'They don't need me now': COVID impact forcing Britons to food banks

By Natalie Thomas 3 MIN READ

 

FILE PHOTO: Cereal is pictured at The DENS charity food bank, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Hemel Hempstead, Britain, March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Paul Childs

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British food banks are seeing more families needing their support as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic forces struggling people to seek help, charities and volunteers say.

 

Lockdowns and other measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus have forced businesses to close or lay off staff. The rise in those out of work has resulted in more people turning to food banks, which provide emergency food supplies to families in need.

 

“I was working part-time as a cleaner for evenings, and then when COVID started, we had to quit because everything was closed and our offices, they’re not opening until 2021 because people can work from home,” said Vilma Tunylaite, 40, queuing at a food bank in southwest London.

 

“And me, they don’t need me now.”

 

The latest official figures last month showed Britain’s unemployment rate had risen to 4.8%, with employers laying off a record number of staff in the third quarter.

 

The Bank of England has forecast the jobless rate would rise to nearly 8% by the middle of next year, despite the government extending an emergency jobs subsidy programme until the end of March.

 

The Trussell Trust, which runs more than 1,300 food bank centres across Britain, says it provided 1.2 million food parcels between April and September, with a huge rise in people needing its support for the first time.

 

It forecasts there will be a 61% increase in food parcels required across its network from October to December, the equivalent of six parcels given out every minute.

 

“If you look at what’s happened over the last seven months, the queues have got significantly longer, the nature of the guests who are queuing up ... it’s changed to families as well as those who were living on the streets,” said Alexander Shahid Khan, a banker who volunteers at a food bank in London.

 

“So you can definitely see that the effects of COVID has meant there’s a lot of people suffering from income and food poverty at the moment.”

 

A government spokeswoman said they had announced a 400 million pound support package to help those in need for the winter and beyond, including millions for food aid charities.

 

“The ideal would be for the government obviously to up everybody’s payment that they get every week to a reasonable amount where they don’t have to then seek help from food banks,” said Sahar Beg, chief executive of the Tooting Community Kitchen.

 

“I can’t make a difference there. The only thing I can do is being here to help where we can.”

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-12-04

 

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its likely the parents are hard drinking, smoking and covered in tattoos as shown on tv progs dealing with this poverty stricken class of people with starving kids at food banks .their UC cash is fritered away on non essential items

6 minutes ago, 3NUMBAS said:

its likely the parents are hard drinking, smoking and covered in tattoos as shown on tv progs dealing with this poverty stricken class of people with starving kids at food banks .their UC cash is fritered away on non essential items

Just in time for Christmas, Scrooge makes his appearance.

This depression hasn,t even started yet,millions are on " furlough " which is only delaying the inevitable,come spring the bloodbath of unemployment will really kick in.

36 minutes ago, 3NUMBAS said:

its likely the parents are hard drinking, smoking and covered in tattoos as shown on tv progs dealing with this poverty stricken class of people with starving kids at food banks .their UC cash is fritered away on non essential items

Yes and I bet they all got the latest smart phones

9 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

its likely the parents are hard drinking, smoking and covered in tattoos as shown on tv progs dealing with this poverty stricken class of people with starving kids at food banks .their UC cash is fritered away on non essential items

Your usual derogatory characterization of people you don’t know.

9 hours ago, kingdong said:

This depression hasn,t even started yet,millions are on " furlough " which is only delaying the inevitable,come spring the bloodbath of unemployment will really kick in.

I hope you’re wrong but fear you are right.

9 hours ago, kingdong said:

This depression hasn,t even started yet,millions are on " furlough " which is only delaying the inevitable,come spring the bloodbath of unemployment will really kick in.

Come spring hopefully the world will see the vaccine helping

9 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

its likely the parents are hard drinking, smoking and covered in tattoos as shown on tv progs dealing with this poverty stricken class of people with starving kids at food banks .their UC cash is fritered away on non essential items

you forgot overweight and gambling.
 

