Food banks

[Ray B]

I know nothing on how you would obtain a food hamper from a food bank today.
When the first food banks were set up, you would need a referral from a social worker or someone in a official position to give out a voucher for food collection. Is this still the way food banks are run.
It seems to me that nowadays food banks are serving more and more people in need, now I do hope I am wrong, but are these all genuine people or are there more of, if it's free I will have a go, for some scroungers.
I think in this day and age it is unfortunate that we have these places that are essential for some people but not for those that are really not in need.

[oldbluefox]

I think food and clothes banks are a good idea for those who are in genuine need but I do wonder how many are servicing the needs of the idle and indolent who see the benefit system as a chosen lifestyle topped up by cash in hand labour and can then spend the money they save on alcohol, tobacco, gambling, drugs etc. There are those who are genuinely unable to work but I know/have known of those who work the system.

In many ways food banks are a good way of reducing food waste from supermarkets and recycling clothes and toys which are no longer wanted.

It is those who are trapped in the middle, earning just above the benefit ceiling who may be missing out the most; earning too much for benefit but not enough to afford a more comfortable lifestyle. Working for a living should always be rewarding.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I think you still need a referral but the issue is how one gets in a position to qualify for one. I have no doubt there are many many cases of genuine need from people forced into poverty by circumstances beyond their control. But I have no doubt at all there are idlers who choose the benefits lifestyle rather than put in a day's work and would rather spend what they do have on booze, fans and Netflix then feeding their kids. In a compassionate society we have to swallow the anger at supporting those wasters to ensure we look after the genuine needy.

[screwy]

My BIL chats to the Car Park attendant at our town centre Sainsbugs.
He showed the BIL a couple who regularly park up in a Mercedes SUV. They go to the food bank and return with 2 bags. Like everything,it’s open to abuse.

[barney]

I’d like to think that people don’t abuse this but the cynic in me doubts that.
Our local one in Bideford is, no ID, no questions asked, no referral needed.
I expect that some who don’t need it will take advantage.

[Kendhni]

Foodbanks are a true case of 'build it and they will come'.

[Ray B]

Ken, that is exactly my point. It is essential that those that circumstances have caused them to seek help of a food bank are looked after until such time they can support themselves. But the way these places seem to expand into huge buildings as they tell us the need is outstripping their ability to keep up with demand for help , seems that something is desperately wrong. Or, the food banks are being used by the `it's free so I'll have it 'brigade.
Unfortunately Merv is correct in saying, we have to except scroungers while trying to give help for those genuinely in need.
I do not like to judge users of food banks, but having now retired, I worked for 20 years in local authority I have seen my share of the idle workshy layabouts and that is the real reason prompting my post.

[Mervyn and Trish]

There did seem to be something in the Autumn Statement about trying to weed out the workshy but no doubt the Bleeding Heart Lefties will be getting their Lawyer mates on the case!

[Onelife]

Every bennift system is abused and food banks are no different…I’m of the opinion that they should keep dishing it out until such time that they are forced to ration the amounts they give out…it will be then that they become more selective with those who get it.

[Stephen]

I've got my Christmas order in.

[Ray B]

I did try to get some, but when I asked for the wine selection they politely told me to b@@@&r off.

[towny44]

There did seem to be something in the Autumn Statement about trying to weed out the workshy but no doubt the Bleeding Heart Lefties will be getting their Lawyer mates on the case!

I suspect a lot of those still below, but approaching state retirement age, will have retired with a company pension and have no intention of going back to work, however they will not be claiming benefits either.

[barney]

There did seem to be something in the Autumn Statement about trying to weed out the workshy but no doubt the Bleeding Heart Lefties will be getting their Lawyer mates on the case!

I suspect a lot of those still below, but approaching state retirement age, will have retired with a company pension and have no intention of going back to work, however they will not be claiming benefits either.

That’s me John, and I’ve no intention of going to work.
This old doing nothing lark is the best job I’ve ever had.
I’m still trying to persuade Mrs B to give it a go.
She reckons she’s too young yet, but I’ll keep plugging away.
Her shop lease expires next year, so you never know.

[towny44]

There did seem to be something in the Autumn Statement about trying to weed out the workshy but no doubt the Bleeding Heart Lefties will be getting their Lawyer mates on the case!

I suspect a lot of those still below, but approaching state retirement age, will have retired with a company pension and have no intention of going back to work, however they will not be claiming benefits either.

That’s me John, and I’ve no intention of going to work.
This old doing nothing lark is the best job I’ve ever had.
I’m still trying to persuade Mrs B to give it a go.
She reckons she’s too young yet, but I’ll keep plugging away.
Her shop lease expires next year, so you never know.

I agree entirely Barney, it was the best offer I ever received while working, was the early redundancy package back in 2000.

[Manoverboard]

I agree entirely Barney, it was the best offer I ever received while working, was the early redundancy package back in 2000.

