have asked for help but didn't.

'A lot of people having their priorities wrong' is a generalisation of people I know/ have come across that live from pay packet to pay packet some using loan companies have lots of gadgets, smoke 20 a day, live on takeaways etc. and it worries me. ( Not necessarily people using food banks). It is seeing these scenarios becoming more frequent and people doing less for themselves. I hope that makes sense

[Potstubsdustbins]

It is a fact that some have their priorities wrong, the way they were bought up, the way they were schooled etc has led to some in society having a firm belief that the world owes them a living.

I work a lot in low level rental housing and see the other side of the coin to the people that try to help. Every week I see people with no food in the fridge but they have a wide screen television with sky subscription, they have a smart phone but lack proper footwear. The list goes on.

The next time I see a man and woman returning home with one carrying a bag from a food bank and the other carrying a bag containing cigarettes and cans of beer will not be the first.

As to getting a chit from the council/GP/CAB that would not present a problem to these people who are used to working the system to their benefit.

Yes there are some people who fall through the net and need all the help they can get but there are also those who would abuse the help offered by society. To suggest otherwise shows a complete lack of knowledge of this part of society.

[Jungle Jane]

Tom you have a big heart,I like how you're finding ways to solve the issue. I wondered,if 10-20 people as a starting point,who go to the food bank,get them interested in growing their own fresh food (items not at a food bank) & get sponsership from a big supermarket,to rent out allotments for these people to be productive for themselves? I think that's what they'd prefer if they had a choice? Some people can work but can't find work. There could be a rota system,so it could just be a few hours a week. Everyone could be in it together,it would bring independence,confidence,happiness & a sense of achievement. Instead of the feeling of shame that some do. I think a big supermarket would get praise from the communities & respect in helping people help themselves. They also thrive on competition of being the best supermarket? The government should help but they seem ignorant & corrupt,the amount of MPs we have & they can't solve the issues we have in our country! Anyway just an idea? With the right sized building & lights tomatoes etc can be grown all year.

[sparrow100]

I agree there are some people who work the system, but in my experience they aren't anything other than a minority. Or that that's a sufficient reason not to help people who need it. I still would.

[Potstubsdustbins]

^^^^^^^^^^^ NO one has suggested that in any way, first line last paragraph.

[Alison]

^^^^^^^^^^^ NO one has suggested that in any way, first line last paragraph.

It is however an argument often used, particular by some of the "popular press". As said, there are always some that abuse any system but to be honest I'd be extremely worried if there were so much security in place that it couldn't be abused as that would mean that some very vulnerable and needy people wouldn't be able to get through either.

Re the priority thing, it really isn't that simple. If your life is really rubbish then anything positive will be a real lifeline. That big flat screen TV for example may well be from before you fell on bad times or bought second hand (there is a Heart Foundation shop near us which has dozens on sale very cheaply at any time). Whatever though, it's a shame that in a country so rich we have such a divide of wealth.