I went to our local Sainsburys Supermarket this afternoon, just for some top up items. I find that I don't need to do a big weekly shop now.
It broke my heart to see the almost empty Food Bank boxes. I asked one of the staff why there was so little food , but she assured me that there had been a collection that morning and the boxes had been full.
I used to make sure that if I shopped I dropped one item in the box. Now I feel the situation is so much graver, so put a larger collection in.
Truro Food Bank has been running since 2009, and is for emergency food supplies to people in need. It is a Christian organisation linked to the Trussell Trust, and relies on food and monetary donations from the public and other organisations. Last year in our area 2,220 people were fed with goods from the Food Bank, giving out boxes with three days supplies.
This is what the average box contains. Not only staples such as cereals, long life milk, tinned meats etc, but also
more personal items, toiletries, tissues. These are the things that get left off the shopping lists when trying to feed a family is more important.
One of our local Secondary schools has just managed to donate 488 kilos of food, raised from a 'non uniform' day. Isn't that brilliant?
There are so many reasons why families need this help. Some will have lost jobs. Some will have arrived from a war torn country. Some will just not be able to make a small wage go round as well as paying utility bills. Some will have lost a partner or be living alone.
I find it hard, and am so thankful for the things that I have.
16 comments:
I always wonder how families where the parents work and make minimum wages can manage. It must be so difficult.
Poverty is rampant in the city where I live so we try to help out where we can. It's such a sad situation and during Covid was made worse because for many children here in the U.S. their main meal is at school for breakfast and lunch. So when they all had to stay home it also caused a food crisis.
Most food banks will be happy to receive cash donations to purchase important items that aren’t donated. For those who are time poor and are able to donate, a monthly standing order to the food bank is very welcome and will help them budget.
Having said that, every little helps. I have been encouraged by slimming groups who held “amnesties” in January to donate chocolates and biscuits to local food banks - this removing temptation from the slimmers’ households.
I add a 'donate' voucher when I do an online shop. Our church collects for the local food bank on the first Sunday of the month as well.
At least once a month I purchase a couple of bags that my grocery gets ready and drop them in the Food Bank cart. I think more and more people are needing to take advantage of Food Banks.
God bless.
It's sad that so many people need to rely on food banks these days. The situation is the same here in N.Z. as well.
So many people rely on food banks these days. It seems to be a worldwide problem. Being generous if one can, is an important way to help.
Here the food banks are also in need. Many people who could afford to give to the food banks can’t afford doing it now with the rise of everything, bills and cost of life it is very worrying.
There is a story on BBC news website this morning about people getting clobbered with HUGE energy bills in error. One guy finally got his bill sorted, and money repaid, with £2500 compensation for the distress. He's a trustee of his local food bank, so passed it all onto them. How lovely!
We have a local food bank, some volunteers at our allotments take surplus produce to them. There is also one opposite the office where I work and our employers regularly donate funds. Our local M&S takes food off the shelves at closing time for the homeless too. There is so much going on quietly that we are unaware of largely unless we are in need ourselves. It's so good that these support networks exist.
This sounds like a wonderful organization. Food banks are essential and very helpful!
Barbara, it warms my heart to know that there is such an organization that is looking out for people who are in need. Life can be harsh and it is good to alleviate suffering when it is possible. Blessings to you for doing that . . .
It is such a great service to the community. Our DIL just took on a job at their church food bank that serves several families and others from church and the community. It's a wonderfully stocked operation and she is enjoying getting to know all the ins and outs of the operation. Lots of good planning and stocking of supplies...and it is a lot of work, too.
So sad that our country needs such a thing, Dh's daughter works for the charity Christians Against Poverty and she was telling us, the situation is dire where rents and bills have risen above some peoples wages. It must be awful not having enough money for food.
Similar goes on here as in larger cities there are so many who need food and shelter.
We give to our local food bank too. Times are so hard for so many people, they need help. Hope your day is happy and blessed.
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