[Zizu]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...I’m not sure that I agree that eating all meals at their schools would be beneficial to a child...family meals together are a very important thing...and very valued at the end of a school/work day by parents and children...

Oh yea . I wholeheartedly agree but sadly we are seeing so many kids that are just not getting fed enough in the current system


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[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Zizu

Oh yea . I wholeheartedly agree but sadly we are seeing so many kids that are just not getting fed enough in the current system


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...breakfast clubs and providing breakfast boxes etc for children is something that is already being done in many schools, Zizu...which was also pre-pandemic...I don’t know if you have anything similar at your own school...and those are funded in various different ways, locally...but I’m not sure if a school involvement is an ideal either, rather than providing in the home because a child in poverty and need of food etc, would indicate a parent/parents in poverty as well, the whole family, obviously...

...and because of the extraordinary times that we’re living in atm, rising poverty is looking at being a long term thing, we can’t fathom at all atm how the impact is going to unfold...UNICEF are projecting at least 5 years for wealthier countries such as the U.K...for poor countries, I can’t even imagine...

[Ammi]

...when a child goes to school hungry as well, it shouldn’t be assumed any ‘parent misuse of their budget’ or whatever because I would imagine that being the case to be quite rare...(...in my own experience as well...)...a parent(parents) can be struggling themselves for many reasons and a whole family needs help and support...which is very difficult to get for them with the resources we have atm...even in pandemic times of much need, resources still being kept minimum...

[Zizu]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...breakfast clubs and providing breakfast boxes etc for children is something that is already being done in many schools, Zizu...which was also pre-pandemic...I don’t know if you have anything similar at your own school...and those are funded in various different ways, locally...but I’m not sure if a school involvement is an ideal either, rather than providing in the home because a child in poverty and need of food etc, would indicate a parent/parents in poverty as well, the whole family, obviously...

...and because of the extraordinary times that we’re living in atm, rising poverty is looking at being a long term thing, we can’t fathom at all atm how the impact is going to unfold...UNICEF are projecting at least 5 years for wealthier countries such as the U.K...for poor countries, I can’t even imagine...

Yeah I realise some schools offer breakfast clubs etc. .. I was proposing it for all schools and free meals for all kids ..

Just thinking out of the box as the current system clearly isn’t working


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[Vicky.]

To get access to a food bank, you need a food bank voucher from a professional or organisation working with the foodbank. This might be a health or social care worker (GP, nurses, social worker etc.) or local charity such as Citizens Advice.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/About-Us/...sing-foodbanks

To receive an emergency food parcel from the Trussell Trust you have to have a food voucher issued by a doctor or social worker or someone similar. People working in Jobcentres can signpost people to a Trussell Trust food bank but they can’t make a direct referral (although the Trussell Trust told us this isn’t quite the case in practice).

https://fullfact.org/economy/why-are...ng-food-banks/

Am wondering if the twice a year thing is just our local one..I only knew about that as a friend was having universal credit delays (delays wet on nearly 4 months, and you can apparently only get one advance payment, so a months worth of the bare minimum needed to live on, spread out over 4 months) and could only get the 2 and was told thats the limit. Happy to retract that bit as that might be a local thing rather than universal. However. if you need referals from professionals, fairly sure they are not just giving the vouchers out willynilly to people who reek of booze and turn up every monday Its definitely not as easy as so many think it is.

Cherie, it appears yours is breaking the usual rules, and for what reason I have no clue as obviously if its just used by all, with no safeguarding at all there will be huge amounts of abuse, which is why they did it where you need referals to begin with. I wonder if that was maybe some private independant company trying to help out poorer people, sort of like those cafes that will give free food to those who need it..either way, advertising once and thats it kind of says it went under quite quickly, which it would if just being basically a supermarket that people can go to and use when they wish but not pay! Do you have a link by any chance to the one you are talking about? I find it totally bizarre that any foodbank would do that and would be intersted in seeing how long they have been open and stats too would be intersting..assuming they keep them of course


I should maybe ammend what I said to..there are strict rules for trussel trust foodbanks, which are the 'official' ones, but smaller ones might exist that do not have such rules, but they would not stay open long with no restrictons in place And no, thats not (only/mainly) because of feckless parents boozing away their child benefit, but because if the chance is there, many would take it. Like, assuming an independant one is just like a supermarket..even those in work, or very rich would be tempted to just go there, fill up and save money. For example, some middle class people saving for a mortgage/holiday would do this if it was possible, as they would save quicker..the potential for abuse is endless.

