Food pantry rant

[Mkrop]

And I'm not going to let that stop me from donating. I'm totally, unapologetically selfish when it comes to giving. I give because it enriches my life. If I can drop stuff off in the middle of the night when no one will know it was me who did it, I will. Tax deduction be damned.

IMO, if you're expecting thanks, or you're judging those who are requesting the help, then you're not giving - you're just buying personal feelings of gratification that come from someone else being grateful to you.

That's not charity. That's a purchase.

It doesnt stop me from donating either. But just like I know that my tax dollars that go to welfare are helping tons of people who really need it, I know there are some who abuse the sytsem. It is a shame that those who do abuse take away from those truly in need.

When I was working, every year we adopted a needy family at Christmas and I usually collected the money from my fellow coworkers. And every year I had to listen to a few whine about did we really know if this family needed it or how one time they went to the house of one of these families and they had more electronics than they had. It got discouraging bc if you dont want to donate then dont but these few people always made it so difficult to do a nice thing. I spent mroe time reminding them that a scoial service agency referred the family and that even though they might not appear "needy" some people are "needy" for a period of time (due to unemployment, illness etc) vs being needy all the time so we really shouldt judge based on one snapshot of their life

 

[Freyja]

And I'm not going to let that stop me from donating. I'm totally, unapologetically selfish when it comes to giving. I give because it enriches my life. If I can drop stuff off in the middle of the night when no one will know it was me who did it, I will. Tax deduction be damned.

IMO, if you're expecting thanks, or you're judging those who are requesting the help, then you're not giving - you're just buying personal feelings of gratification that come from someone else being grateful to you.

That's not charity. That's a purchase.

Very well said!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Those are the people who say they give plenty to charity, but do it quietly and without any attention drawn to them.

In the past month, I bet that I've seen that line used at least 50 times on some threads.

WOW how condescending. We never five soiled clothes or expired food. We look at the list in the bulletin and then get some of the items and drop them at the Church's rectory.

 

[dogluva]

If you don't feel that donating is going to a good cause, then please don't donate. Pick one you believe in. There are a million out there. I, personally, enjoy helping out in a food pantry and I really think I am making a difference.

I don't think about who really needs it or not. I just feel good that a small child will have a meal.

 

[crazyme5kids]

We dropped off some clothing and food to a place today. I got some great buys on canned goods. I did go through the cabinet because I knew I had stuff that was good still that I won't be using. Included were olives, I had several jars and we don't even eat them. I had a ton of pudding and also relish. I put those in too. It might be strange, but I figured someone might like that stuff and it was better than letting it sit on the shelf or throwing it away.

 

[luvthatduke]

We dropped off some clothing and food to a place today. I got some great buys on canned goods. I did go through the cabinet because I knew I had stuff that was good still that I won't be using. Included were olives, I had several jars and we don't even eat them. I had a ton of pudding and also relish. I put those in too. It might be strange, but I figured someone might like that stuff and it was better than letting it sit on the shelf or throwing it away.

Hey, as long as it was in date then it's all good!
I know some pantries love to get anything out of the ordinary
(well, except maybe for tomatoes & beans ).

And I agree about the dates but unfortunately many
places will not take/give food that is out of date.
I think it's to protect themselves.

Re: The question posted a few pages back about microwaves
I know from experience and from people I've known over the
years in unfortunate circumstances, that micro ovens are
generally allowed in hotel rooms, they are pretty inexpensive
if you shop around, and can sometimes be found at thrift stores, also.
And if you don't have a regular oven that works properly
or you cannot afford to fix it (I've been in that situation)
a microwave oven is a Godsend .
Please don't read that as a rebuke, BTW,
I'm just answering the question

 

[Mkrop]

Hey, as long as it was in date then it's all good!
I know some pantries love to get anything out of the ordinary
(well, except maybe for tomatoes & beans ).

And I agree about the dates but unfortunately many
places will not take/give food that is out of date.
I think it's to protect themselves.

Re: The question posted a few pages back about microwaves
I know from experience and from people I've known over the
years in unfortunate circumstances, that micro ovens are
generally allowed in hotel rooms, they are pretty inexpensive
if you shop around, and can sometimes be found at thrift stores, also.
And if you don't have a regular oven that works properly
or you cannot afford to fix it (I've been in that situation)
a microwave oven is a Godsend .
Please don't read that as a rebuke, BTW,
I'm just answering the question

Thanks didnt take it as a rebuke, was just wondering out loud, thanks for the insight

 

[zakatak]

One time, we were doing a Girl Scout food drive and about 1/3 of the food was expired (no kidding). I found the winner, though... a bottle of French Dressing that was brown. Yes, that's right not RED like it was supposed to be. I looked at the date... 1998. Ummm... 9 years ago??? What are you thinking??

I do agree with the soups: just hit up the Campbell's aisle. Lots you can make with just water.

 

[luvthatduke]

Thanks didnt take it as a rebuke, was just wondering out loud, thanks for the insight

Thanks, I get nervous posting some things
because the written word (especially mine sometimes!)
can be taken so wrong


MOMTOMOOTOO,
How goes the food drive?
Is it still ongoing?
Hope you're getting some good food items, and in date .

 

[Mkrop]

Thanks, I get nervous posting some things
because the written word (especially mine sometimes!)
can be taken so wrong


Been there done that too

 

[HOGFAN]

we prefer to just give cash to the local food bank. They say they can take a $50 donation and buy $600 worth of food with it.

 

[Disney Doll]

We had the same experience at our church food drive too.

Makes me really wonder what kind of Christian thinks a hungry person deserves no better than a dented, rusty can of peas that expired FIVE years ago.

Yup, makes me wonder.

Why would you assume that everyone who donates to a food bank is a Christian???? I help out with charitable drives at my Catholic church on occasion and you can rest assured we will accept donations to help others from any religious denomination. We don't make folks show a Baptimal certificate in order to donate.

Don't you think that Wiccans, Muslims, Jewish folks, atheists, agnostics, Protestants, Mormons etc. also want to help their fellow man???

Your HUGE bias is showing Cami.

 

[Disney Doll]

Those are the people who say they give plenty to charity, but do it quietly and without any attention drawn to them.

In the past month, I bet that I've seen that line used at least 50 times on some threads.

Rude comment.

I do donate quietly and without any attention drawn to me. I go to the grocery store and buy a couple of bags of food to donate. I go through my clothes and give the nice ones to the clothing drive. The yucky ones get donated to the local animal shelter or given to my friend who owns a rag business.

Nice to know that there are at least 50 people on the DIS who don't require a lot of fanfare. And at least one who has no problem amking a rude comment.