Food Pantry and the Angel Tree

Does anyone know how this is regulated? Why dont they require an ID or a peice of mail or a home inspection, SOMETHING. Both are great programs but I believe someone needs to do some checking. I always donate to both of them. But I do so in thinking that I am helping a less fortunate family. I work hard and save! I know its going to be a tight Christmas. I want to make sure that the Children I am giving to are Dare county residents with real financial problems.

Where do I begin.... First of all, the the Food Pantry if a wonderful idea for families that are truly having trouble. Unfortunately, there are sooooo many that use it as a grocery store. Problem is do you stop feeding those that are truly in need? No one should go hungry. I don't know, do you go to their homes and see if there is really no food in the pantry. Yes, I have inside information and have battled this dilemma for years. I have to go with not letting those truly in trouble starve. Believe me, I work daily on finding a better way to vet the vouchers.

The Angel Tree. Uhm, do we not let kids have Santa. I cannot imagine the child that should not grow up with the magic of Santa. We have created a society that thinks the gov't is going to carry them from cradle to grave and expect the gov't to provide Christmas for their kids. Unfortunately I don't have a way to vet these so I will say that as far as I can tell if it's the Salvation Army Angel Tree it does not stay in this county, the Christmas gift thing Social Services does. Hope that helps.

Thanks for answering, OBXer. I hope to see more information on this. I will choose my giving carefully this year.

I agree. I thought the programs were regulated by Dare County, are they not? Doesn't each have a board where they meet to discuss these topics? I believe they do, or do they not?

Beachnative5thgen wrote:

Does anyone know how this is regulated? Why dont they require an ID or a peice of mail or a home inspection, SOMETHING. Both are great programs but I believe someone needs to do some checking. I always donate to both of them. But I do so in thinking that I am helping a less fortunate family. I work hard and save! I know its going to be a tight Christmas. I want to make sure that the Children I am giving to are Dare county residents with real financial problems.

You just can't go to the Food Pantry and shop, you have to have a voucher from a local Church or Social Services. The Angel Tree is strickly offered by Dare County Social Services. Ease up and please don't discourage those who want to contribute to these necessary services.

Why start every post so negative. There are so many families this year that have never asked for one single thing that may need assistance. You may have just ruined someone's christmas.. Hope yours is still merry. Think before you let your fat fingers type next time.

Angel Tree is Salvation Army. Angel Gift is Social Services. Food pantry allows walk ins. Check your facts.

I think they are both wonderful services.

When used properly they are wonderful services. Problem, there are a number who abuse them lessening the available resources for those who really need them.

Its a shame that people abuse resources that are for the needy. Look at people who beat the system with food stamps and other things on a daily basis with the government. This has been happening for years and years with cons.

OBXer wrote:

Angel Tree is Salvation Army. Angel Gift is Social Services. Food pantry allows walk ins. Check your facts.

I know quite a few people who have walked in there and came out with boxes of food that dont need it. It pisses me off to no means I work my butt off and do what ever I can for my family.

Kitty Hawker wrote:

You just can't go to the Food Pantry and shop, you have to have a voucher from a local Church or Social Services. The Angel Tree is strickly offered by Dare County Social Services. Ease up and please don't discourage those who want to contribute to these necessary services.

Kitty Hawker I think you should use that computer to do some research! Because you sure are mistaking allot.

As published in the OB Sentinel on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 regarding the Outer Banks Food Pantry revising their hours: "Referrals can be from any of the member churches, Interfaith Community Outreach or the Department of Social Services." You my friend are the one who needs to do some research before you start critizing such a benefical and necessary organization.

ran an Angel Tree (or very similar) thing every Christmas for several years--not sure if he's involved any longer or not.

He scrubbed his list--which came directly through the schools--against Social Services to make sure that (a)as many families got helped as possible and (b)to ensure that some families weren't able to double-dip (sad, if true).

We also were instructed to never give receipts so the parents could not return gifts (again, sad).

We used to take one family from his list and buy everything for the kids in that family.

Once, though, we did it for a family whose name we recognized and knew for a fact the grandfather was a semi-successful local businessman. It did bother us, but we decided not to help ruin the Christmas for a few innocent kids just because their family were schmucks.

Kitty Hawker wrote:

As published in the OB Sentinel on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 regarding the Outer Banks Food Pantry revising their hours: "Referrals can be from any of the member churches, Interfaith Community Outreach or the Department of Social Services." You my friend are the one who needs to do some research before you start critizing such a benefical and necessary organization.

Anyone can just walk in! They may tell you where it is located but you do not need anything to get it.

Walk-ins receive a 3-day supply of food. For the regular two-week supply you need a referral. To get a referral, just go to your favorite church and ask.

Beachnative5thgen wrote:

<quoted text>
I know quite a few people who have walked in there and came out with boxes of food that dont need it. It pisses me off to no means I work my butt off and do what ever I can for my family.

Why didnt you report them? You know fraud is being practised but chose not to tell those who should know but air it out in a area hard hit by employment and greed and thought you are doing us a great favor! Can you be positve on any issue that does not benifit you? You started this crap of turning people on each other(again) and such a great time too.Let people give what they can and be happy they have helped someone with out mother grinch dropping bulls**t and bitter thought's when times are tough. Clean your own house first.

Beachnative5thgen wrote:

<quoted text>
Anyone can just walk in! They may tell you where it is located but you do not need anything to get it.

Sounds like you know the shopping times very well sence you see every one or know when it happens.

Santas helper wrote:

Why start every post so negative. There are so many families this year that have never asked for one single thing that may need assistance. You may have just ruined someone's christmas.. Hope yours is still merry. Think before you let your fat fingers type next time.

Well Santas helper; I also donate to the food bank, Angel Tree, and when Art& Bill did their thing from Art's place. Also Saint Judes for children for cancer; I have never thought once who was stealing from what I do until Beach Native brought it up. I guess it takes a thief to know a thief. Give what any one can and forget the naysayers.

Doctor wrote:

<quoted text> Why didnt you report them? You know fraud is being practised but chose not to tell those who should know but air it out in a area hard hit by employment and greed and thought you are doing us a great favor! Can you be positve on any issue that does not benifit you? You started this crap of turning people on each other(again) and such a great time too.Let people give what they can and be happy they have helped someone with out mother grinch dropping bulls**t and bitter thought's when times are tough. Clean your own house first.

I tried !!! and they blew it off. Tell me who I need to talk to. I wasnt trying to be negative. Im sorry it makes me mad to know what i do donate might be going to someone who dosent need it.