Totally bonkers if some exist who literally just let people go endlessly and get whatever they want.

Another thing my friend found, was that she did not get to chose any of the stuff she got. That makes sense to me, they make up parcels that contain enough to live on temporarily and thats that. But so many around here were shocked, as they thought a foodbank was basically a free tesco.

I got a bunch of advent calanders for one near here a few weeks back. Don't generally do anything like that but the advert was on about how some kids wont even have a calender, will get nowt for xmas, and so on and it made me feel awful..and lucky. We are quite skint but, loaded compared to some. Cannot imagine not having enough money to feed my kids..am so lucky that the few times pay has messed up, I have family who can help me. Too many don't.

I was whinged at by a 'friend' for buying advent calendars. As chocolate is not a necessity and I should have given tins of beans or something I know its not a necessity, but the kids are still normal kids, just in hard times. I found it quite awful that they thought no treats should ever be allowed to be given. Hardly the childs fault they are in this situation.

I dread to think what it will be like next year, when all the job losses hit.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/About-Us/...sing-foodbanks



https://fullfact.org/economy/why-are...ng-food-banks/

Am wondering if the twice a year thing is just our local one..I only knew about that as a friend was having universal credit delays (delays wet on nearly 4 months, and you can apparently only get one advance payment, so a months worth of the bare minimum needed to live on, spread out over 4 months) and could only get the 2 and was told thats the limit. Happy to retract that bit as that might be a local thing rather than universal. However. if you need referals from professionals, fairly sure they are not just giving the vouchers out willynilly to people who reek of booze and turn up every monday Its definitely not as easy as so many think it is.

Cherie, it appears yours is breaking the usual rules, and for what reason I have no clue as obviously if its just used by all, with no safeguarding at all there will be huge amounts of abuse, which is why they did it where you need referals to begin with. I wonder if that was maybe some private independant company trying to help out poorer people, sort of like those cafes that will give free food to those who need it..either way, advertising once and thats it kind of says it went under quite quickly, which it would if just being basically a supermarket that people can go to and use when they wish but not pay! Do you have a link by any chance to the one you are talking about? I find it totally bizarre that any foodbank would do that and would be intersted in seeing how long they have been open and stats too would be intersting..assuming they keep them of course


I should maybe ammend what I said to..there are strict rules for trussel trust foodbanks, which are the 'official' ones, but smaller ones might exist that do not have such rules, but they would not stay open long with no restrictons in place And no, thats not (only/mainly) because of feckless parents boozing away their child benefit, but because if the chance is there, many would take it. Like, assuming an independant one is just like a supermarket..even those in work, or very rich would be tempted to just go there, fill up and save money. For example, some middle class people saving for a mortgage/holiday would do this if it was possible, as they would save quicker..the potential for abuse is endless.

Totally bonkers if some exist who literally just let people go endlessly and get whatever they want.

Another thing my friend found, was that she did not get to chose any of the stuff she got. That makes sense to me, they make up parcels that contain enough to live on temporarily and thats that. But so many around here were shocked, as they thought a foodbank was basically a free tesco.

I got a bunch of advent calanders for one near here a few weeks back. Don't generally do anything like that but the advert was on about how some kids wont even have a calender, will get nowt for xmas, and so on and it made me feel awful..and lucky. We are quite skint but, loaded compared to some. Cannot imagine not having enough money to feed my kids..am so lucky that the few times pay has messed up, I have family who can help me. Too many don't.

