Food banks

[Burgerman]

I keep reading and hearing about the growth of food banks, esp by socialists during this election period.

They are saying that its discusting. Why do some people use them?
Without stating the obvious. Because thers are lots of people in this country that manage just fine living on benefits. A great many are driving cars, have clean well maintained properties, and cupboards and fridges full of food. I know a couple that have never worked, and have all that, and basically go fishing or watch TV every day and seem to have no problems. I am talking about non disabled. Inc one family of 4 with plenty of hobbies and a semi detached house.

I ask because I know of 2 food banks near here. And I really have considered popping in and stocking up my cupboards for free. I mean why not? Its just a shop that gives away stuff.

My real question is of course are there really people that cannot eat without them? Or are they really wasting money or running their lives badly in some other ways? Because I dont get it. I am excluding drug or alcohol issue and mental health issues here. Because the TV and the polititians do too. They are claiming that benefits are inadequate to cover some peoples lives.

[greybeard]

Frankly, I think it is socialist inspired bullshit.

[Burgerman]

Maybe but they are used. Theres often a line of people at the ones near here. It just makes me wonder how many are genuine hardship, or just taking advantage of a free shop!

Seems to me that they WILL spread. Because people will always go get free stuff if they can. So not evidence of governments so called austerity program. As its being claimed by the socialist and liberal parties. Austerity just = living within your means. I.e.paying back the labour parties debt and world recession from a decade back.

If theres genuinely that kind of poverty in the system I would like to understand where it is. I can understand a little short term cashflow issues. Because not everyone puts a little asside. But I have yet to see any figures that make it seem that its needed to eat.

[Burgerman]

I used to give money to the homeless at one time. Until I realised that it only helped them fund their habit. The majority just blow every penny on whatever they are addicted to. Thats why they are hungry, or homeless. Some want to be homeless. Some have mental issues. Some all 3.

But giving food, to them, is a good plan. But they seem to be a tiny proportion. Food isnt their main priority.

[Scooterman]

Last night BBC news were in a food bank in Grimsby. Like you I can understand people having to use one for a short while if they're suddenly unemployed or mix up with benefit payments etc.

But I do agree, people grab anything that's going free.

If Tesco were handing out free food we'd all be down there in a shot! We'd be crushed in the stampede.

[Burgerman]

Yes thats what reminded me.

Last night BBC news were in a food bank in Grimsby.

Very popular they seem too! Free anything generally is

[Cornbread]

Not sure about the UK or any other countries really. But in the places I've lived in the US they are nice to have. Not talking about government supported social services. Those are a separate conversation. Food banks, at least the ones I know are donation driven. And run by a variety of non profits. Not everyone that uses them needs to or should. But for those that do actually need them, they ease the burden. Not gonna bother with what exactly that burden is. Poor and a big family, lost job or just lazy. Plenty of reasons just as there are plenty of excuses. That part isn't for me to decide or judge. But, I'd rather make sure those that really do need it get it even if it means some that some will leech off the system.

Actually had a nice system in our area. Where people on the program could select a sort of menu from a list. Pay for it. Then the food would be delivered to a drop off where they could pick it up. Not free, but a significantly discounted price from buying it from the store. Healthy as well. Sadly, some of the ones running the program were stealing groceries for themselves without paying. Ended up shutting down. Now just have standard charity types.

[Scooterman]

Without wishing to be rude or flippant. Most of the people I see using food banks are fat, and might benefit from a period of fasting.

also I wonder if you get vegan food banks? they probably have them in Islington (a very liberal lefty constituency in london)

[Burgerman]

Heres that BBC film about a woman in grimsby that is destitute. She shows that she has only a few copper coins. But I have been looking at a link I was sent. She is the neice of a multi millionair lottery winner. Her son that she says needs her to feed him, and put a roof over his head is 19... And the reason she is not opening the fridge is because its likely got no food but plenty of in it. She is aparently always in a rough area of the town, drinking. Smoking. And likely doing drugs as she has done for many years. The reason she uses food banks is because it leaves more for the things she reallywants to spend money on. And so far she has around 16k in donations, including 1000s from lilly allen. So theres that! And I suspect its true.

As usual this was a fantasy film, by the lefties at the biased broadcasting company. Its all about voting the right way, for their favorite socialists and blaming this womans use of food banks on the governments austerity (spending within your means), and to help the labour vote. Why? Because grimsby is a swing seat, the conservatives look like they may get in, after 70 years of socialists. Just. This is the BBC trying to persuade a few to vote against the conservatives.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/election- ... nt-to-vote

[expresso]

i do believe there are many who really need the food and goes a long way for those who are truly in need - how can we know - we really dont

there will always be some that take advantage of free stuff -

i dont give money to homeless for food etc, - instead i offer to buy them something to eat and usually they never say no.

i see it alot here in the city and its sad - cant imagine being out in this cold - living in the street -

[Burgerman]

I think there may well be genuine cases in the US. In the UK we have a very socialist benefits structure, and nobody is left without enough to live on to the point where we would be homeless, or needing food banks. We are given housing benefit to pay rent, and enough spending money for food. The LEAST any adult gets for food and personal expenses if they cant be bothered to work, is 319 (a little over 400 dollars I think), plus housing benefits to pay for rent. And free "property taxes" and many other things inc medical care etc. Unless you are giving your money away, not paying the rent, or buying food with it. That is usually because they spend it on "other" things that they decided are higher priority. If you have children you get much more, until each is 16. So that makes the terminally lazy have new ones every time the oldest gets close to 16...