I am fairly confident none of these people will starve to death in the UK.
People in other countries are doing it much harder economically ironically because many in the UK and some other countries refused to wear a mask, socially distance etc which has resulted in this preventable out of control second wave and continues to destroy the worldwide economy.

Harping on about their “human rights”. They can’t see past their own nose. 

 

60,000+ in the UK are dead already though from the virus. I think that is a more important issue. 

 

 

 

 

Quote

“They don’t need me now.” said Vilma Tunylaite, 40, queuing at a food bank in southwest London.

I am not sure that a Lithuanian part-time cleaner is the best possible example of "COVID forcing Britons to food banks".

If you are willing to clean, the demand for that category of work has actually increased overall due to the vast amount of unnecessary activity that allows businesses and organisations to pretend that they "care" about their customers and workers and are "taking measures to protect them".

True, the office you worked at before Covid may no longer require your services, but you are living in London, there are plenty of other options.

On the other hand, free Weetabix! That's not something that happens back in Panevėžys.

 

Edited December 5, 20205 yr by Poet

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I hope you’re wrong but fear you are right.

On my first point so do i .

12 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

its likely the parents are hard drinking, smoking and covered in tattoos as shown on tv progs dealing with this poverty stricken class of people with starving kids at food banks .their UC cash is fritered away on non essential items

Why, where is your evidence for that crass statement?

12 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

its likely the parents are hard drinking, smoking and covered in tattoos as shown on tv progs dealing with this poverty stricken class of people with starving kids at food banks .their UC cash is fritered away on non essential items

I have seen a few complaining on uk tv about shortage of money to feed the kids, smoking ( £12 a pack of 20 ) and an expensive phone in hand, outside the pub. So yes you are correct in what you say, but I would say they are not the only ones having a hard time at the moment.

13 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

its likely the parents are hard drinking, smoking and covered in tattoos as shown on tv progs dealing with this poverty stricken class of people with starving kids at food banks .their UC cash is fritered away on non essential items

We all like to have our prejudices confirmed, don't we?

Many people were relying on foodbanks even before Covid arrived, including working people who are struggling. Not really any point trying to discuss with the boozing-and-smoking-it-all-away crowd. A lot of football supporters groups are now running foodbanks because of the hardship in their local areas. As said though, this was going on long before Covid. On Merseyside for example, blues and reds have been together on this for several years with strong support from both football clubs as well, and they've helped many other supporters groups launch their own initiatives.

https://twitter.com/SFoodbanks

https://www.facebook.com/FansSupportingFooddbanks

15 minutes ago, KhaoNiaw said:

Many people were relying on foodbanks even before Covid arrived, including working people who are struggling. Not really any point trying to discuss with the boozing-and-smoking-it-all-away crowd. A lot of football supporters groups are now running foodbanks because of the hardship in their local areas. As said though, this was going on long before Covid. On Merseyside for example, blues and reds have been together on this for several years with strong support from both football clubs as well, and they've helped many other supporters groups launch their own initiatives.

https://twitter.com/SFoodbanks

https://www.facebook.com/FansSupportingFooddbanks

All good and true. However there are those, others have posted about, who are complete wasters and have no interest in actually cooking a real meal for their kids instead of complaining that their handouts from the government aren't enough to cover the cost of home delivery  junk food every night and lunchtime to feed the kids. No thought that the handout isn't really meant to cover drinks in the pub etc.

Always two sides to a coin.

IMO the next elections will see the dispossessed taking revenge against politicians.

Sadly I have to wait nearly 3 years.

4 minutes ago, overherebc said:

All good and true. However there are those, others have posted about, who are complete wasters and have no interest in actually cooking a real meal for their kids instead of complaining that their handouts from the government aren't enough to cover the cost of home delivery  junk food every night and lunchtime to feed the kids. No thought that the handout isn't really meant to cover drinks in the pub etc.

Always two sides to a coin.

Fine. Interesting response to people who are doing something about real need in their communities.

4 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Your usual derogatory characterization of people you don’t know.

Be happy that he's not your friend. Can't look into a mirror. 

