Food banks - what is the real story
Discussion
Oakey said:
I think we have different ideas of what 'living close to your means' is.
To most people hard up, a £700 repair bill for their car would mean it goes on the drive / sits outside the house until such time they've managed to save £700 to get it fixed. It isn't "well we'll spend £700 to repair it but go without food this week". You know, because most people don't have £700 to begin with.
Sure, if it's your weekend TVR. For everyone else - how do they get to work?To most people hard up, a £700 repair bill for their car would mean it goes on the drive / sits outside the house until such time they've managed to save £700 to get it fixed. It isn't "well we'll spend £700 to repair it but go without food this week". You know, because most people don't have £700 to begin with.
I'll humour where this is going and say they get the bus. While it ain't a £700 lump, the bus costs significantly more than petrol and other normal car running costs, so their ability to save is impaired, so the car isn't ever going to be fixed, and now their weekly costs are even higher.
trashbat said:
ure, if it's your weekend TVR. For everyone else - how do they get to work?
I'll humour where this is going and say they get the bus. While it ain't a £700 lump, the bus costs significantly more than petrol and other normal car running costs, so their ability to save is impaired, so the car isn't ever going to be fixed, and now their weekly costs are even higher.
You are missing the point, most people who are hard up simply do not have £700 as a lump sum available to them to spend on getting their car fixed so they have no choice but to make alternative arrangements whether that is public transport or, shock horror, walking. But then, this is PH after all where I guess even the poor are fI'll humour where this is going and say they get the bus. While it ain't a £700 lump, the bus costs significantly more than petrol and other normal car running costs, so their ability to save is impaired, so the car isn't ever going to be fixed, and now their weekly costs are even higher.
king loaded!Oakey said:
To most people hard up, a £700 repair bill for their car would mean it goes on the drive / sits outside the house until such time they've managed to save £700 to get it fixed. It isn't "well we'll spend £700 to repair it but go without food this week". You know, because most people don't have £700 to begin with.
Unless you need the car to get to work, which believe it or not some people do. In that scenario you spend every penny you have and beg, borrow or steal the rest to get it up and running again. Sometimes it's just not a choice to wait.Oakey said:
You are missing the point, most people who are hard up simply do not have £700 as a lump sum available to them to spend on getting their car fixed so they have no choice but to make alternative arrangements whether that is public transport or, shock horror, walking.
Or more likely, either a Wonga payday loan, or giving up work and signing on. Plenty of "options" available. I'd rather they used food banks to be honest.Oakey said:
trashbat said:
ure, if it's your weekend TVR. For everyone else - how do they get to work?
I'll humour where this is going and say they get the bus. While it ain't a £700 lump, the bus costs significantly more than petrol and other normal car running costs, so their ability to save is impaired, so the car isn't ever going to be fixed, and now their weekly costs are even higher.
You are missing the point, most people who are hard up simply do not have £700 as a lump sum available to them to spend on getting their car fixed so they have no choice but to make alternative arrangements whether that is public transport or, shock horror, walking. But then, this is PH after all where I guess even the poor are fI'll humour where this is going and say they get the bus. While it ain't a £700 lump, the bus costs significantly more than petrol and other normal car running costs, so their ability to save is impaired, so the car isn't ever going to be fixed, and now their weekly costs are even higher.
king loaded!REALIST123 said:
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why they get away with it............
My opinion is that there is a need out there for this service.I prefer a targeted service providing worthwhile food than the alternative of giving money and it being spent at Betfred and Bargain Booze.
If people are scamming it, tighten checks and procedures, but don't damn the service as a whole because of it.
10 Pence Short said:
C'mon guys. Yes, any system of help will have a broad mixture of people using it, from those in dire need to those, at the other end, who abuse it.
Generalising in lazy and stale stereotypes isn't an intelligent way to approach the subject.
It is a matter of fact that the price of food has risen out of proportion in recent times. It is also a matter of fact that you can't judge someone's cash flow now by their possessions.
That's completely true 10PS.Generalising in lazy and stale stereotypes isn't an intelligent way to approach the subject.
It is a matter of fact that the price of food has risen out of proportion in recent times. It is also a matter of fact that you can't judge someone's cash flow now by their possessions.
Now post that exact same text over in the mansion tax thread.
I think the problem is that there is a lot of illusion of wealth today, for example it is cheaper and easier to buy a new car on a finance deal than try to save up to buy a good second hand car.
It is cheaper to have new phone contract with a new phone than buying an older phone with a pay as you go contract.
It is easier to get a new TV, washing machine, computer on a high interest forever deal than trying to get the money together to buy second hand.
A lot of people live month by month and an unexpected bill will cripple them. The problem is that these type of people are not newsworthy. It is the feckless and attention seekers (the Jeremy Kyle types) which you will see in the papers as these feed into people's prejudices about the poor.
The middle class man who loses his job, faces losing him home, doesn't qualify for benefits - well you will only hear about him when he jumps off a building
It is cheaper to have new phone contract with a new phone than buying an older phone with a pay as you go contract.
It is easier to get a new TV, washing machine, computer on a high interest forever deal than trying to get the money together to buy second hand.