What kept you ... I got my deal way back in 1993

[Kendhni]

Ken, that is exactly my point. It is essential that those that circumstances have caused them to seek help of a food bank are looked after until such time they can support themselves. But the way these places seem to expand into huge buildings as they tell us the need is outstripping their ability to keep up with demand for help , seems that something is desperately wrong. Or, the food banks are being used by the `it's free so I'll have it 'brigade.
Unfortunately Merv is correct in saying, we have to except scroungers while trying to give help for those genuinely in need.
I do not like to judge users of food banks, but having now retired, I worked for 20 years in local authority I have seen my share of the idle workshy layabouts and that is the real reason prompting my post.

Most of that is why I think consideration should be given to closing all food banks and start issuing at least part of the weekly 'entitlement' in food stamps instead.

[towny44]

Ken, that is exactly my point. It is essential that those that circumstances have caused them to seek help of a food bank are looked after until such time they can support themselves. But the way these places seem to expand into huge buildings as they tell us the need is outstripping their ability to keep up with demand for help , seems that something is desperately wrong. Or, the food banks are being used by the `it's free so I'll have it 'brigade.
Unfortunately Merv is correct in saying, we have to except scroungers while trying to give help for those genuinely in need.
I do not like to judge users of food banks, but having now retired, I worked for 20 years in local authority I have seen my share of the idle workshy layabouts and that is the real reason prompting my post.

Most of that is why I think consideration should be given to closing all food banks and start issuing at least part of the weekly 'entitlement' in food stamps instead.

Since most food banks are run by charities, your proposal would push the cost onto the govt, not really a sensible suggestion, even if well meant.

[Kendhni]

Since most food banks are run by charities, your proposal would push the cost onto the govt, not really a sensible suggestion, even if well meant.

Why? Where such a scheme is run correctly it actually costs the government less, because they recoup some of the money from the retailers accepting the stamps. The least sensible suggestion in any scenario is giving people something for nothing.

[Onelife]

The thing is Ken, the GIVE part is surplus ”sell by date produce” donated from supermarkets, collected and distributed by charities in outlet with little or no overheads. Whilst it is a sad fact that food banks are having to be used, they do serve a purpose, not least making good use of food that would otherwise have been dumped. I don’t think supermarkets would take kindly to people turning up asking for free handouts, whether it be with stamps or a bag…as for shop keepers they won’t want their shelfs or store rooms stocked with SBD produce.

I would imagine those who run food banks are a lot more savey in knowing who are the genuine one’s and could easily give the less deserving more selected bags thus not making it worth their while in looking for a free handout.

[Kendhni]

Not all food is surplus and maybe some consider £60+m as 'little or no overheads' but it does not get around the fact that when you give someone something for free they put no value on it and become dependent on it ... that is the society we are building.

You would think that, but then again it is not for those helping in the foodbanks to judge !!!

[david63]

is surplus ”sell by date produce”

That is largely due to the stupid, outdated (in fact they were outdated when they were introduced) regulations which in themselves pushes up prices.

It is the same old problem that we have with many things - we look at finding a solution and not tackling the cause.

Rather than having food banks would it not be a better approach to find out why some people "need" to use a food bank and tackle that problem?

Food stamps/vouchers, or whatever, are not a good idea. You have to build a system of deciding who can have them, how to distribute them, where they can be redeemed and how the shops/supermarkets get re-reimbursed. Then there is the stigma that some would have about using them and not to mention that there would be some who would misuse them by buying the wrong types of food.

[Kendhni]

Food stamps/vouchers, or whatever, are not a good idea. You have to build a system of deciding who can have them, how to distribute them, where they can be redeemed and how the shops/supermarkets get re-reimbursed. Then there is the stigma that some would have about using them and not to mention that there would be some who would misuse them by buying the wrong types of food.

Can be loaded onto the card already used to claim benefits with same card being used to pay for part or all of shopping ... even allows canny shoppers to build up a credit of 'stamps'. So no distribution issues and can be used anywhere (on food stuffs i.e. not booze, tobacco etc.) just like any other bank card ... banks already use similar systems to analyse expenditure. As to who ... a proportion of all benefits will be given as 'stamps' to ensure recipients focus on the necessities before the luxuries. There is nothing new in such systems.

[Onelife]

I see the issuing of stamps as an acceptance of failure of the Government who still hold on to the idea that anyone can climb out of poverty through hard work…this is a nonsense for the majority of low paid workers, single parents and those on benefits. Community projects, such as food banks are a fall-back resource that add great value to those who would otherwise go without.

The issuing of food coupons via stamps, cards etc would be another acceptance that those on the bottom rung of the ladder are there due to their own making, which, in the majority of cases is another nonsense generated by those who have never been there.

[Kendhni]

In one way you are correct, foodbanks do add great value in the same way as someone setting up a stall handing out £10 notes.
There is a strong argument that food banks keep people in poverty because, by providing handouts there is no incentive to actually do anything to pull themselves out of poverty. Your use of 'nonsense' reminds me of the government trying to tell the electorate that any suggestion that there was benefit fraud was 'nonsense'.

[Ray B]

One of the problems with obtaining a job is the amount of companies that require applicants to have previous experience. In other words, these companies rely on other companies doing the decent thing and offer training to new employees. If more is done by firms to offer training, it may go a long way to get more people into employment.