Food banks

[gixer1]

Mrs Gixer works for a firm that do different charitable initiatives, the most recent was a collection for a food bank, when Mrs Gixer went into said food bank to donate the collection, we were horrified to see the staff sigh and say that if possible could we in future try to donate Basmati rice instead of the long grain rice as the food bank has to buy in the basmati rice to suit the demands of people using it….(this was the westhill food bank).

It will, I’m afraid be the last time we donate to this food bank, also, anyone aware of the one in Ballater, which they have called the “food pantry” to try and ease their conscience - is being used by 3 persons I am aware of that earned 150k+ a year, (one of which was a business owner before retiring, and still stays in a 550k house)

It’s about time we tightened up scrutiny in these places…

Regards,
Gixer

 

[User00056]

I really struggle to understand why we need food banks in this day and age. I appreciate many folk are on extremely limited incomes and I can completely empathise as I've been there myself. Regardless of how much I was struggling at the time though, at on point whatsoever did it occur to me that it was anything other than my own problem. And I adapted my lifestyle to suit the little income I had. No luxuries whatsoever, just the bare staples. Even chicken was a rare treat!

I'm afraid I don't, and won't, contribute to food banks. Perhaps I'm just less charitable than others, but I expect more resilience from folk and I have very little sympathy for those who don't try to help themselves. And I appreciate this may be an unpopular view, but quite frankly I'm fed up supporting people who seem to expect others to provide for them.

 

[Malxwal]

I'm inclined to be similarly uncharitable, at least where it comes to people who want to pick and choose what type of rice they want to get for nothing.

 

[baguio]

I'm fed up supporting people who seem to expect others to provide for them.

Couldn’t agree more. And yet people on here expect to receive the Winter Fuel Allowance. I struggle to see the difference.

 

[gixer1]

I really struggle to understand why we need food banks in this day and age. I appreciate many folk are on extremely limited incomes and I can completely empathise as I've been there myself. Regardless of how much I was struggling at the time though, at on point whatsoever did it occur to me that it was anything other than my own problem. And I adapted my lifestyle to suit the little income I had. No luxuries whatsoever, just the bare staples. Even chicken was a rare treat!

I'm afraid I don't, and won't, contribute to food banks. Perhaps I'm just less charitable than others, but I expect more resilience from folk and I have very little sympathy for those who don't try to help themselves. And I appreciate this may be an unpopular view, but quite frankly I'm fed up supporting people who seem to expect others to provide for them.

Sounds similar to me, I well remember eating pot noodles and fray bentos pies in a rented room….

 

[gixer1]

Couldn’t agree more. And yet people on here expect to receive the Winter Fuel Allowance. I struggle to see the difference.

To me. The difference is one is trying to claw back money from the government, the other is abusing the generosity of the members of the public…

I’m not saying I think everyone should get the winter fuel allowance but to me, that’s the difference I see.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[lochty]

We (the estate) contributed to the country charity that does venison bolognaise and pheasant curry for food banks. One of our local ones turned down some of the product after some of the "customers" objected. Lesson learnt.

 

[gixer1]

We (the estate) contributed to the country charity that does venison bolognaise and pheasant curry for food banks. One of our local ones turned down some of the product after some of the "customers" objected. Lesson learnt.

Just wow…. I think society needs a good shake to realise that necessities require a more open minded approach.

 

[lochty]

Just wow…. I think society needs a good shake to realise that necessities require a more open minded approach.

Or how hungry they really are....

 

[User00056]

Sounds similar to me, I well remember eating pot noodles and fray bentos pies in a rented room….

You had a room???

 

[Tugmanade]

A friend who has been involved in a food bank was saying they get people going in and asking only for items that had been donated from M & S, says a lot really.

 

[Pedro]

Is it just me, or whenever there's a food bank on the telly and someone is complaining they have to use them because they are poor and it's all the government's fault (or anyone other than them), they generally look as though they weigh around 20 stone?

 

[User00056]

There was a program a while ago about foodbanks (can't remember what it was) I was pretty disgusted to see people turning their noses up at cheap cola and biscuits. If you're struggling badly enough to need charity, then cola and biscuits should be pretty low on your list of staple foods.

 

[Morkai]

There was a program a while ago about foodbanks (can't remember what it was) I was pretty disgusted to see people turning their noses up at cheap cola and biscuits. If you're struggling badly enough to need charity, the cola and biscuits should be pretty low on your list of staple foods.

The place that collects from our work refused to take out of date pasta and tins that were in the boxes.

Beggars can't be choosers.

I eat out of date stuff all the time.

 

[sauer]

i stopped donating to charities when i found out many run with 6 figure salaries given out to management etc and how much of a £ actually gets to where its going ....or even the waste some of said charities create or misuse their stock etc

so i was in a bit of a quandary and then a woman i know who was teaching me bbq / smoking stuff said what she does is 3 or 4x times a year she goes shopping and takes hubby and he takes a trolley as well...then they grab all dry goods pastas tinned stuffs toiletries etc in said supermarkets own brand ...say tesco blue and white label for example.... then that trolley goes to foodbank ...... i thought it was a good idea .... but if they started asking for brand names or particular more expensive style of foods id tell them no.

i have asked what are they short of and id get own brand of said item

i think rather than cash that that doing more direct help ....maybe im wrong


Paul

 

[Loki]

Hi Gixer1

Your finding is not unusual - folk around here who definately dont need the 'help', taking full advantage week in week out.......

L

 

[Apthorpe]

There is no need for food banks. There is only one reason why they exist and that is political. It is to create a narrative that people are starving and going hungry in large numbers because of not enough communism. It is entirely bogus.

 

[gixer1]

i stopped donating to charities when i found out many run with 6 figure salaries given out to management etc and how much of a £ actually gets to where its going ....or even the waste some of said charities create or misuse their stock etc

so i was in a bit of a quandary and then a woman i know who was teaching me bbq / smoking stuff said what she does is 3 or 4x times a year she goes shopping and takes hubby and he takes a trolley as well...then they grab all dry goods pastas tinned stuffs toiletries etc in said supermarkets own brand ...say tesco blue and white label for example.... then that trolley goes to foodbank ...... i thought it was a good idea .... but if they started asking for brand names or particular more expensive style of foods id tell them no.

i have asked what are they short of and id get own brand of said item

i think rather than cash that that doing more direct help ....maybe im wrong


Paul

Charlie’s house are a pretty good local-ish charity Paul and you can see where every pound goes.

 

[User00056]

There is no need for food banks. There is only one reason why they exist and that is political. It is to create a narrative that people are starving and going hungry in large numbers because of not enough communism. It is entirely bogus.

I've always maintained this. Hadn't considered the political angle though

 

[User00047]

Mrs Gixer works for a firm that do different charitable initiatives, the most recent was a collection for a food bank, when Mrs Gixer went into said food bank to donate the collection, we were horrified to see the staff sigh and say that if possible could we in future try to donate Basmati rice instead of the long grain rice as the food bank has to buy in the basmati rice to suit the demands of people using it….(this was the westhill food bank).

It will, I’m afraid be the last time we donate to this food bank, also, anyone aware of the one in Ballater, which they have called the “food pantry” to try and ease their conscience - is being used by 3 persons I am aware of that earned 150k+ a year, (one of which was a business owner before retiring, and still stays in a 550k house)

It’s about time we tightened up scrutiny in these places…

Regards,
Gixer

My local food bank didn’t even want to take the case of Moet et Chandon I tried to donate….They said it was vintage Bollinger or **** off!