Food banks in the UK 英国食物银行

When looking at Western Europe, we don't usually think about poverty - but in fact, some people in modern-day Britain are sohard upthat they can'taffordto buy food.

Back in 2008, thefinancial crisiscaused a lot ofredundancies. Then there were the cuts to thewelfare systemin 2013 which added to the problem - and many British peoplefell into debt. It's estimated that 500,000 people in the UK have turned tofood banks, justto get by.

Steph Hagen, who works in a Nottingham food bank, says: "People do not go to a food bank because it's an open door. It's a case of they go to it because they need to. With our food bank - we are an independent one, and we havelimited stocks- everyone who comes through our door has no income whatsoever."

There are checks andreferralsto make sure nobody isabusing the system. If a doctor or a social worker thinks someone needs to use a food bank - even for a short time - they can give themvouchers. Then the people in need take the vouchers along to the food bank and they gethandoutsfor three days.

Churches and individualdonorsprovide most of the food in the banks. But some businesses might help out too.

And what sort of food is offered in food banks? Hagen says: "Basically, we've got porridge. We do occasionally get fresh produce but it's very rare, especially in the winter months. It's like, tinned fruit, tinnedready meals. We have to give out 'no-cooking' food parcels because people can't afford the gas and electricity".

Community spirithas a lot to do with food banks.Volunteerssay they are a great meeting place for people who are lonely and depressed. And when facing a crisis, somebeneficiariesmight need to feed not only their belly - but also their soul.