Food Banks

[dave50]

Apparently even more people are using them now. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2605661/Almost-ONE-million-Britons-seek-food-bank-help-following-162-percent-jump-number-people-seeking-emergency-food-help.html
When something is free, demand will always outstrip supply. Are we saying that if these food banks disappeared, these people would starve to death?

[pixie373]

You do, jeza, but if prices double over the next few months, I'll still have four children to feed. We don't squander money in general, but it's hard to predict everything that might happen in future.

[Mamyalynne]

I must also add that I think it is abysmal that you have to pay for pads and creams etc...are they not available via prescription and free if Mic is above 60?

[Mamyalynne]

Sorry Dave for going off topic.

[pixie373]

Only for some people, mamya.

[Mamyalynne]

It is wrong then, very wrong.

[Jeza]

I agree with both Mamya and pixie, but when we needed help, none was there. I accept this was a long time ago so we had to stand on our own two feet and help ourselves. IMO people don't do that now they expect every thing on a plate.

[Mamyalynne]

We may have to agree to disagree then Jeza as Benefits for out of work people with absolutely nothing were available then , but well done to you for surviving as you did.

[Jeza]

Mic is 64 and believe me apart from the drugs he takes we have to pay for every thing.

[pixie373]

Looking back, I'm sure there were times i would have been entitled to benefits. No maternity pay whatsoever and we struggled- i had no idea.

[Jeza]

Pixie, when my lad was born 1971 you had to leave your job. No maternity pay, no job to go back to either. How times have changed.

[Svejk]

now, now. I said if people cant help themselves (through drink or drugs) wouldn't it be kinder to remove children from that environment.
which, I hope, puts a very different slant on your selective précis, mamya.
I'm not some kind of uncaring monster. I'd like to see a benefit system where the sick don't have to drag themselves to Atos, where the unemployed don't have to 'jump through hoops' to avoid sanctions. But, imo, the blame for these things lies at the door of people who abuse the system. Whereas some on here wont hear of such people existing and see any query about benefits as an attack on then poor.

[Jeza]

Should have mentioned you didn't get family allowance either for a first child.

[pixie373]

Ah. I did get child benefit, but that was it. 1995, but i just assumed we'd have to manage.

[Svejk]

///Yet again Svejk, you have become personally abusive///

evening Mr Kettle. lol.

[pixie373]

Svejk, there's such a huge difference between people genuinely needing some help and others committing fraud, they are different conversations really.

[New Judge]

“NJ, previously there were fewer food banks and then only in certain areas, also many were unaware they qualified for help - now more are in each area and there is better information about them too.””

So, mamyalynne, it’s essentially as Youngmafbog suggests - make something available for free and people will have it. If they suddenly opened up a free petrol station near me I’d be round there like a shot.

“None of these benefits or assistance are instant - what are you supposed to live on, fresh air?”

So one million people have gone onto benefits and had their payments delayed? I don’t think the numbers support that, sherrardk.

It won’t help me understand the numbers, Mikey, by just dishing out free food. Do you find out the circumstances that drive your customers to the foodbank? Do they fit in with anything I have suggested?

I think I’ll give up trying to resolve this conundrum.

[Svejk]

surely the 2 sides of that 'coin' have to be considered together. As I said, the one is having a very negative impact on the other.

[Svejk]

^exactly

[pixie373]

Yes, i agree, divebuddy- although i would class "layabouts" the same as fraudsters if they are fit and able to work, but choose not to. I think the frustration comes though with everyone being lumped in together, so those that are genuine are seen as lazy. From my experience with clients, those with disabilities are treated appallingly and i wonder how others manage to get away with it.