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If your family never used a foodbank and you haven’t as an adult, what was your picture of them when you were young? What about now?
When I was young, my family was poorish. Not foodbank poor, but hand-me-downs, old car, make-do, and vacations in a tent poor. We always had enough to eat. I figured ppl who used foodbanks must be absolutely destitute, homeless even.
Later we became firmly middle class. My father and I both worked with several groups dedicated to food security and food bank fundraising. My idea then was that it was primarily young families and the elderly who used food banks. But I only saw what we gave. I had no idea.
Trucks full of food. Thousands of dollars. On the occasions where I did work with a group delivering food we were bringing hampers full to select clients - like several weeks of good, healthy food and treats- the same groceries we ate at home.
I saw in food drives that people donated things like dented tins of sardines and half open packages of pasta, but I always assumed those where outliers, added to a basket full of good stuff.
And then, when I left my ex and was absolutely poor, supporting 3 kids on my meager 17K in freelance income, I became a foodbank client. The first time I screwed up the courage to go I tokd myself it was what I had to do for my kids. It would help.
I cried so much that day. First - food banks have waiting rooms. They are chockful of people who are hungry, scared, worried... but mostly hungry.
But what really made me cry was what I came home with. You see, I remembered deliverinh hampers with milk, eggs, fruit, meats.
But what really made me cry was what I came home with. You see, I remembered deliverinh hampers with milk, eggs, fruit, meats.
What I got was three bags with bread, tea, sugar, coffee creamer, juice, peanut butter and a random assortment of cupboard cleanings. Nothing to make a real meal, nothing for my kids’ lunches besides granola bars. Random packages of exactly the low quality food I *could* afford.
It was an incredibly scary and humiliating experience. And I had to go back each month for the same. You get what’s estimated to be 3 days worth of food for your family. But if you have picky eaters, allergies, or can’t afford the additional ingredients it’s not even that.
I don’t really have a “closing thought” just realising that a lot of people out there probably have no idea what being a foodbank client feels like. Like you don’t deserve good food because you’re poor; you should be grateful for whatever you get.
One closing thought though: do not EVER in my presence accuse people of “scamming” food banks. Why would they? It’s literally not worth it unless you’re starving and then it isn’t scamming.
And a final thought - I also don’t want to hear BS about churches. All those groups I worked with providing glorious hampers were through my church or interdenominational. You have no idea how much community support most churches provide - to anyone, not just their members.
