confused about helping at food pantry

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Hi,

I volunteered to help hand out holiday baskets at a pantry where I normally provide pc/database volunteer assistance.

What I saw made me think that I am wasting my volunteer time helping people who really don't need it and maybe I should volunteer elsewhere.

Here is what I saw - most the people getting food were fat. Some were so big that I was honestly wondered if they would eat the food before their families and children got a chance at it.


I had imagined that the people I was helping by maintaing computer systems were starving -- but they seem well fed. Do you still think it is helping anyone to volunteer at this place?

I think helping is always good....put you are very right to question the particular place.

What "rules" are in place at your pantry? Do they seem logical? Do you agree with them? Are there other pantrys or organizations in your area that are a better fit for you?

There may be reasons the people were fat...you might have just gotten unlucky and hit the few fat ones (unlikely), poor people tend to have more medical issues and some of these issues cause weight gain, they may have gotten fat before falling on hard times, or eating may be their way of dealing with the stress of poverty.

In the end, you give because you are a careing person and want to help. Pick a good place and give knowing you are doing what you can. You have no control over the recipeant.

BeeBeee

Well, if they are fat and you give them more food, are you really helping them?

I'd have mixed feelings, as well.

Also, a lot of poor people have access to only processed food and/or low quality meat - which is very fatty and bad for you and causes weight gain . . .

I'm like this......

You give, not because you think certain people are "deserving" (whatever that is) but because you want to share yourself with others and make a contribution to society. I think that too often, we place judgement on poorer people because we believe that they must've been bad people to get where they are or they're "lazy" and don't want to do anything about their situation.

But from what I've experienced myself, these are just very hard times for everybody. It's often a struggle just to keep your own self afloat. Imagine if you not only had to provide for yourself but for your kids too? I think we're also so afraid of being poor ourselves we tell ourselves that being poor is all their fault so maybe if I do all the right things, it won't happen to us.