Food-banks Options

[Petra]

Here is a teaser for you all to answer. Are food banks necessary or just an instrument of abuse? And are people really suffering or just bad at managing their money? Or just very clever?
Food banks are now everywhere, which means that people who are short of money can redirect what they have got (to smart phones, satellite TV etc.) and away from the essentials (such as food) because food-banks supplies that need.

It will be interesting to see how people will come back on this one.

Yours,

Petra

[Mr Brown]

You'll always get people who manipulate the system. For instance I've known a good few 'honest and upright' who'll fatten an insurance claim with no qualms whatsoever - again, because it's so easy. That doesn't mean insurance is wrong because it discourages prudence!

[GMR]

You'll always get people who manipulate the system. For instance I've known a good few 'honest and upright' who'll fatten an insurance claim with no qualms whatsoever - again, because it's so easy. That doesn't mean insurance is wrong because it discourages prudence!

That maybe the case; but the question is do we need food banks or do we need to educate people on how to use the money they get.

[Andy Capp]

That maybe the case; but the question is do we need food banks or do we need to educate people on how to use the money they get.

We will 'need' both.

[GMR]

We will 'need' both.

No; because one will cancel out the other. From talking to people who use them and don't use them it boils down to ability to handle money.

[Andy Capp]

No; because one will cancel out the other. From talking to people who use them and don't use them it boils down to ability to handle money.

I refer you to my last comment.

[GMR]

I refer you to my last comment.

And I refer you to my last comment.

[Andy Capp]

That is true; but that could be down to one person takes on more than another. By giving that person - who can't handle money - help with food disadvantages the ones that are thrifty. It isn't actually helping that person who needs help. Education is better than just giving willy-nilly.

No-one suggests giving willy-nilly, but how does someone who can't handle money being given a dozens free tins of of blue stripe baked beans disadvantage the prudent one?

And I refer you to my last comment.

Your contrived scenarios doesn't cover all eventualities. Of course some people need help with money management, but I also believe there are genuine people in need too. Two people on the same income doesn't guarantee that both have the same outgoings.

[GMR]

No-one suggests giving willy-nilly, but how does someone who can't handle money being given a dozens free tins of of blue stripe baked beans disadvantage the prudent one?

Of course it does. You are giving extra to the bad handler of money and nothing to the prudent one. The prudent one will quickly learn to play the game though. But in the long run does that achieve anything? As for a dozen free tins of beans; that isn't the issue here.

Your contrived scenarios doesn't cover all eventualities. Of course some people need help with money management, but I also believe there are genuine people in need too. Two people on the same income doesn't guarantee that both have the same outgoings.

I am not saying they aren't genuine. But genuine why? Genuine because they can't handle their money so need help with food banks?