14 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

its likely the parents are hard drinking, smoking and covered in tattoos as shown on tv progs dealing with this poverty stricken class of people with starving kids at food banks .their UC cash is fritered away on non essential items

Can’t wait to see the evidence to back up that. In the absence of it we’ll just assume it was written by a spiteful, mean spirited, elderly grump. 
 

Is it any wonder this site has the reputation it has. 

4 minutes ago, Bruntoid said:

Can’t wait to see the evidence to back up that. In the absence of it we’ll just assume it was written by a spiteful, mean spirited, elderly grump. 
 

Is it any wonder this site has the reputation it has. 

What reputation has this site got, where is your info from...?

27 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO the next elections will see the dispossessed taking revenge against politicians.

Sadly I have to wait nearly 3 years.

Let’s be more specific.

 

Perhaps the electorate will hold the party in power to account.

 

 

3 minutes ago, transam said:

What reputation has this site got, where is your info from...?

Er from reading the unchecked negativity, from talking to others, from the avalanche of daily anti Thai sentiment, the constant bellyaching from entitled westerners trying to live on next to nothing and complaining they’re not made to feel welcome and how the whole system is picking on the poor dears, etc etc

 

If you need more .....

1 minute ago, Bruntoid said:

Er from reading the unchecked negativity, from talking to others, from the avalanche of daily anti Thai sentiment, the constant bellyaching from entitled westerners trying to live on next to nothing and complaining they’re not made to feel welcome and how the whole system is picking on the poor dears, etc etc

 

If you need more .....

You're being such a Grouse today, chill out......????

1 hour ago, Bruntoid said:

Er from reading the unchecked negativity, from talking to others, from the avalanche of daily anti Thai sentiment, the constant bellyaching from entitled westerners trying to live on next to nothing and complaining they’re not made to feel welcome and how the whole system is picking on the poor dears, etc etc

 

If you need more .....

Funny post.

It must be terrible having to discuss something with another who doesn't fully agree with your views.

Lots of people got off their I am Not entitled backsides and did something useful for themselves and others. Lots of others remained sitting on their fat I AM entitled backsides and complained their free handouts were not enough.

Signed

An old but not too grumpy non barstool sitting, well maybe once a month for a couple of beers, happy in retirement ( with all his hair ) expat. ????????

4 hours ago, overherebc said:

Funny post.

It must be terrible having to discuss something with another who doesn't fully agree with your views.

Lots of people got off their I am Not entitled backsides and did something useful for themselves and others. Lots of others remained sitting on their fat I AM entitled backsides and complained their free handouts were not enough.

Signed

An old but not too grumpy non barstool sitting, well maybe once a month for a couple of beers, happy in retirement ( with all his hair ) expat. ????????

If you want to talk about entitlement, let’s by all means do so, but let’s talk about all those who are ‘entitled’ including the wealthy, people who get access to opportunity on the basis of the school they attended, their name or their title.

 

Or are you only interested in pointing a finger at the poor?

The UK seems to have serious issues. Let's go to Thailand, mate. 

4 hours ago, overherebc said:

Funny post.

It must be terrible having to discuss something with another who doesn't fully agree with your views.

Lots of people got off their I am Not entitled backsides and did something useful for themselves and others. Lots of others remained sitting on their fat I AM entitled backsides and complained their free handouts were not enough.

Signed

An old but not too grumpy non barstool sitting, well maybe once a month for a couple of beers, happy in retirement ( with all his hair ) expat. ????????

 You mean a new wig, don't you? 

6 hours ago, transam said:

What reputation has this site got, where is your info from...?

It's true, mate. I've read it on TVF..............555555555555555555555555555555555

29 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

If you want to talk about entitlement, let’s by all means do so, but let’s talk about all those who are ‘entitled’ including the wealthy, people who get access to opportunity on the basis of the school they attended, their name or their title.

 

Or are you only interested in pointing a finger at the poor?

You have a wonderful habit of taking one word from a post and going off in a completly different way.

????????????