Your Opinion!

[TWR]

Is this what we voted for? FOOD BANKS? this country is a disgrace.

[AlwaysConfused]

I moved out of home at the stubborn age of 16. I went to college and had a job. As I was under the age of 18, I wasn't eligible for grants, loans, bank card etc, and had to fend for myself. All I wanted was an education, independence, a roof over my head, warmth and food.

I went through a hard patch, I went back to my mums to explain that I wasn't coping as well as expected. But before being able to say anything, she greeted me with excitement, and ushered me into her new 'study' that she had decorated and decked out with new, posh furniture. STUDY! That's my bedroom! She was so excited, I didn't have the heart to say anything, so I went to a young persons organisation who gave me enough tinned food, pasta and rice to last me a week or so, maybe more, I can't remember.

I'm presuming this is the same thing as a food bank?

[albaqwerty]

It is a fact of life. The rich and the poor.
When we were 'flush' we did think about those less well off.
Hah, flush, when we were both working.

[albaqwerty]

AC, you would always have had a bed here xx

[flump1]

When the benefits agency stopped my benefit abruptly I was left with no income until it was reinstated. I applied for a crisis loan and in the interim period I was in receipt of a food hamper from a local church. It was very welcome ,otherwise I simply would have had to go cap in hand to friends. With the economic climate the way it is, funds are short for them too so it wasn't something I felt I could do .I was given two hampers in all and it was with out doubt lifesaving. Until a person has been as low as you have to go to approach people for help, you do not realise what it is like. I was extremely grateful. I didn't see it as a disgrace, more as a blessing.

[albaqwerty]

flump, ((hugs))

Those in work who haven't been made redundant yet can sit on their thrones and dismiiss us quite quickly.
Well, when they get there, hell mend them.

[naomi24]

Alba, I'm not dismissing the poor - simply saying that there will always be the wealthy and the poor - and there will. It is a fact of life.

[ummmm]

And we should always help those who need it. The people in this country are known for their generosity...long live it continue.

[karenmac60]

Is it just me who thinks a lot of folk seem to be misunderstanding TWR stating it's a disgrace. I don't think he is blaming the food banks - but in the same way that Poppy charities are a great thing because they support veterans, in this day and age and in a country as wealthy as ours, it's a disgrace that people should have to rely on them. Yes there will always be rich and poor, but the gap between the 2 is so vast and the amount joining the ranks of the poor is increasing all the time. It's getting so we'll have the poorhouse back soon while our millionnaire government sit back with no clue about how hard ordinary people have it right now.

[Graham-W]

A lot of the food in food banks is provided by supermarkets and other shops who give late dated stock to the banks for the needy.
The alternative is to throw all the acceptable food away and let people go hungry or turn to crime to feed themselves and their children.
It's the throwing away of perfectly good food which I find totally unacceptable.
I just hope the bankers who got us into this mess are not employed running the food banks.