Sad sign of the times as pensioner begs for 50p in supermarket aisle

A WEEKLY food shop in a supermarket is something that for many families we take for granted without giving it much thought.

Increasing energy prices and the cost of raw ingredients have made shopping more difficult for those on a budget.

My work sees me helping those in food poverty and I have lived experience of having to budget when household income has been suddenly cut.
But what happened in Sainsbury’s supermarket on Church Street, one recent morning, really took my breath away.
In the cosmetics aisle, there were boxes stacked up in the way of the trolley and no staff members about.

A pensioner, who was dishevelled and vulnerable looking was navigating through. His coat was stained and his hair longish and in need of a wash.
I paused with my trolley to let him through. He was clutching a carrier bag in his hand and no shopping basket nor trolley. He seemed a little lost as if he’d stumbled to the wrong aisle.
‘That was close,’ I said as we passed. A weak smile in his direction. His head was lowered and he stopped me as I drew level.
‘I’m sorry to ask this,’ he said. I groaned inwardly wondering what to expect the question was, as I was busy and running out of time.
‘But do you have 50 pence please?’ I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
There was an awkward pause. I didn’t have any loose change at all.
‘No, I’m sorry,’ I replied. ‘I don’t have any cash.’
He seemed even more embarrassed as I’d brushed him off.
‘Wait, though,’ I added. ‘Let me buy you a little bit of food.’
He trailed behind me as I quizzed him about pension credit and food bank vouchers.
‘You shouldn’t be asking strangers for money in supermarkets,’ I told him. ‘There’s help available.’

He explained he was on a restricted diet and hadn’t been able to access food that was bland enough to not make him ill.
I spent less than £2 on a couple of cheap carbohydrate heavy food items for him.
I didn’t want any acknowledgment for what I’d done. I just want us to live in a world where desperate people don’t have to approach strangers in busy supermarkets begging for food.
We are a first-world nation, among the richest.
And he told me that most people give him the brush off and tell him to go away.
If you’re reading this and thinking it’s motivated by self aggrandisement then you are wrong. I asked him for his details and assured him I’d put in a referral to adult social care.
I’ve been in touch with Warrington Borough Council. No details about the pensioner are included to protect their identity.