Financial troubles are not just felt when trying to buy something big; they can be felt in the smaller, everyday instances. Have you noticed your grocery hauls getting shorter as the month progresses? Do you skip meals often to save money and pass it off as a “diet”?
The cost-of-living crisis has made it difficult to afford necessities, like one square meal a day. Inflation has made staples like bread and eggs more expensive than they were a few years ago, making many British households cut corners.
Some months can be especially worse than others, with unexpected expenses and emergencies. In such situations, you find yourself worrying about “how do I provide for my family?”
This is when you might consider emergency borrowing. Many apply for a £500 loan from an FCA-authorised lender like Salad. Payday loans, when paid back on time, can be a great economic tool to tide over financial challenges without being debt-trapped.
However, if you are sceptical about borrowing money but are still struggling to make ends meet, here are some options to consider.
Understand What’s Available Near You
The first step is to find the resources in your area. Every organisation that provides help with food or groceries will not label itself as a food bank. You should check your local church or community centre. Some churches or community centres provide cooked meals or food parcels outright without any registration or process.
If that’s not an option, consider organisations like the Trussell Trust, a charity that operates more than 2,500 food banks across the UK. You may also find independent food banks, which are often listed on your local council’s website or through community Facebook groups.
In addition, you can check with your local GP, housing officer, or even your child’s school to see if you’re eligible for food bank vouchers. The benefit of finding local support is that if the wider community is facing similar challenges, you’re more likely to receive personalised help that can make a meaningful difference.
How to Approach a Food Bank for the First Time
If you’ve never visited a food bank before, it can feel overwhelming to try asking for aid. Sadly, it’s not as simple as walking in and receiving the assistance you need. There is a process you need to follow, and we’ll guide you through it. A good place to start is by checking the food bank’s website or speaking directly with someone at a local branch.
You may be asked to provide a referral voucher and take part in a short interview to explain your situation. To get a referral, you can connect with organisations like Citizens Advice, a charity offering free legal and financial guidance. For the interview, it helps to be prepared with some information about your current financial circumstances and how the support would benefit you.
What You Might Be Asked and What to Bring
Food banks are not concerned with your income or financial history, but rather provide assistance to those who may not have enough resources. Some food banks may ask about the number of people in your family and any allergies.
While smaller, community-run food banks rely on self-referrals, some food banks, which are part of a larger organisation, may require referrals from doctors, childcare facilities, and local schools.
If you have no car to carry the food home or no means to reheat the food, we recommend you be honest about it. It’s understandable to feel nervous about sharing personal details. However, the more information the food bank has about you, the more it can help you.
Managing the Emotional Side of Asking for Help
We understand how emotionally draining it can be to ask for help when you’re in a tough situation. You’re opening up to strangers about your problems and issues. However, these are systemic challenges, and just because you need help today doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re willing to do whatever it takes to get out of the situation.
It’s also a good idea to tell yourself that because you’ve accepted help today, it might one day allow you to help someone else. If you still feel unsure, you could take a loved one with you to go through the entire food bank process. Having someone to help you through the process may help make it less overwhelming.
A Note of Reassurance
Food insecurity is something that people must overcome. You may need the help of food banks temporarily until you get everything sorted. Needing help now doesn’t mean you’ll always be in this position.
Instead of visiting a food bank, you could choose to borrow. However, even borrowing comes with its cons, and you need to evaluate both systems completely before deciding how to solve the current problem.
Whatever you choose, it’s important to understand that you’re doing the best you can in your situation, and that’s all you need to do.
