I thought a non-stick pan would be OK without any oil or other lubrication to fry my breakfast egg. I was wrong. My breakfast of egg on toast was pretty similar to my ‘normal’ breakfast, apart from the egg being in lots of bits and no butter or marmite underneat…! I had a mug of fruit tea with it and felt that would set me up OK for the morning at least. Again, I was wrong.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are slightly busier for me than other days as the warehouse manager is off and so I am more involved in the shift changes and deliveries. Whilst this is helpful to break up the day, this particular Wednesday I was very hungry by 12pm and thought my cuppa soup won’t take me through the whole afternoon so I had a mug of fruit tea and a couple of carrot sticks. I used the same ‘rules’ as I did in 2019 – if someone offers me a hot drink at work I’ll accept, but I won’t make one otherwise as not everyone has this option during the day. Luckily, Lesley had a cuppa mid-morning so I had one too!
After the deliveries were done and the afternoon shift was started, I had my cuppa soup and a piece of toast at about 2.15pm. It was much more filling than just the soup alone as I had in 2019, but I could have had 2-3 pieces of toast easily. I have counted the number of slices in the loaf – it’s a small one as this was 40p and the larger one, although more bread was 49p which I couldn’t afford (economies of scale) – but I only have 2-3 slices spare after breakfast and lunch each day and I think I’ll need one on Friday when I work late and at least one over the weekend which I remember being tough last time.
I felt really tired all afternoon and just didn’t fancy any more fruit tea, but had quite a headache all evening – most days I’d have 2-3 redbush teas, 3-4 coffees and then something cold at home like fruit juice or sqaush, or both. I think the headache was dehydration so I must take more notice of this over the next few days especially.
Tea was pasta with 2 spoonsfuls each of chick peas and baked beans, plus half a tin of sardines. I ate very slowly as it was only 6.15pm and I was sure I would feel hungry later on. I enjoyed it, but could have eaten double quantities. I weighed the pasta out so I knew I’d have enough for 6 meals (5 dinners and 1 lunch) and it was less than I would normally do – am I usually overeating or is this portion an actual small one….? Don’t know.
I had a glass of lemonade during the evening as something ‘sweet’ which helped and went to bed earlier than normal as I was tired, headachey and missing my usual cup of the and evening snack of an apple and cheese or chocolate or both…
I thought of all the people who have much more physical jobs than I do and how they would cope of such a small amount of calories and of all the parents who would ensure their children eat first and have what left, but still have to run around after them and care for them AND themselves.
We had a referral today for a mum of 3 teenagers, who often doesn’t eat in order that they have enough so we gave them extra food today to hopefully ensure mum would get her ‘share’ as well.
END
Norwich foodbank helps people who are referred to them for support. This includes people who are receiving benefits, and those who are in work – part of full time. We have seen a rise in the number of people who are working but have been furloughed and therefore the household income is vastly reduced, yet the bills are still the same and even more in most cases, with kids at home needing more food, heating and electric for devices and school work.
During the winter (November to March), we have a restrcited pot of funding to help with gas / electric bills alongside a food parcel. This is done by referral, in a similar way to the foodbank voucher so we know help and support are being made available too, and since November we have issued more than 90 households with a voucher of £28 for a single adult or adult couple and £49 for a household with one or more children.We are grateful to funds and donors who have given us the resources to do this scheme for the 4th year and we know those who receive this support are grateful too, as this text from a client received this week says: ‘Thankyou so much you guys are angels thankyou’ and another, ‘Just wanted to say thank you for your help. I’ve not been in this situation before were I can’t put a wash on or have hot water. You truly are lifesavers. Thank you so much.’
Norwich foodbank blog 