Foodbank Use At Record High

[fiction-factory]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/food-banks-parcels-poverty-trussell-trust-record-a9200471.html
I find this confusing. Some see it as evidence that the government policies are driving lots more people into poverty. But isn't this also a sign that more food is being being donated - so it's a form of redistribution of wealth. If donations haven't increased then presumably when demand was lower food there was a surplus of food in foodbanks or they gave out bigger portions. Demand will equal supply won't it? As more is donated and more are aware then more people will be served. Or are we serving more people as demand grows but giving smaller portions so foodbank users are still going hungry?

[Theland]

In 1982, following redundancy, I tried to get by, by baking my own bread, one thick slice and strawberry jam was a meal.
Cheap chicken wings and vegetables gave the appearance of a roast dinner.
Still had to rely on Mum and Dad God bless them, to make ends meet.
No food banks in those days, just sell stuff.
Alas, Naomi is either blind, or willingly blind, this ubiquitous poverty is everywhere if anybody is in the least bit interested in looking for it.

[Theland]

Some ABers make me so angry!
I had better go to bed before I blow a gasket!

[vulcan42]

Theland, I don't understand you. Naomi says "If it( foodbanks) is available it will be taken advantage of".
You then say you find her comments snobbish and selfish, yet later you twice agree with her statement. If you agree why tell her she's snobbish and selfish, do you just enjoy being rude to her?

[sherrardk]

If you donate to food banks then you’re presumably nice enough to think that those receiving your donations are worthy. If you don’t donate, shut up.

[Theland]

Vulcan - enlighten me.
Am I confused? Possibly.
Nice to hear from you.

[Theland]

Tired and, " Fostered," two more cans to go. :-)

[Mozz71]

Vulcan, I've noticed that Theland often jumps down Naomi's throat with increasing regularity, sometimes justifiably, sometimes not so much.

There's a definite grudge here methinks.

[albaqwerty]

''No food banks in those days, just sell stuff. ''

TL,charity has been around since biblical times, no food banks in 1982?
Well, I'll take your word for it, but there certainly would have been assistance out there.

[albaqwerty]

lol Mozz, yep :-))

[Theland]

Qwerty, at the time I remember walking miles to a second hand shop to sell my 0-1 micrometer, the mark of an engineer, to get money for food. And nappies. Terry nappies were on the way out then.

[Mozz71]

In fairness Alba, I don't recall foodbanks being a thing before the late 90's. The Sally Army may have had something similar in place earlier, I'm not certain.

[ummmm]

Yes Alba...my grand mother and her siblings were helped by the church. There has always been a need.

[Theland]

I have the highest regard for Naomi.
I admire here scholarship and integrity.
I consider her a friend, ( hope it is reciprocated), but as a friend I call her out if Imthink she is wrong, as she does to me.
But, "jump down her throat?"
Never!
I have too much respect for the lady.

[Theland]

The church, "Jumble Sale?" Smelly clothes and moth eaten books. Needs must.

[Mozz71]

Okay TL, just my observations. Maybe it was Fosters induced in this instance! ;-)

[albaqwerty]

I don't doubt for one minute that food banks weren't around, I think maybe the 'name' has changed
(oh lawdy, I'm making a hash of typing my attempt at explaining what I mean)

Ummm, I remember you mentioning that in a different thread a while ago.
I think there will always be a need which makes me sad.

[Mozz71]

I'm sure TL can confirm this, but didn't the church Harvest Festival proceeds used to go to the most needy? I remember at primary school in the Seventies, we used to have a massive collection of donated food each Harvest.

[ummmm]

My nan never knew her father, never even seen a picture of him, all she knew was that he was a master carpenter. She never knew if he died or abandoned them (her, and her twin brother, were the youngest of 9) Her mother, a lovely woman by all accounts, refused to talk about him.

Her mother worked as hard as she could but needed help.

Life is so different today. Back then they were all poor so there was no shame in needing help. Now we live in a peer pressured society which is so unfair for parents.

[albaqwerty]

it is ummm, I read a lovely plea from a teacher to the parents today to not tell them that their expensive toys came from Santa as maybe some of their class-mates could be left wondering why Santa didn't bring them the latest 'must have'