Preparedness for when

mardatha

If anybody tries to get me into a church for my funeral then I'll get up and walk out. And then haunt them!

nuatha

charlies-aunt wrote: »

I can refer clients to our local food bank through the housing association that I work for and a couple of the local Community Advice Associations also have a secret stash of vouchers


I am not really happy that the food bank, which is run by the Baptist Church insist that anyone accessing the food bank joins with them to pray before they are given anything :mad: Talk about having to sing for your supper!

I'm another who can refer people to our local foodbank - I have no connection to government agencies, I do some work with homeless people.
I really wouldn't be happy with your Baptist church (there again they probably wouldn't be happy working with me - Exodus 22:18). My local foodbank is run by a church, with an interfaith group organising a lot of the support. Due to the (hopefully) temporary closure of the church hall (leaking roof) the storage and sorting point is in a mosque.

daz378

on balance i still think there is a need for foodbanks.....as its so easy to be sanctioned.......cases of malnutrition have doubled in the last 5 years.......http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/malnutrition-cases-in-english-hospitals-almost-double-in-five-years-8945631.html

Softstuff

Foodbanks are a strange thing over here. Accessible to certain people, but sometimes not related to their income level (seniors for example). This means you can be living in a retirement village in a villa costing half a million dollars and visit a food bank. And indeed some do (whilst saving for their next cruise).

I find it hard sometimes to have sympathy for those who have insufficient funds for food, but seem to have funds for many other things that aren't essential. I recall talking to one lady, back when I was volunteering, she was talking about having been to the foodbank and how times were tough. She said she needed new shoes, I told her how I'd picked up some lovely ones from one of the charity shops. She said she'd never buy shoes second hand....

I realise there are many people in need, but think that a little financial education (on wants, needs, ways to save money, ways to cook on a budget) goes a very long way. Frugalqueen on her blog talks about doing that herself, it's very admirable in my opinion.

Doveling, I have to disagree with what you say about paying mothers and fathers to parent. I think having children is a choice and a privilege, not an entitlement and that there are ways to raise a child on one wage (even a small one) if sacrifices are made.

As for Black Friday scrummage, didn't see any here, but then I didn't go looking. Mostly though it's like you say MrsLW, you get far better service and friendly customers in your average charity shop.

moneyistooshorttomention

You found the words I couldn't find Softstuff (ie "choice and privilege" to have children):T

Hope you are recovering well from The Op. btw?? and I'm downright sure you will be heaving huge sighs of relief about that particular thing being "done/dusted and all risk cast-iron guaranteed gone:D:beer:". I hope champagne was consumed....

I don't know what the answer is to ensure that its only people who genuinely need access to foodbanks that get it. That's the problem with anything, as in there are always greedyguts type people who will ask for something/anything just because they can and not because they actually need it/are really entitled to it.

How you go about dealing with that goodness knows. I guess the whole point of having different agencies refer people to them is precisely in order to differentiate between "genuine need" and "greedyguts people", but I do know that some volunteers in anything are such genuinely nice/honest people themselves that they wouldn't dream of asking for something they don't really need/are entitled to (eg Nuatha's turning up in a brand new BMW person he mentions) and therefore believe whatever they are told. On the other hand, there will be volunteers with vouchers who can work out "who is who", but some of the tryers-on in life can be pretty "hard" type people with an air of underlying menace about them and it might feel scarey to nice/well-meaning volunteers to try and deny people like that something they are so intent on getting (even though its not rightfully theirs iyswim).

Very difficult for these agencies to have people who are both perceptive enough to be able to work out whats what and "who's who" on the one hand and strong/firm enough characters to refuse vouchers to the "new BMW at the foodbank" type people or those who've literally sent all their money up the spout on drink or drugs.

I think I've almost persuaded myself I ought to be one of those volunteers then...as I won't give way to lies and "hard" attitudes. But our local foodbank is one of those church-based ones and not a "church" I could feel comfortable working with personally....

Anyways...SoftStuff...do tell us how you are feeling personally after said Op??:)

moneyistooshorttomention

...and on topics re health.

I didn't know that::eek:

http://action.sumofus.org/a/weapons-NHS/?sub=tw

so just when and where did that get reported in the newspapers then?:cool:

[Deleted User]

As if I would IVYLEAF there is a vast gulf between you needing an aid because of your arthritis and some idiot 'needing' the latest 54" TV or G69 smart phone because it's available on Black Friday!!! I don't specifically collect willow pattern but I do love blue and white china and have collected a mismatched and motley service of blue and white of any pattern I find (if the price is right) as I love to see it on the table, all more or less the same blue but so pretty with all the different patterns on. It's really the cheapest way to get something nice to have for special meals without spending a fortune. I think the most I've paid was £4.99p for 5 dinner plates from a charity shop most other things are a couple of pounds or thereabouts and if I do break something, well it's just a case of waiting for another one to appear.

I do think that food banks are a necessary evil, I wish there was no need for them and also that people didn't abuse them but I would much rather know that they are in existence for those people who have genuine need of help and know they will be fed rather than go hungry along with all the other problems life throws at them.

Mojoworking

I just think wages should be enough that you can still have your own home and not both have to work. I feel ive had to sacrifice having more kids (have 1dd) as we struggled so much with full time child care costs in her first five years and we aren't big earners but come in just over criteria. My dad could afford his mortgage bills etc so mum stayed home raised kids. There was the sense of community we all crave. Nothing open on Sunday meant we had to spend time together (whether we wanted to or not)

Now I wonder if we shouldve not gone down the home owner route as I work in the charity sector now and each year I get notice (no redundancy) and might or might not have a job the following year. It's worrying but there aren't many jobs about with security or benefits of full pay when sick anymore.

Also lots of oh family were horrible to me that I put dd into child care as they all stayed at home. But they are on benefits and there homes are safe. They did offer to help me for £100 a week which was about £50 less a week than nursery but I just thought there was more flexibility and consistency with nursery. But I am looked upon as a bad mother. I did miss lots that I won't get back. I don't know what the answer is.

Mojoworking

I was also quite cynical of the breakfast tv meal appeal. Rather than give a bag of food could these uber rich not give cold hard cash. We are bombarded on ways we can help a little bit more . . . . Why don't they do as much as they can with their considerable resources.

Then as we get restless and realise things aren't fair and notice inequalities our masters step forward and point that it is the welfare state and immigration that are sucking the money out of everything. Of course it is - not the cult of celebrity and wanting it all. Its the old and disabled we need to sort out.

The way you treat the weakest in society is a true reflection on things and I personally think things are scary indeed. Back to lurkdom just venting x x x

Softstuff

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Anyways...SoftStuff...do tell us how you are feeling personally after said Op??:)

Well, I must be improving because I'm feeling p'd off with my progress :rotfl: For some reason I am unable to run a marathon yet, which I'm finding a touch irritating. There's a bit of pain, a bit of extra lard on my bum (from sitting around too much) and 1 scar isn't entirely healed yet, but for 2 1/2 weeks after all is as good as it could be I think, thanks for asking. I go back for a double checking with the surgeon on Wednesday, when he'll also show me some camera phone pics I think :eek: