{"id":11555,"date":"2017-06-08T14:00:33","date_gmt":"2017-06-08T13:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=11555"},"modified":"2017-06-08T12:14:38","modified_gmt":"2017-06-08T11:14:38","slug":"more-than-a-foodbank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=11555","title":{"rendered":"More Than A Foodbank"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With the country in turmoil, where members of the government t publicly announce their delight at the epidemic of foodbank support nationwide, ( Cheryl Murray ) we caught up with the project co ordinator, let’s call her Tara, because thats her name, at the Glasgow North East foodbank to talk about how her foodbank is making a difference in that area of the city. <\/span><\/p>\n

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We wanted to get a real feel of exactly how a foodbank works on a day to day basis. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Its not quite what the papers say…in fact, its nothing like what they would lead us to believe..<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The foodbank deals with reality, a harsh reality for some, and remains completely unjudgemental. after all, there but for the grace of god. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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It offers sanctuary, and that wee bit of help needed to get clients back on their feet. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Acknowledging the real reasons visitors come on a daily basis, where they often queue outside, there is no finger pointing or blame. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>And there is a genuine desire to help. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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It takes a lot to decide to use a foodbank, an amount of courage that is beyond the imagination of most of us, and when they get there, it is essential that a client is not made to feel any worse. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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They are met by people who want to help. And help they do, in more ways than just giving food… <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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It may be an empathetic ear is required, perhaps a bit of advice on welfare rights, or something as basic as a haircut. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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All of these combine to make the client feel that little bit better about things. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Reminding them that someone does care, and the imprtance of this cannot be underestimated. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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One could argue that it shouldn’t be down to a charity to provide this kind of help. but in the real world, someone has to, and so the foodbank is there. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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There’s no pretence that the staff-mostly volunteers-are trained social workers, but their experience stands them in good stead to deal with each individual at a very high standard, which in turn makes the client feel more comfortable about their situation. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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There’s no immediate solution to all their problems on hand, but the foodbank has been known to help out with the important things that do make a difference, such as <\/span><\/span>furniture, clothes, baby items and toiletries.\u00a0-all essentials, and all beyond the immediate reach of clients<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0There is a plan to help with sanitary products as the foodbank continues to widen its range of products-almost like a shop, in one sense. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Except these are all essentials, and all beyond the immediate reach of customers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Things that solve those problems, that can allow a client to draw breath and remove , to an extent, the stress that comes hand in hand with their situation, which can allow them the chance to begin to rebuild. <\/span><\/p>\n

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What kind of people use foodbanks ?<\/p>\n

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When we finally managed to get a word in, Tara explained to us that…\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

There is no ‘stereotypical foodbank user.’ <\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0 As someone who has accessed a foodbank on a few occasions due to sanctions\/xmas struggles, it’s offensive to assume that would then automatically mean I had addiction issues or spent money on sky tv & designer clothing. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Mums, dad’s, teens, grans, young people, veterans. All experiencing hardship.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0 We have seen it all in the foodbank. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Visitors who become Volunteers and vice Versa.<\/em><\/p>\n

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We will continue to do what we can to help ease the burden food poverty so many are facing across the north east of Glasgow. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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And continue they do…<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

They’re setting up a listening service, with the Samaritans on board. Many clients have confessed to dark thoughts of self harm, and this will again offer a little bit of help to overcome them.<\/p>\n

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a recent community dinner was held to help raise awareness of the elderly who live in isolation, and they are going to start a course to help empower women, which again shows the diversity of service provided at what is modestly called a “foodbank “<\/p>\n

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It’s much more than that.<\/p>\n

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Theres a website..<\/div>\n

Glasgow NE foodbank<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u00a0or you can follow on twitter @GlasgowNE\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Or you can just help out, how, when and where you can.<\/div>\n
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