We've decided not to go to the food bank this summer.
@Masihi (4413)
Canada
July 21, 2011 8:47pm CST
Life is too easy here in the Western Hemisphere. We've got everything at our fingertips - water, abundance of food, clothing, shelter, convenience, credit, internet, cleanliness, healthcare, generous welfare, and even free BlackBerries and iPhones!
Then we're watching the news about the famine in Somalia area, people and children - babies!!! - are dying from malnutrition and the elements. It's dreadful!!! And here we are, having access to credit, can purchase food when needed!!! What a spoiled people we've become!
Nope, we can't go the food bank. Sorry, neither Hubby or I feel like going. We can take care of ourselves. Initially we planned on going this July and August, but now that we won't have a vehicle until the fall, we can easily purchase food. (Oh, right, the people in Somalia had to walk (and they died walking, too) for aid of food and water at a refugee camp, they didn't have the use of vehicles.
We should be grateful for what we got. We should downsize and live only within our means, get rid of debts, and reach out to others in need. That's what we're going to do once we become debt-free.
1 person likes this
11 responses
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
22 Jul 11
I know that things are easier now than ever for people, and I also know I am going to need to tighten my belt. So far we have never been to the food bank, we just have to eat economically. It is good that you and your husband are in agreement on this.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
22 Jul 11
We went without food when I was a child, and I tend to be very frugal, as well as stocking up when I can.
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
22 Jul 11
Yes if you can afford to do some of the things on your own I think it is a good idea to do so on your own. Here in the US we do not have free healthcare and talks in government is that soon they will be forcing us to pay a yearly fine if we do not buy some form of insurance. I use to pay $539 for insurance for me on a monthly basis and now that I can no longer pay for it, why would I be penalized. If I could afford health insurance I would have gladly done so, so in the interim I have been without health insurance for over a year. *sad*
I agree that if some can't afford they should get/buy their own and and allow those in need to be able to get the help needed.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
Well, we would definitely be setting back our debt payments big time for the summer, and even accumulate more debt due to food and gas, but as I said, people in Somalia don't have access to credit cards, and we do.... 
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
22 Jul 11
Yes I agree with you as far as those less fortunate then us. I personally do not get any form of help from our government here even though I know that I qualify.
I have had absolutely no income now for a year in a half and although I could easily go and get public assistance I do not as I really do feel there are many more yet in worse situations then me. I personally do not want to simply because I would like to continue to do what I can on my own. I have never even gone to a food bank and would prefer those that absolutely can't afford to buy food have the access to it.
2 people like this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
I applaud you, you're a very strong woman because of it, and I deeply admire you for that. I know that this kind of assistance isn't going to be around forever, and sadly, there's so many people who abuse the system thus making it harder on those of us who genuinely need it.
Hubby and I also want to get off the system, but we definitely cannot do it as long as we have our debts, but in about 6 more years' time we should be able to do something about it. I'd also like to be able to pay for my children's medication and eye drops myself (as crazy as this sounds! LOL) but ya, it'll give me independence and a sense of satisfaction, you know?
1 person likes this
@cocooreo (705)
• Malaysia
22 Jul 11
Your topic is interesting. I have never heard about food bank. How does it works? From what I can understand, could it be something provided by your government that give free food to the citizen? Is it available to everybody in your country? Any criteria to be qualified for this? By the way, which country are you in?
2 people like this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
It's not from the government, it's from charities that work closely with the government in some cases, or they work independently in other countries. Usually it's an organisation that has many local area branches that reach out to needy communities.
@marguicha (223720)
• Chile
22 Jul 11
I think that is awesome! Does that work in all Canada, or just in a few places? I have a canadian friend who receives money from the government due to his being extremelly bipolar. He is not capable of holding a job for over a few days. I wonder if he could get that.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
Well, here in Nova Scotia, we have an organisation called Feed Nova Scotia, and different people and businesses donate money and non-perishable food items, and they're distributed at various locations around the province for those of us who are on welfare or working poor. It's very well-organised.
Each province runs its food bank programs differently, though, but most the time we can go once a month if need be.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
26 Jul 11
Yes, he would have to contact his social worker as welfare workers have lists of food bank contacts. That's what I did in the beginning of July, was ask him for the phone number, and now I plugged it into my BlackBerry, but I won't be going to it. It is available in all provinces, I think.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Jul 11
That is so good of you guys to realise this. We in the Western world generally have pretty much all we need on tap at any time. Some of us are not so fortunate, but most of us are. We have food and shelter, access to medical supplies and clean water all there for us! 
We should not be taking these for granted and be more grateful for what we have. I look around me and I see so much stuff that I really do not need in order to survive comfortably. So many people in our societies have all this stuff compared to poorer countries, but then you look at which people look happier. The poverty stricken people living in basic shelters usually look happy. Yet those wealthy western people with all the stuff, are fighting depression at an alarming rate! 
Logically, it makes no sense! But what it comes down to is that most people in our world have moved away from a self sufficient lifestyle and are not spending enough time doing basic chores in nature with loved ones. They are away from family, working for people they do not like, doing things they do not like doing! It is a crazy world! 
