Monday, 8 December 2014

Foodbanks & Ironing

 
The need for Foodbanks is making headline news once again. 13 million people are below the poverty line. Someone has said that people are going hungry because they can't cook.  What b*ll*cks!  Families are hungry because they have no food to cook or sometimes no means to cook it with.  I don't want to start a huge discussion because so many people are able to make a better fist of it than me.  See Frugal Queen's blog for a wonderful but heart wrenching post, but it could happen that any one of us could lose their job tomorrow, or be widowed, or penniless for any number of reasons.  Every day I am grateful for having enough to eat, for being warm, for having warm clothing for a fast approaching winter, for living a fairly stress free life.  My parents were never wealthy either, we lived in a council house but were lucky to have never known true hunger.  Shortages, yes, but hunger, no.

I have a personal dilemma.....I donate to the local Foodbank every week but I don't know whether or not to volunteer to help.  I have some free time but my big fear is in encountering someone I know personally who is in need.  Would it be embarrassing to them as well as me? Would it put them off coming for help?  What should I do?  Does anyone else help out at a local Foodbank?

Reverse Advent Day #8



My gift for today was almost an hour and a half spent ironing for my daughter.

I popped over to see her and drop off some Christmas gifts which she will deliver for me to some friends of hers.  She was almost literally snowed under with washing and ironing.  She is struggling to work extra hours (impending redundancy creating the need to save, save, save) cook, clean & take care of the children too.  Ironing was the least I could do.  She would have done the same for me :)

Thanks so much for popping in x









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5 comments:

  1. Frugal in Derbyshire 8 December 2014 at 21:07

    Now THAT'S what I call a really useful gift.
    I know what you mean about meeting people you know. As a Social Worker I occasionally came across people I knew when visiting Day Centres, Food Banks, local courts etc. I would wait for them to see me and my response depended on their demeanor. Most people seemed happy and even pleased to tell everybody that they knew me. Those that averted their eyes or in any way demonstrated that they were embarrassed I would ensure that I didn't make too much eye contact and wait for them to talk to me . It is quite possible to interact pleasantly with people without having a personal conversation.
    I do hope you decide to offer your help, you sound like just the sort of practical helper they would value.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pensive Pensioner9 December 2014 at 09:29

      Thank you, Frugal, that seems like sound advice to me. It can be tricky meeting people in those kinds of circumstances and I have never worked in that kind of sector before. I am giving volunteering some serious thought.

      Delete
  2. Chickpea8 December 2014 at 21:26

    As Frugal in Derbyshire said when coming across people I know I let them make the first acknowledgement, we are also very clear on the confidentiality of our clients. I would hope Food Banks would be the same. If it is possible, perhaps you would be happier volunteering in a different town.

    I have a huge pile of ironing here if you are on a roll :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pensive Pensioner9 December 2014 at 09:42

      Thanks for your response, Chickpea. I had looked at a different area to volunteer in but the nearest is some distance away and, as we only have one car, I would feel guilty stranding DH at home. I could also travel by bus to our local one which would be handy if we get any snow (I hate driving in snow).

      Re the ironing, yesterday I picked out all the children's clothes to iron as they are smaller and quick to do. I left all Son in Law's until last as he's 6ft 4" and 16 stone. AND he's very fussy! I ran out of time to do the last 6 items ;)

      Delete
  3. Unknown10 December 2014 at 21:20

    Thanks for the mention, for reverse advent and for having a good heart xxx

    ReplyDelete

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