The other hing is that I AGREE with help like this if you come out of work temporarily. I also agree with help for the disabled, ill, etc that cannot help themselves. And I get much more that the above to cover getting about (+£230 or $300 dollars) and I get money for care and a few other things like a cheue for powerchairs, free medical splies, free NHS (which is stupidly inefficient), and other things too.

What I hate to see is lifestyle unemployed, blowing money of flat screen TVs, drugs, alcohol, iPhones, games consoles, that live in rented housing paid for by the taxpayer. Then claiming poverty and using food banks... Theres a lot of that here. Sometimes 3 or 4 generations of them living on the same council estates.

[Scooterman]

As usual this was a fantasy film, by the lefties at the biased broadcasting company. Its all about voting the right way, for their favorite socialists and blaming this womans use of food banks on the governments austerity (spending within your means), and to help the labour vote. Why? Because grimsby is a swing seat, the conservatives look like they may get in, after 70 years of socialists. Just. This is the BBC trying to persuade a few to vote against the conservatives.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/election- ... ote[/[/

That’s very true, I didn’t think of that

I think there may well be genuine cases in the US.

Ditto.


I’m not heartless, but I live in social housing flats on a social housing estate and it riles me that people who’ve never worked and never paid a penny in tax are always slagging off the government and benefit agency.

In the UK when the left use the term ‘poverty’ they’re talking about relative poverty not absolute poverty, RP is a marxist definition.

One way of reducing ‘poverty’ (aka relative poverty) is through punitive taxation, driving wealth out of a country. Then the poorest in society are automatically lifted out of poverty even though their circumstances haven’t improved.

Economists (on both the Left and Right) can gerrymander the figures to say whatever they want them to say.

[Burgerman]

I’m not heartless, but I live in social housing flats on a social housing estate and it riles me that people who’ve never worked and never paid a penny in tax are always slagging off the government and benefit agency.

Read what I posted above edited while you posted this!

It should be :
Less help for those you describe.
More help for those like you, and those genuinely jobless temporarily. You know, the tax payer!
And a capitalist, free trade economy that help those that help themselves.

We want equality.
Equality of opportunity. Not the socialists equality of outcome.

____________

One way of reducing ‘poverty’ (aka relative poverty) is through punitive taxation, driving wealth out of a country. Then the poorest in society are automatically lifted out of poverty even though their circumstances haven’t improved.

Making the COUNTRY and business suffer over the longer term. Reducing living standards over time. A little socialism does that as we are right now in the UK.
A lot of socialism, (corbyn marxist style) gives us venuzuala - after all chavez and maduro are his heros! He stood up and said so. They are ALL much worse off now. But equal!

The conservatives should play this on TV over and over.
WATCH if you are a lefty, a labour voter, or a BBC lover:


youtu.be/2FbWsINjpRY

[Scooterman]

It should be :
Less help for those you describe.
More help for those like you, and those genuinely jobless temporarily. You know, the tax payer!
And a capitalist, free trade economy that help those that help themselves.

We want equality.
Equality of opportunity. Not the socialists equality of outcome.

I totally agree with you. The only benefit I receive now is PIP (I was just recently assessed and moved across from DLA). Originally I was on DLA higher rate care and higher rate mob, then when I moved into my adapted flat and started to live more independently I was downgraded to middle rate care, perhaps even as time went on lower rate care would have been more appropiate? But whatever, I knew I'd be re-assessed when I was moved across to PIP.

When I was reassessed for PIP a month or two ago I had a home visit and I'm now on enhanced mob and standard care, which I feel is fair, and what I would have awarded myself. I'm not interested in scamming the system and claiming what I'm not entitled to, it's not the governments money, it the money of the poor sods who trudge off to work every morning.

You guys in this forum are unlucky enough to need far more help than me. None of you want some one caring for you, or to be totally dependent on a powered mobility. I had carers for a while and hated it, it was so frustrating, I feel for you guys.

My bit of PIP Mob funds buying and modifying my mobility aids (scooter, powerchair, manual chair, rollator, frames) and the Care part buying household items to make life a bit easier and will eventually pay for someone to mop the floors and cut the grass. At the moment I'm lucky enough that my mum and dad do it for me.