A lot of people live month by month and an unexpected bill will cripple them. The problem is that these type of people are not newsworthy. It is the feckless and attention seekers (the Jeremy Kyle types) which you will see in the papers as these feed into people's prejudices about the poor.
The middle class man who loses his job, faces losing him home, doesn't qualify for benefits - well you will only hear about him when he jumps off a building
Did a referral for a rather rotund woman last year. She asked me what sort of food do they give, told her it's non-perishable items like tinned foods. Her response 'oh, do they not have any fresh meat'.
We had the crisis loans, that was gotten rid of, all the boroughs then implemented their own schemes. The people who apply for that can only do it a limited number of times so will depend on food banks more. The money for it from the boroughs will eventually dry up. Food banks will only get more and more busy.
We had the crisis loans, that was gotten rid of, all the boroughs then implemented their own schemes. The people who apply for that can only do it a limited number of times so will depend on food banks more. The money for it from the boroughs will eventually dry up. Food banks will only get more and more busy.
Blue Cat said:
I think the problem is that there is a lot of illusion of wealth today, for example it is cheaper and easier to buy a new car on a finance deal than try to save up to buy a good second hand car.
It is cheaper to have new phone contract with a new phone than buying an older phone with a pay as you go contract.
It is easier to get a new TV, washing machine, computer on a high interest forever deal than trying to get the money together to buy second hand.
A lot of people live month by month and an unexpected bill will cripple them. The problem is that these type of people are not newsworthy. It is the feckless and attention seekers (the Jeremy Kyle types) which you will see in the papers as these feed into people's prejudices about the poor.
The middle class man who loses his job, faces losing him home, doesn't qualify for benefits - well you will only hear about him when he jumps off a building
This is one of the most intelligent posts I have read on here in a while.It is cheaper to have new phone contract with a new phone than buying an older phone with a pay as you go contract.
It is easier to get a new TV, washing machine, computer on a high interest forever deal than trying to get the money together to buy second hand.
A lot of people live month by month and an unexpected bill will cripple them. The problem is that these type of people are not newsworthy. It is the feckless and attention seekers (the Jeremy Kyle types) which you will see in the papers as these feed into people's prejudices about the poor.
The middle class man who loses his job, faces losing him home, doesn't qualify for benefits - well you will only hear about him when he jumps off a building
gpo746 said:
Blue Cat said:
I think the problem is that there is a lot of illusion of wealth today, for example it is cheaper and easier to buy a new car on a finance deal than try to save up to buy a good second hand car.
It is cheaper to have new phone contract with a new phone than buying an older phone with a pay as you go contract.
It is easier to get a new TV, washing machine, computer on a high interest forever deal than trying to get the money together to buy second hand.
A lot of people live month by month and an unexpected bill will cripple them. The problem is that these type of people are not newsworthy. It is the feckless and attention seekers (the Jeremy Kyle types) which you will see in the papers as these feed into people's prejudices about the poor.
The middle class man who loses his job, faces losing him home, doesn't qualify for benefits - well you will only hear about him when he jumps off a building
This is one of the most intelligent posts I have read on here in a while.It is cheaper to have new phone contract with a new phone than buying an older phone with a pay as you go contract.
It is easier to get a new TV, washing machine, computer on a high interest forever deal than trying to get the money together to buy second hand.
A lot of people live month by month and an unexpected bill will cripple them. The problem is that these type of people are not newsworthy. It is the feckless and attention seekers (the Jeremy Kyle types) which you will see in the papers as these feed into people's prejudices about the poor.
The middle class man who loses his job, faces losing him home, doesn't qualify for benefits - well you will only hear about him when he jumps off a building
We used a foodbank once.
Before christmas we were living with my mum after leaving our flat due to an infestation of rats from building work nearby. Voluntarily gave up our lease, but went to our local help group to see if there was any help we could get.
I very quickly realised there wasnt, and we had to slog it out saving up to get another rental place. However the Missus got a call saying 'please go to your local foodbank on xx day'
We were a bit skeptical, but she went along anyway and came home with 5 massive bags full of food, tins, drink, a car seat, bog roll etc. More than we would normally buy in a month.
We felt a bit bad, but TBH it did help as my parents are poor themselves, but upon talking to SWMBO she said the bags were already made up and sat there with her name on, they ofered her a car seat which she declined initially as we have one each, but they insisted she take it. Sat in mums garage for a few months until I put it on Freecycle and it went to someone truly deserving.
I did feel bad, but it's readily handed out. The fact that we both work, earn x amount a year didnt matte, we had been referred so we got something.
We got told to go back the next month. We didn't go, both feeling we werent the most deserving of it. It seems to me to just be a box ticking excersise, by appointment only
Before christmas we were living with my mum after leaving our flat due to an infestation of rats from building work nearby. Voluntarily gave up our lease, but went to our local help group to see if there was any help we could get.
I very quickly realised there wasnt, and we had to slog it out saving up to get another rental place. However the Missus got a call saying 'please go to your local foodbank on xx day'
We were a bit skeptical, but she went along anyway and came home with 5 massive bags full of food, tins, drink, a car seat, bog roll etc. More than we would normally buy in a month.