We should not be taking these for granted and be more grateful for what we have. I look around me and I see so much stuff that I really do not need in order to survive comfortably. So many people in our societies have all this stuff compared to poorer countries, but then you look at which people look happier. The poverty stricken people living in basic shelters usually look happy. Yet those wealthy western people with all the stuff, are fighting depression at an alarming rate!
Logically, it makes no sense! But what it comes down to is that most people in our world have moved away from a self sufficient lifestyle and are not spending enough time doing basic chores in nature with loved ones. They are away from family, working for people they do not like, doing things they do not like doing! It is a crazy world! 2 people like this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
23 Jul 11
That is a bit sad. I am sorry to hear that. I am not all that close to my family. We get along OK, but as we moved away, we do not see them or even communicate with them very often. When we do, it is usually just our direct family - parents, siblings and never aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins etc. I wish my kids had that interaction more, but there is no way that I am moving back to where I came from!
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
23 Jul 11
Yes, you are so right, I wish we are more community-like in this society, but nowadays families don't even stick together. In fact, I'm disowned by my biological family, with only one aunt calling me once in a while. Pretty sad, eh?
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
22 Jul 11
It's an eye-opener, right? When the economy of the US and other wealthy nations dipped, a lot of citizens had to really adjust their lifestyle and a lot of people got depressed over it. And, like they say, you could only appreciate what you have when you lose it. These things that other people take for granted are worth millions to other people else where. I remember reading a yahoo article saying how to live on US$1 per person in one day. In our country, it is common to see that $1 is what an entire family of 6-8 has to live on for the day. There was a time, I read about one person complaining she had to cut cable, move to a smaller house, etc. and felt she was very poor. I wanted to reply on the forum that some people here don't even have TV or a house!
You're right here - We should be grateful for what we got. We should downsize and live only within our means, get rid of debts, and reach out to others in need. I hope to do that myself as I have accumulated so much debt it's taking me years to pay off.
2 people like this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
Here in Canada wireless carriers offer some free phones for free or at a very discounted price with a 3-year contract, I got a Blackberry flip pearl for free when I signed up for Rogers Wireless for 3 years (contract is up this coming April).
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
22 Jul 11
Free Blackerries and Iphones. Seriously? 
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
22 Jul 11
oh definitely. hubby and i stopped using credit long ago and are slowly paying them down. we do not use food banks but are careful what we eat. we plan meals, visit the library (free!) and do things that dont cost money. we dont shop unless we have to. we shop at thrift stores (reuse,recycle). i make a lot of gifts we give.
we are so lucky here in north america but it seems that people always want more. you are right, we just dont know how good we have it.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
23 Jul 11
Ya, we're trying to stay away from them ourselves, and I'm hoping to put as much money as possible on my debt as quickly as possible because I want to provide our kids (when they become teenagers) a decent allowance. Planning meals is a good idea, I think I'll sit down with a meal plan with my husband, since he buys the groceries.
@shaggin (72184)
• United States
22 Jul 11
When my husband was living with us we got food stamps about $300 and some per month. We would go through that in about 2 or 3 weeks and have to pay for the rest of the food. So I would go to the food bank and get food. Now that it is just my kids and I and living on survivors benefits from social security we get $500 a month in food stamps so I do not need to go to the food bank and get food. The $500 is plenty for the three of us without needing to go to the food bank. I am thankful I was born in the united states where there is so much help for people. I feel so sad for the people in other countries who dont have the help that we have.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
23 Jul 11
That is wonderful news, for sure, for your family. Ya, people over in africa are dying on their journy to get food. There's really no need of this foolishness, the people who are fighting should stop fighting so that war won't disrupt the food distribution for families.
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
26 Jul 11
It is tragic, what they are going through, and here we are spoiled and usually wanting more. We at times tend to take things for granted instead of being greatful of what we have and what other people in the world wish we had and probably will never have. I totally agree, me and my hubby having been trying to downsize, trying to get rid of debt, buy only what is necessary. I personally want to be debt free.
@AngelHope2011 (199)
• United States
23 Jul 11
I can understand why you're not going to the Food Bank this year. When we donate food and money to these non-profit organizations, we don't really know for sure if what we're giving is really going to those in need or not. I remember reading about the Ethiopian famine crisis of the 80s and even though many American and some Canadian celebrities collaborated and raised money through the USA For Africa fund, a lot of that money and food in some cases went to the Ethiopian government and not the people. It's the same with the Live Aid thing when many celebrities came out and played their songs to raise benefits for hunger in Africa. It's a shame though that many Africans have to sometimes walk to their deaths just to get food.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
23 Jul 11
That is just so greedy!!! I've seen that happen before, in smaller scales it's not right at all. I'll only feel guilty sitting in the food bank room, and I have credit available on my credit card, so why not pay for my own groceries when I can pay off the credit in September when my husband goes back to work? eh? That's probably what lots of middle-class people do. Most people abuse the food bank system here. Sad, really.
