Do Something Different This Christmas
By: Karen Madej
Tags: Foodbanks, Hunger, Charity, Poverty, Universal Basic Income

The UK has not suffered an environmental disaster such as catastrophic floods or famine, nor has it experienced a civil war. Yet, 14 million UK citizens live below the poverty line. The need for emergency food packages increased by 89% from 2019 to 2020.

I have felt very strongly about foodbanks since I discovered their numbers had increased from 56 in 2010 to 1200 in 2019. In 2010 The Conservative and The Liberal Parties formed a coalition that gave birth to Universal Credit.

No one should be forced to turn to any charity because they can’t afford food. This can change. And right now, we have a real opportunity to begin to end hunger and destitution in the UK. There’s a part for all of us to play. ~Hunger Free Future

The Trussel Trust provides emergency three-day food parcels from their 1200 foodbanks to people in crisis. They have a strategic five-year plan that aims to end the need for food banks through their values of compassion, justice, community, and dignity. They plan to work nationally and locally to address the reasons foodbanks are needed, like Universal Credit benefit system policies and lack of support services.

The trust exists to help people in crisis, but the crisis is becoming the norm, especially in 2020. The Trussel Trust drew on their foodbank trustees, other volunteers, and staff to identify three main areas that need to be changed; community, policy, and minds.

In the meantime, to my utter disgust, I heard that the Department of Works and Pensions are reducing their client’s benefits payments because these desperate and hungry people are turning to food banks to feed themselves and their children. Food from foodbanks cost the government nothing. Donations are given by people who want to help the hungry. How dare benefits be reduced? If a claimant is forced to ask for food because they don’t have enough money to buy food to feed themselves and their family, they should be able to receive donations.

I have been unable to verify that benefit’s payments are being stopped if claimants use a foodbank. Another possibility is that paying back the initial five-week advance reduces the amount of money a person has to spend each month. Also, if a claimant does something wrong or forgets to do something and doesn’t correct the omission quickly they can lose some of their benefits in the form of sanctions. Thus less money means they have to use a foodbank.

This is not the only despicable act vulnerable people are being inflicted with. Do you know those hungry homeless guys and young women on your high street in the UK? They are also getting less in benefits because begging is considered an income. Technically yes, I guess it is. But seriously?

Do the DWP think Craig, Shawn, James, Kerry Ann, and Gavin on the Kirkcaldy High Street want to be sitting on the pavement in all weathers? Would they ask for cups of hot chocolate and coffee laced with masses of white sugar that rot their teeth if they weren’t desperate?

Did the DWP think it was okay to punish Craig for helping a mate out? Yes, they did. Craig lost his flat because he let a fellow homeless person stay there with him. Craig is still sleeping in the church doorway. He gave me a Christmas card last week. He has a kind heart and is being punished for it by the government. Instead, the DWP could have helped by finding a place for Craig’s guest to stay.

I’ve been lucky enough to only need help for four weeks. Signed off with depression by my doctor because I couldn’t stop crying, the break from work did the trick and I’m back in gainful employment now. I was luckier than most because I had enough savings to pay my bills for a month. I won’t receive my Universal Credit payment until the 24th of this month but it will cover bills for January while I wait to get paid by my employer.

I’m able to work. I have a roof over my head, I turn the heating on when it gets so cold my nose drips, and I can afford to eat healthy food. I’m happy with these three basics. Craig and Gavin don’t have these three basics. When I spoke with Gavin, a newcomer to the High Street, for the first time today, he was trying to get £20 of donations into his begging bowl so he could afford a night in The Windsor Hotel which usually charges £57 per night. James has a roof with his pals and, I hope, heating and food.

I’m distressed that they will all be hungry over Christmas. I’m more than upset that Craig won’t have somewhere to go for a hot meal. The Salvation Army under non-pandemic circumstances would provide dinner on Christmas Day. But they are not this year due to all the safety restrictions. I’m going to chase up another lead I have. If that leads to nothing, I will buy a turkey and stuffing and make up hot turkey rolls for the Kirkcaldy High Street Homeless people.

I am sad that I don’t have the means to do any more than provide a small meal and put together a little bag of basic hygiene essentials. When I asked Shawn what he would find useful to go with the toothbrushes and paste I’d already got, he suggested deodorant, underwear and anything else that will keep them clean and warm. I hope the magic, one-size-fits all gloves, plus the other items I have yet to source will be useful for them.

If you have any suggestions for easily transported hot meals for homeless people, please leave me a comment.

Will you do something different for Christmas and sign up for the Trussell Trust Hunger Free Future Campaign?

Lastly, thanks to the devastation wrought by the pandemic, a Universal Basic Annual Income of £7706 for UK citizens is looking more and more attractive. Keep an eye out for my next post with some imagined scenarios of what a monthly UBI might mean to people.

Thank you for reading.