We felt a bit bad, but TBH it did help as my parents are poor themselves, but upon talking to SWMBO she said the bags were already made up and sat there with her name on, they ofered her a car seat which she declined initially as we have one each, but they insisted she take it. Sat in mums garage for a few months until I put it on Freecycle and it went to someone truly deserving.
I did feel bad, but it's readily handed out. The fact that we both work, earn x amount a year didnt matte, we had been referred so we got something.
We got told to go back the next month. We didn't go, both feeling we werent the most deserving of it. It seems to me to just be a box ticking excersise, by appointment only
Oakey said:
You are missing the point, most people who are hard up simply do not have £700 as a lump sum available to them to spend on getting their car fixed so they have no choice but to make alternative arrangements whether that is public transport or, shock horror, walking. But then, this is PH after all where I guess even the poor are fking loaded!
700 for repairs I'm sure you could buy two bangers for thatking loaded!Mind what would their neibours think ....
I like most posters, don't know the real true need for food banks, but one thing I do know for certain is that the amount of food banks ( and tonnes of food given away ) is not a reliable source of data to judge the state of the :
- macro economy
- Goverment performance
- Level of poverty
- Child poverty
- Gap Rich to Poor
However Red Ed thinks it is.....
Sad that real need will be masked by Labour Politicians / Clergy..... give a man a net and all that....
- macro economy
- Goverment performance
- Level of poverty
- Child poverty
- Gap Rich to Poor
However Red Ed thinks it is.....
Sad that real need will be masked by Labour Politicians / Clergy..... give a man a net and all that....
Edited by Los Endos on Thursday 17th April 15:37
Blue Cat said:
I think the problem is that there is a lot of illusion of wealth today, for example it is cheaper and easier to buy a new car on a finance deal than try to save up to buy a good second hand car.
It is cheaper to have new phone contract with a new phone than buying an older phone with a pay as you go contract.
It is easier to get a new TV, washing machine, computer on a high interest forever deal than trying to get the money together to buy second hand.
A lot of people live month by month and an unexpected bill will cripple them. The problem is that these type of people are not newsworthy. It is the feckless and attention seekers (the Jeremy Kyle types) which you will see in the papers as these feed into people's prejudices about the poor.
The middle class man who loses his job, faces losing him home, doesn't qualify for benefits - well you will only hear about him when he jumps off a building
Good post is good. It is cheaper to have new phone contract with a new phone than buying an older phone with a pay as you go contract.
It is easier to get a new TV, washing machine, computer on a high interest forever deal than trying to get the money together to buy second hand.
A lot of people live month by month and an unexpected bill will cripple them. The problem is that these type of people are not newsworthy. It is the feckless and attention seekers (the Jeremy Kyle types) which you will see in the papers as these feed into people's prejudices about the poor.
The middle class man who loses his job, faces losing him home, doesn't qualify for benefits - well you will only hear about him when he jumps off a building
One way to ensure food banks never run out of food is to ban supermarkets from sending any food stuffs to landfill. Food banks would become food mountains overnight.
Oh and the couple who had to have £700 work done on their car im sorry but what car needs £700 work done on it? i've never had a £700 bill in my life, what did it need a new engine or something? surley scrap it and get a £500 banger.
Oh and the couple who had to have £700 work done on their car im sorry but what car needs £700 work done on it? i've never had a £700 bill in my life, what did it need a new engine or something? surley scrap it and get a £500 banger.
Los Endos said:
I like most posters, don't know the real true need for food banks, but one thing I do know for certain is that the amount of food banks ( and tonnes of food given away ) is not a reliable source of data to judge the state of the :
- macro economy
- Goverment performance
- Level of poverty
- Child poverty
- Gap Rich to Poor
However Red Ed thinks it is.....
Sad that real need will be masked by Labour Politicians / Clergy..... give a man a net and all that....
i'd rather give £100 a month to a food bank then pay an extra £100 month in tax- macro economy
- Goverment performance
- Level of poverty
- Child poverty
- Gap Rich to Poor
However Red Ed thinks it is.....
Sad that real need will be masked by Labour Politicians / Clergy..... give a man a net and all that....
Edited by Los Endos on Thursday 17th April 15:37
As the tax would just be wasted
And i think the idea of a food bank is better then the dole as i would love to know how much benefits come from £100 dropped into the benefits blackhole is compared to £100 dropped in a charity blackhole
BoRED S2upid said:
Oh and the couple who had to have £700 work done on their car im sorry but what car needs £700 work done on it? i've never had a £700 bill in my life, what did it need a new engine or something? surley scrap it and get a £500 banger.
Maybe they did get a £500 banger and it needed £700 of work done. Let's look at this in more detail. I bought a Golf for £1k. It needed £500 of work done to pass the MOT (brake hoses, new tyres, some other bits and pieces plus labour). I could have bought another heap o' s
te for £500 but there's no guarantee it wouldn't need £500 of work done in 5 months' time so I decided to cough up. If it had been £1k of work, I'd have gone with another heap o' ste.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff