the food pantry is NOT a grocery store

[KellyHabersham]

Dear "Vicky",

The food pantry at church is "emergency only" - this does NOT mean "stop by several times a month asking for a food box. It also does not mean that we are a grocery store, so quit depending upon us to have what you want in stock - whatever we have comes from donations by congregation members, and nobody is going to bring cookies, kool-aid, ......etc., for the express purpose of you and your family.
I'm sorry for whatever your circumstances might be, but I don't like being put into the awkward position of telling people that they need to leave, because we've already helped them several times this month. Which is what's going to have to happen the next time you show up, because you seem to have gotten the idea that we can provide regular assistance, and apparently aren't getting the hints I've tried to be tactful about.

[elsporko]

You should just make it a rule that a person can only come in once a month, or whatever is deemed acceptable. Pretty much every aid organization around here does that. When it comes to shelter nights or rent alot of the places only give help once a year, which I stress to those coming in. When you can only get a limited amount of help and know this then you end up looking over your circumstances alot more carfully and finding out you have more options you can excersize without going to an agency.


I wonder if Vicky qualifies for food assistance. She may not know how to get it, and if she doesn't qualify then why does she need to visit the food pantry in the first place?

[KellyHabersham]

Unfortunately, it's not entirely my decision to make that sort of policy, although I'd be the main one who has to enforce it. I guess it just wasn't something anyone really thought about, as "Vicky" has been the first problem we've had with getting "repeat customers". (at least, since I've been working there)

[Boozy]

It's lovely what your church does for local poor families, and I'd hate to see that program stop because of a few bad apples.

So I'd look at it this way; you're running interference between the ingrates and the generous hearts of your congregation.

[KellyHabersham]

Oh, we're definitely not going to stop having a food pantry.........I think we just need to have some set policies in place so that when people do come in (or call) the office regarding food assistance, I'd be able to explain things to them.

As for "Vicky", I'm just hoping that the next time she comes in, it's at a time when our pastor's in the office, because she's willing to back me up when it comes to "repeat customers".

[elsporko]

Having set policies is definitely needed. I would also suggest you require people have some sort of proof that they need the food pantry. Verification of income, or even a recommendation from another agency, so you don't get people who can afford their own food but would rather spend the money on more fun things.

[lupo pazzesco]

I would also suggest you require people have some sort of proof that they need the food pantry. Verification of income, or even a recommendation from another agency, so you don't get people who can afford their own food but would rather spend the money on more fun things.

And if they have the money, but need it for other purposes, what then? I will occasionally use food pantries because even though I have the money, I'm saving it for something other than groceries. Why should I have to prove that I'm needy enough, needier than person A, or less needy than person B. If I'm not treating the place like a grocery store, and only going in once a month or so, why should I have to give a detailed listing of my income just so I can get a few cans or boxes of food to help stretch my budget? I can understand requirements for government agencies, foodstamps and whatnot, but a nonprofit, voluntarily run place like a church food pantry? Why?

If I show them that I have a balance of $250 in my bank account, they can turn me away because I obviously have enough to buy groceries, not taking into account that that $250 is going to pay for prescriptions, electricity, water and bus fare. Will I have to provide documentation for that, too? Again, why? I see what you're saying, but it's neither logical, feasible, and at the same time, I don't think it's legal, either, especially since it's not a recognized and funded organization. Especially not when it's a program meant to help people in emergencies. Oh dear, my kitchen caught fire, I have nothing to eat or to feed my children. I'm going to a food pantry but...wait...I have to prove that I need assistance? That makes no sense.

Limiting the times people come into a food pantry and treating it like a grocery store as mentioned in the OP makes sense. "Vicky" as mentioned above is obviously not utilizing the program for its intended purposes, which is an emergency food pantry, and should be talked to accordingly, but no one else should have to justify how needy they are for a box of mac n' cheese and a can of vegetables.

[elsporko]

Every non-profit non-government agency I know of (and I work in the field) has requirments like that because otherwise people will try to take advantage of them. It sucks but the people at blame are those who cheat the system not those trying to help.

[Fryk]

I don't think the policies at a church pantry need to be so black and white, but elsporko kind of has a point. If people don't really need the assistance, and since resources can be scarce, it would make sense to kind of weed out the not-really-needy ones. I just have no clear clue how you would do that. I don't think that prrof of income would work there, if only because it would then become somebody's job to verify everyone's information.

[elsporko]

Maybe a referral from another agency would be more appropriate. That way those people have to at least think they are needy enough to need the food pantry and you don't need to confirm anything. The agency just has to print out the referral on their letterhead, or even make a phone call depending on if they have permission to share that kind of information.

Maybe I'm a bit jaded but I've heard alot of people say things like "My friend got help for an apartment from you and I decided I want you to help me too" or "I don't like living with my parents (granparents, aunt, brother, whatever) and I want to move out. No they aren't kicking me out." that I think there needs to be a system in place so that people who need help can get it and those who don't aren't taking all the resources.

[Fryk]

The only problem I can see there is that referrals from a gvernment agency to a church might cause a fiew problems at the church AND the agency. Like I said, I totally agree with what you're saying, I just dont see a really good way of going about it.

[Nyoibo]

In Australia, at least in SA you have to have a low income health care card for most places, which basically proves you have a low income, even if you happen to have a couple of hundred dollars saved up.

[elsporko]

The only problem I can see there is that referrals from a gvernment agency to a church might cause a fiew problems at the church AND the agency. Like I said, I totally agree with what you're saying, I just dont see a really good way of going about it.

It shouldn't. Around here there aren't any problems with the Salvation Army getting people from the Department of Human Services and the other way around. As long as being a member of the church to use the pantry isn't a requirment then it should be fine.

[KellyHabersham]

*just a brief update on the situation....unfortunately I don't have the time to go into detail as I have to leave shortly to catch a bus*

"Vicky" and her husband were waiting outside the office door when I got to work this morning, so I went around a different way as to open the building, check voicemail, .....etc., before having to deal with them. I did give them some food, but mentioned that I wasn't supposed to be handing out food more than once a month or so, and that I was going to get into trouble if I had people coming back every week. (the "getting into trouble" part isn't exactly true, but "Pastor Nancy" HAS told me that she doesn't want people relying on us on a regular basis, and she mentioned "Vicky" in particular)

Unfortunately, "Vicky" seems to pick times to stop in when I'm the only one in the office, thus I have no one for back-up if people should get snotty/arguementative/violent about getting turned down for assistance. (Pastor Nancy has offered be the "big meanie" in situations like this, but she's not in the office when this happens) And since "Vicky" didn't seem really happy when I told her that we really weren't supposed to have people come in every week, I'm hoping she finally got the hint.

[insertNameHere]

More people need to learn, beggars can't be choosers.

At my grandfathers church few years ago there was a family in need and it was around the holidays, so everyone was helping them out. Well he bought a nice big ham, all the fixings, went to drop it off and the family was not really at all thankful and actually complained "Well we just had ham the other day". At which point my grandfather got offended (rightfully so in my opinion)... They were kinda pissed because he felt that since they were in a position to turn down the ham they really didn't need any of the other stuff, so he took the box back to his car and left. He dropped it off to the woman who runs the local soup kitchen, she was extremely grateful and actually started tearing up because she was happy to get such a wonderful donation.