please advise me no judging please

rach_k

Do you have breakfast cereals? Any packets of open pasta or rice with a few spoons left? Small bit of hard cheese in the fridge? Butter/spread/jam?

Definitely speak to the food bank asap. I'd use some of the bread for the kids in the morning. Dry toast if you have to - cut it into smaller pieces and it'll be more fun even if it's not great to eat. Water down the milk a bit and give the kids some with the toast/bread.

Then if you can't see the food bank tomorrow, get some pasta and cheese sauce for your dinner if your oldest will eat it (toast again for lunch, or make a sandwich if you have anything for in it). Looking online, Lidl have 500g of penne for 29p and Morrisons has the same weight for 30p. The cheapest cheese sauce I could find is Morrisons - 40p for Morrisons Instant Cheese Sauce Mix, compared to Lidl's 65p for a branded one, so if you can only visit one shop go for Morrisons.

That should see you through the day.

tryingforabetterlife

hi if I could work I would im currently my sons full time carer due to his needs his dad however does work this situation has been caused by his job but yes if I could work I would

Helebore

I would actually ignore blackbeards reply. Load of tosh. People will work when they can, not always easy if you have children.
I would again go onto facebook if you are able and look up your local one, you may be able to speak to someone before it opens, am pretty sure you could where I live, they aren`t always open every day.

Well_Preserved

I know a bit about our local food bank, and they would definitely do all they could to help with your specific circumstances, esp the child with ASD. Ours does have a Facebook page so I guess it's possible for people to message them. It's not manned all the time though as volunteers on the whole.

Have you got access to Citizens Advice locally? If you need a loan, please contact someone like Christians Against Poverty to make sure you don't fall into the hands of someone who would fleece you for ridiculous interest rates.

If it's half term where you live, are there any opportunities for meals for at least one child? I know there are sometimes schemes run in school holidays and they can actually be for all family members. Sometimes in local churches?

Really hope you get some help quickly.

maman

Have the children worn the winter coats yet?

tryingforabetterlife

its not half term here until next week so youngest will be in school for lunch which is helpful oldest isn't attending school currently due to issues with his ehcp
youngest has worn his but oldest hasn't I was going to try and return that one but not sure where I would stand I bought them online so would have to figure out how long it would take to get refunded etc
ive emailed my local foodbank in the hope some one sees my message over the weekend but I no there open or at least will reply tomorrow

Prinzessilein

I would support the food-bank suggestions.

Also, look at local churches as suggested....they really helped me some years ago.

Our local library have a list of places that are designed to help people in cases like yours...it can happen to any of us!

You mention looking for a loan...PLEASE be very careful, there are some right sharks out there ….check with somewhere like CAP first!

purpleivy

You have had some good suggestions here for your immediate circumstances, but I feel you might benefit from reading about how to start and get some resources for your future. I read a blog written by someone who was once in difficult circumstances and she tells how you can build a storecupboard in order to prevent being in this situation again. Even if your son who is more difficult to please can't eat from the store cupboard, if the rest of the family can it will be a help.

D&DD who posted further up has a very interesting thread on here, her hub had intermittent income I believe, so she depended on her stocks that she had built up.

The blogger to which I refer is http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2011/12/bulk-buying-with-no-extra-money.html If you trawl back she has lots about her frugal life. She has a section on extreme frugality too.

Lacemaker

This situation is heart breaking.

You have received some very good advice, above, both regarding accessing a food bank, and once on your feet ( this will pass!), building up a reserve for a rainy day.

Further, I think your husband may need to try to re-evaluate his job situation if possible, is agency work his only option ? I don't quite understand the complexities of how the situation has arisen whereby a change in facility has led to a delay in pay, but I believe a reputable employer would have put a contingency in place to ensure the workforce was paid.

I wish there was a mechanism in place where someone could gift a food voucher , anonymously both ways, directly to a family in need , because I would without a second thought.
( And please, anyone who wants to say that this would be open to abuse, yes, of course it would, but it isn't about the person receiving, it is about me and my own conscience)

I really pray things will get better for you, chin up.

Saipan

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

You only need one advice. Update cv and walk.

I would be interested to know what you think the OP should do with her child, who has been assessed as having a recognised disability and is currently unable to attend school, while she 'walks'? Bearing in mind, of course, that her husband is at work?

OP, you have received some excellent advice from other posters, and I would suggest that you also contact the Welfare Rights section of your local Council - they can be very helpful, particularly where children are concerned, and will certainly be able to signpost you to other sources of help. In most areas they work hand in glove with the local CAB but can be easier to contact.

Good luck and please try not to worry - there is help out there for families who find themselves in this kind of situation through no fault of their own.