Is this a particularly uneducated take on food insecurity/poverty?

[Anonymous]

During covid I provided meals to a family every 2 weeks. I would ensure they had everything they needed to make the meal. I gave some staples at the beginning like salt, pepper, oil. I realize this is different, but I also see the perspective of the food pantry. Its hard to give out only part of the ingredients and expect everyone who is relying on free food to have the money to buy the supplemental parts.

[Anonymous]

Sort of off topic, but I've seen food banks set up volunteers outside grocery stores handing out wish lists to shoppers who want to participate. I always do when I see them, and I appreciate knowing exactly what to buy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will admit the messaging sounds like it needs some work. However, the message is 100% accurate and it is a difficult thing to discuss with people who are the donators. As evidenced by multiple statements made above the post I’m making right now.


Yes, people who are destitute and poor, can certainly eat hamburger helper on its own, and a cake mix made with no frosting. However, people who are destitute and poor are also human beings, worthy of dignity and respect. Worthy of being able to see the joy on their child’s face, when giving a cake with candles and icing and sprinkles. Being able to really satisfy a bunch of hungry tummies with a hot meal with protein.

We have no idea if or why not someone might have or not have food stamps or WIC and why they are at the food pantry.

I’m not religious but I think I’ve heard the phrase “there but for the grace of God I go” and it may fit here

This is a very thoughtful message, PP.

OP, I wouldn’t say the message you received is uneducated, it’s unprofessional. It’s not wise for non-profits to be harsh with donors. Was it worded more eloquently than the synopsis you gave us?

It's a very thoughtful message to say that donors are unworthy of dignity and respect? Wow.

Yes, you're the victim here. You're always the victim, even when what we're talking about is a poorly worded message from a food bank that keeps poor people from being too hungry, to better off donors who can't even thinking of why it might be hard or even impossible to simply make a trip to Dollar Tree for some icing and eggs.

PP you just quoted here.
Lady, I'm the poster from earlier who knows of a food bank that delivers the food to the clients because they live to far out and have no access to transportation to come to town. So stop making up lies.
The problem here is with the person writing the email, not the clients.

People sometimes send bad emails. If you otherwise support the org, reach out to the director - or their comms person - and just say that this email has made you feel so bad that you are reconsidering your involvement with this org.

[Anonymous]

OP, yes, your take was uneducated/unhelpful, but now you know.

Maybe you could thank them by sending money instead of food next time.

https://youtu.be/XbYInILDj6Q?si=C7dBWjJwuHneOTDR

Obviously if you donate to make yourself feel good rather than to help people, carry on

[Anonymous]

I’m assuming anyone going to a food bank is pretty much only eating what they get from the food bank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes, your take was uneducated/unhelpful, but now you know.

Maybe you could thank them by sending money instead of food next time.

https://youtu.be/XbYInILDj6Q?si=C7dBWjJwuHneOTDR

Obviously if you donate to make yourself feel good rather than to help people, carry on

Wow, you’re really rude. NP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will admit the messaging sounds like it needs some work. However, the message is 100% accurate and it is a difficult thing to discuss with people who are the donators. As evidenced by multiple statements made above the post I’m making right now.


Yes, people who are destitute and poor, can certainly eat hamburger helper on its own, and a cake mix made with no frosting. However, people who are destitute and poor are also human beings, worthy of dignity and respect. Worthy of being able to see the joy on their child’s face, when giving a cake with candles and icing and sprinkles. Being able to really satisfy a bunch of hungry tummies with a hot meal with protein.

We have no idea if or why not someone might have or not have food stamps or WIC and why they are at the food pantry.

I’m not religious but I think I’ve heard the phrase “there but for the grace of God I go” and it may fit here

This is a very thoughtful message, PP.

OP, I wouldn’t say the message you received is uneducated, it’s unprofessional. It’s not wise for non-profits to be harsh with donors. Was it worded more eloquently than the synopsis you gave us?

It's a very thoughtful message to say that donors are unworthy of dignity and respect? Wow.

Yes, you're the victim here. You're always the victim, even when what we're talking about is a poorly worded message from a food bank that keeps poor people from being too hungry, to better off donors who can't even thinking of why it might be hard or even impossible to simply make a trip to Dollar Tree for some icing and eggs.

PP you just quoted here.
Lady, I'm the poster from earlier who knows of a food bank that delivers the food to the clients because they live to far out and have no access to transportation to come to town. So stop making up lies.
The problem here is with the person writing the email, not the clients.

People sometimes send bad emails. If you otherwise support the org, reach out to the director - or their comms person - and just say that this email has made you feel so bad that you are reconsidering your involvement with this org.

This idea is excellent. Maybe show some grace to the food bank, or maybe not. I’m sure most food banks would welcome your donations. But please let the food bank know what communication you received and how it made you feel. One person sent a bad letter; give the organization a chance to correct it.

[Anonymous]

When I volunteered at a food pantry the cooking oil was one of the most popular items and we had to ration it to one bottle per household (no limit on canned veggies or some of the other items).

[Anonymous]

Indeed, OP, check your effing privilege! Seriously - go back and read your post. SMH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The food bank would have better served to make a wish list and ask for those items rather than calling a donation of hamburger helper useless. It isn't useless, kids can and will eat it without hamburger, mine did anyway. Some of the food bank recipients will be able to buy additional items, some won't, that's just the way it goes. If you want to donate those items, ignore the letter and buy some chicken and hamburger or some eggs I'm sure the clients will be happy to receive them.

+1 many ppl do appreciate recommendations and suggestions for complementary items are great. Just like it wouldn't have occurred to me that some food banks like toiletries but now I do donate those.

This tone is terrible. You don't insult the ppl who are donating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t think you were supposed to take perishable items to food banks

This. I'm having a hard time imaginging the food bank accepting shell eggs. Maybe the next letter will be about that.

I am sure their frustration is justified - so many people use food banks to clear out their own cupboards and the result is not nice or usable. I love the idea of a kit to make a specific dish or meal.

To your last sentence, I think a lot of ppl assume the food bank is sorting the items by type. So would t occur to make a kit with all the necessary ingredients but that's a great idea. That is the kind of communication that would be positive and helpful!

[Anonymous]

Food Bank person is insane. Donations of food are charity porn. Food banks need MONEY to buy food efficiently in bulk. They know what they need.

Asking donors to shop for perishable food to donate is insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes, your take was uneducated/unhelpful, but now you know.

Maybe you could thank them by sending money instead of food next time.

https://youtu.be/XbYInILDj6Q?si=C7dBWjJwuHneOTDR

Obviously if you donate to make yourself feel good rather than to help people, carry on

Wow, you’re really rude. NP.

Not to mention apparently illiterate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saw something like this before, we simply didn't donate anymore. Beggars can't be choosers.

I really wish you hadn’t written this. Poor people deserve as much dignity as anyone else.

[Anonymous]

I just mostly donate money at this point.