Poverty

[smurfchops]

Probably opening a can of worms here but … all these people who can’t afford to feed their children and use food banks .. do they all have a mobile phone, ciggies and a flat screen tv?

[bednobs]

i dont know everyone who uses a food bank, so cant answer

[-SharonA-]

Probably.

[Zacs-Master]

Awww, gawd. Here we go again.

[douglas9401]

You forgot cans of cider.

[pastafreak]

And if they do? Does that mean that ever increasing costs are not having an effect on them. Maybe the cigs are a habit, and the mobile and tv were purchased when things were better.
People can be too damn judgemental sometimes.

[sandyRoe]

Yes, and a nice car and two holidays abroad each year.
Seriously, some poor parents are skipping meals so that their children don't go hungry.

[Pete65]

Of course not.

[gness]

Ditch the phone and ciggies, sell the TV you think they all might have. Buy food for a few weeks and then what?
Not all who have to use food banks have children.

[Paigntonian]

Methinks a little Christian charity might be appropriate here. Unlike some of you I have for two years helped with a food bank and I can assure you that most of our 'customers' have genuine problems. They include the homeless, people who have experienced problems with the DWP, people who have drug and alcohol problems etc. I have to say that I consider it life-enhancing that so many people help us, including major stores, and have to say it is a wholly worthwhile experience.

[Paigntonian]

Forgot to mention that we receive help from the Salvation Army, the Church of England, the Catholic church, and several local charities. It's a true community effort. And, no, we don't judge people if they drink, smoke or take drugs...

[pastafreak]

I was just reading a DM report about the first cost of living payment going out.
The hatred for those receiving it is shocking. So many nasty assumptions and references to people spending it on tattoos, trainers and cigarettes. It's being given to the the fat, lazy and workshy. Where do people get these ideas?

[jennyjoan]

if the "fat workshy etc people etc " are left without some cigarettes, a big TV that has been got from some other person - what on earth have they got.

stare at the walls and wait for God.

[William51]

Yes they would have them. They regard them as necessary for living, but in the past they were luxuries.

[anneasquith]

They, the poor, go on holiday every year to Benidorm on holiday.

[Ken4155]

"Where do people get these ideas?"

Television docu series.

[roadman]

ciggies televisions and mobile phones are all distractions from the ever impending sense of doom as someone said if they sold them then what they probably have two hundred quid not going to get them far probably best keep the tv so they dont go to the bookies every weekend bored

[pimplyteen]

Poverty? I don't think many in this country know what that really means. However there are many families that will find it more difficult to manage the present increases, even people that didn't find it difficult before.
Saying that many also don't know what their priorities are, or should be, but I think over the next few months they may have to learn.
It might also be a good idea to start making full use of the kitchen.

[anneasquith]

12.06. I was being sarcastic :-)….. I read on AB a while back that if you were an alcoholic you get a special benefit to buy your alcohol.. :-( . If only lol .

[pastafreak]

I was worried for a minute there Anne ;)

Could it be that severe alcoholics might actually get an allowance of sorts as complete withdrawal could kill them?

[anneasquith]

No no benefits pasta. If they are lucky they may get a placement on a drug/ alcohol programme .