I was whinged at by a 'friend' for buying advent calendars. As chocolate is not a necessity and I should have given tins of beans or something I know its not a necessity, but the kids are still normal kids, just in hard times. I found it quite awful that they thought no treats should ever be allowed to be given. Hardly the childs fault they are in this situation.

I dread to think what it will be like next year, when all the job losses hit.

I have gone back into the app to see if I could find the advert, it may have been removed as it could have been a scam or worse,I was surprised to see a 'just turn up' advice, if I find it I will screen shot it

[Vicky.]

This thread made me think actually about who uses foodbanks.

And apparently 'more than half' of users are disabled (or were in November 2018, which is unlikely to have changed much)..which is rather bloody depressing.

“More than half of food bank users are disabled people or those with a long-term health condition. The initiatives by Trussell Trust shows that society is reaching out to them but they must wonder why there is a government denying them adequate social protection.”

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/n...-thirteen-cent

Plus seemingly the most common reason for needing one is the ridiculous 6 week wait for universal credit. Which has been purposely built that way for some reason. Surely there could be different way to do it, especially when loads of 'hardworking people' will be claiming now, or soon.

(Slightly offtopic but - Thats interesting too actually, so many I know who used to scream about universal credit being way too high, people can apparently live luxury lifestyles, should be for bare essentals, not even a little for anything thats not essential, etc etc..are now up in arms as its too low to live on apparently, now that they are the ones having to claim..)

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

This thread made me think actually about who uses foodbanks.

And apparently 'more than half' of users are disabled (or were in November 2018, which is unlikely to have changed much)..which is rather bloody depressing.

“More than half of food bank users are disabled people or those with a long-term health condition. The initiatives by Trussell Trust shows that society is reaching out to them but they must wonder why there is a government denying them adequate social protection.”

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/n...-thirteen-cent

Plus seemingly the most common reason for needing one is the ridiculous 6 week wait for universal credit. Which has been purposely built that way for some reason. Surely there could be different way to do it, especially when loads of 'hardworking people' will be claiming now, or soon.

(Slightly offtopic but - Thats interesting too actually, so many I know who used to scream about universal credit being way too high, people can apparently live luxury lifestyles, should be for bare essentals, not even a little for anything thats not essential, etc etc..are now up in arms as its too low to live on apparently, now that they are the ones having to claim..)

I have to say.
Your posts on food banks is spot on.

Over the years on here, I've commented many times on them.

Reading your posts has been a breath of fresh air as to them and their usual set up procedures of use too.

You've said it all.

The post above is really strong too.
Because many disabled have had reduced income when losing disability allowance when needing to claim PIP.

The extra hardship caused there until they go through months or more of fighting in a court to get that restored when removed wrongly by these so called health care assistants, who are only looking at reducing the numbers on PIP, not ensuring people get their full entitlements at all.


The fact UNICEF now feel they have to be involved in this Country, is and should be worrying.
In my view it is anyway.

[Tom4784]

Charities are only needed when a government fails to provide for it's people. We shouldn't be championing relying on them when the government is failing to do right by the poor and vulnerable.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Shocking

With this Government nothing shocks me anymore.

[Scarlett.]

Go **** yourself, Rees-Mogg

[Captain.Remy]

Are the boxes vegan and contain almond milk though?

[Captain.Remy]

But yeah this is incredibly sad and depressing.

[Nicky91]

well in my country they are raising money now too

one radio channel 538 is doing that for food banks, for the poor and vulnerable

and another 3FM has revived a corona-proof version of Serious Request tomorrow, one week before christmas, where 3 dj's lock themselves up in a glass house, now from a military airbase not to attract too many people around the building, but that most people can watch on tv or listen via radio and request what songs they want to hear in exchange for money, raising that to fight coronavirus, extra research, and to buy more medical equipment for frontline workers

[arista]

[GoldHeart]

It just shows how bad poverty is in the UK for this to be happening, it's weird to think this country is affected soo badly by it . But this is a very real issue .