I’m not on benefits but help myself to donated food – people moan I’m nicking from the poor, but it saves me cash
THE cost-of-living crisis means more and more families have hit hard times.
Sadly many have been forced to turn to food banks and community fridges, where local residents and businesses share and access local food and donations, in order to survive.
Including employed mum-of-three Catherine Lofthouse, 43, from Loughborough, Leics. – who DOESN’T need to.
As a freelance writer she doesn’t know her exact salary, as it fluctuates, but admitted she was not on the breadline and was not on benefits.
But she controversially said she liked getting “freebie” food.
“I send my kids to school with freebie packed lunches – people think I’m pinching food from families in need, but here’s why they’re wrong,” she says.
I’ve even had people complaining that I’m taking food off others who need it more
Catherine
Now she tells her story to Fabulous – and it’s bound to cause controversy:
When my boys aged four, nine and 11 open their lunchboxes at school every day, they never know what they might find in there.
That’s because, instead of heading to the supermarket with a list like other mums, I often just pop along to my local community fridge to see what they are giving away for free.
Then I use whatever I’ve been given to make packed lunches for school and save myself a fortune on feeding the kids.
I think there’s this idea that giving away free food must only be for families in low incomes who are struggling with the cost of living. I’ve even had people complaining that I’m taking food off others who need it more.
But in my town in Leicestershire, we have a very active community fridge that is open every weekday lunchtime and gives food out to anyone who turns up.
It’s aimed at reducing the amount being sent to landfill by supermarkets.
If produce is at the end of its shelf life or the packaging has been damaged, they’ll send it to the community fridge to dole out to anyone who would rather see it fill tummies and not landfill.
It’s a massive win all around as it’s saving the planet and my pocket.
On a good week, if there’s lots of food going spare, I probably cut about £15 off my grocery bill and that’s money that I’ll use to keep the boys busy over the summer holidays, when costs quickly add up.
People have said she’s pinching from the poor
This week, I’ve been given bagels, baguettes, eggs, tomatoes, apples, peppers, crisps and pastries.
I’ll boil a big batch of eggs and use them as a sandwich filling with a bit of mayo. Divvy up the snacks and fresh stuff and I’ll have enough to make packed lunches for the week.
We also have a brilliant social supermarket here where I can do a top-up shop for about a tenner, often getting packs of meat, veg and desserts like cheesecake or pancakes.
Again, you never know what you’re going to get, but it’s another place that’s not means-tested.
The money raised by selling food at very low prices goes back into the centre where the supermarket is held, which offers activities like yoga, crafts and cookery free.
I think anyone who turns their nose up at what I’m doing or labels people as scroungers needs to think again
Catherine
If I can spend less, save food from going in the bin and help support free sessions for people who need them, what’s not to love about that?
I think anyone who turns their nose up at what I’m doing or labels people as scroungers needs to think again. I wouldn’t go to a foodbank to get help as that’s not aimed at people in my current position.
But if there’s places like the social supermarket or the community fridge that want folk from all walks of life to be part of the food waste solution, I’m up for that.
My boys love it when they find snacks and goodies in their lunchboxes that I would never buy at full price
Catherine
My boys love it when they find snacks and goodies in their lunchboxes that I would never buy at full price.
It encourages them to try new things and I’m not losing out if they won’t eat what they are given, as I haven’t paid for it in the first place.
I do realise that there are lots of people who are struggling and need free food more than me.
That’s why I always go along later on in the opening times, to give others the chance to get what they need first.
It’s freebie food forever for my family
Catherine
When the community fridge opens at 1pm, there’s quite often a handful of people waiting, so I hold back until they’ve all filled their bags before I take my turn.
You can also go every lunchtime if need be, but I normally only go when I’m passing by at the time it’s open, which is rarely more than once a week.
I also try not to take tinned goods that will last longer than fresh produce, in case someone else comes along after me.
As long as my family is healthy and fed, I don’t think it matters much where the food comes from or if it’s right on its best before date.
It’s freebie food forever for my family!
What are food banks and community fridges?
There’s a few ways to donate to food banks. You can provide food, money, or become a volunteer.
If you prefer to offer cash, you can make a one-off donation or set up a direct debit. All the major charities including the Trussel Trust and IFAN allow you to make donations via their websites, or you can donate directly to your local bank.
If you want to give food, you can drop it off at your local food bank, at a donation point in supermarkets or by hosting a collection at your school, church or workplace.
If you’re donating food, the products should be in-date and non-perishable items such as the below:
- Cereal
- Soup
- Pasta
- Rice
- Tinned tomatoes / Pasta sauce
- Lentils, beans and pulses
- Tinned meat
- Tinned vegetables
- Tea/coffee
- Tinned fruit
- Biscuits
- UHT milk
- Fruit juice
To become a volunteer, contact your local food bank to find out how to sign up and donate your time.
Community fridges are slightly different. According to the community fridge network Hubbub: “A community fridge is a space that brings people together to share food, meet up, learn new skills and prevent fresh food from going to waste.
“They’re open to all and anyone can share or take food, including surplus from supermarkets, local food businesses, producers, households and gardens.”
