Food handed out to families in need

I did the cloth routine with my first (stay-at-home-mom time of life). I did mostly disposables with my second (went back to work full time when he was 5 weeks old). I do all disposables with the grandkids (still working full time and they don't live with me). I refuse to judge someone on how they diaper their child. The fact that they do, and keep them clean and healthy is the actual important part.

I know too many people, including family members, who have lost their jobs. Good jobs, where they had a secure world, with average homes, maybe a popup camper or snowmobile here and there, paid their bills, raised their kids, tried to save toward retirement. And then it was gone, and the toys went, and no new jobs presented themselves, and the savings were gone and the cupboards got empty.

How sad that there are so many who point their fingers and proclaim their fellow human beings, their neighbors, as failing in some way (is it out of fear that you're not safe, that it could happen to you?) How sad that there is a presumption that they didn't try hard enough or are wasteful or irresponsibly spitting out child after child with no regard to caring for them, when you know nothing of their story.

Check out some of the other news links out there. Citigroup is laying off another 9,000. Another employer 4,000. Forget all the others out there. If you have a job and are doing okay, and someone needs some bread and milk and bananas... Can't you help without serving it up with a sermon? Or at least let someone else help without scoffing at the recipient. Because "there for the grace of God..." If you have enough and your neighbor's child has nothing, keep your condemnation to yourself and hand over a sandwich and a glass of milk. I promise, you're not corrupting that child, you're teaching kindness, compassion and a sense of right instead of wrong. Pretty easy way to make the world a better place, don't you think? Groceries, a smile and a simple "hope things get better for you." Heck, start small and just go with the "hope things get better for you." You don't even have to smile, if that's too difficult, but it would sure make a nice addition.

my word this world is so so so so cold wow some of you need a whoopin some of these things you said are very very hurtful and could damage some people oh my god

Lib Dem wrote:

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Maybe the kids can just be left outside so that they can cope without a diaper. My kids deserve the same kind of care that yours do. Show a little compassion!

my Your a bit snippy... noone said your kids don't deserve to be taken care of.. are you saying Mine weren't cared for properly because I DID use cloth? to save money. I can tell you that the 1-2 loads of laundry A DAY it added because I had 2 in diapers at the same time, doesn't cost nearly as much as the disposables. Gasp I even hung all the laundry outside in the summer to save on energy bills. Cloth takes a bit of extra time, and costs less financially and is better for the environment. I think it a bit extreme to use old tshirts and sweatshirts -but depserate times call for desperate measures. if your going to complain about not having enough money to purchase the things you need then you look for ways to cut back, and a suggestion is just that, noone said they were coming to your house to take away your disposables.

I think its great there are programs available that can assist families in need. Luckily I was able to cut enough stuff from our budget we didn't have to rely on others, I'm glad help is available when others need it. but don't knock a little suggestion along the way.

George wrote:

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my thought too. why should someone else pay to raise your kids. learn to eat at home, use cloth diapers, stop smoking and drinking (beer & soda) eat left overs, walk to where ever is close etc... 2548

This might be the case for some of the people getting help but not for all. You can't judge someone just because they're asking for help, especially with 3 small children. That's terrible. It can happen to the best.
And to the ones saying these people should stop having children. Maybe they were doing good and one or both lost their jobs, it's hard to say. Maybe this is a temporary thing for them but shame on you all for judging them when they are certainly thinking of their children by having to go get free food. I'm sure that's not an easy thing to do with all the judgemental people out there.

Due to all the food bank shortages and hungry people in this area. Our office has been having an in house food drive. We are allowed to wear jeans on Friday if we bring in a food donation. It has turned out very well. The employees are not just brining in 1 item, we are bringing in bags. It is really great to do this.

Great community support, Zippy! My office is doing the same thing.

If people join together to help lift up their fellow man, they can accomplish tremendous things. Small individual efforts joined with others can mean a world of hopeful difference to friends and strangers in need.

Just as small individual meanness and condemnation can destroy.

Stop judging, start helping, stop spewing condemnation, and start presenting ideas, solutions and support.

That's my "soap box" for the day.

I to would like to apologize for jumping to conclusions and agreeing with the post of quit having kids...that is the one choice we all have left these days. I do have 2 myself, and also a double full time income household. And we still struggle. I've said it before that if we could we would except extra help, lord knows with gas prices...everyone could use it! I'll leave that for another topic though!
Instead, we try to give to our church what we can each week, whether it be $5 or $50, b/c we know it does get put to good use. And I am a firm believer that if you give, you shall recieve and will be taken care of. I agree with michigan mom. Sometimes all there is is PB&J in our house, maybe some Ramen noodles...but i will never deny our neighbor girl(or any child for that matter) who sadly, does not always have a meal. I know at least I sent her home with a full belly that night, and I think that is the point of this forum.

Lib Dem wrote:

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I have the right to have kids. Are we going to legislate the number of kids people can have based on income? Kids aren't always planned and abortion is not always an answer.

Why not? Government has it's nose up our a** anyway. Lets do something so the tax payers can quit footing the bill for your spread legs.

maureenlee wrote:

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Why not? Government has it's nose up our a** anyway. Lets do something so the tax payers can quit footing the bill for your spread legs.

that response is absolutely disgusting!

People have families.
white collar jobs as well as blue are being eliminated as our government has decided to outsource. I think before we get too judgemental
we would do well to realize these job losses are out of these people's control.
Personally I think its going to get worse.
continued outsourcing, gas hikes, record foreclosures, are all going to lead to a very changed america, I am going to try to hold on to christian values, I feel compassion for people who are suffering i don't feel a need to make them feel worse,

Let's not get off track. Stay focussed and remember that the intent of this story is to share the good of what people are trying to do here. NLCF is a great church and I don't doubt for a moment that any of the christians from the church would condemn a mother for using disposable diapers. I would bet that 98% of these folks receiving food don't even have a child in diapers. Our economy is in dire shape and helping people without judgement is the ONLY thing that will get America out of this crisis. PRAISE HIM IN ALL THAT YOU DO!!

Yes...you have a "right" to have kids just as I have a RIGHT to be p!ssed about having to feed and clothe YOUR kids. I am not saying that people don't need a hand now and then but it is people with an attitude like you that caused me to stop donating a penny to those places. I will help the animal shelter until they stop funding anchor babies and illegal aliens since we are on the topic of freebies.

For the record, I diapered my kids in flannel diapers, bought the yard goods, cut and sewed them myself. BUT, if I was down and out I would do anything to keep the babies clean. I have needed help and I got it but I also contributed to the very best of my ability, rather than expect others to keep me to a standard of a sort equal to more prosperous times.
To those who think some of us are without love for our fellow man, did you ever hear the Bible account of giving a man a fish as opposed to teaching him how to fish? Same deal here. I have offered ideas to save money and if some are above "rags" good luck to them. It appears there are plenty people here who will help those in need keep their standards up there. As for me and my house we will do what we can to get along and help those who will help themselves.
BTW, does Lib Dem stand for liberal Democrat by any chance? If so that explains the opinions.

Michigan Mom you are right on!!!!!
I too live in Michigan
Jobs are getting so hard to find and if one can find a job one usually needs 2 more to supplement it and I have friends who do this and STILL struggle!!! This problem crosses all lines of education all the way up to those holding multiple degrees. I have given thought to our economic woes and I wish I was wrong but we haven't seen anything yet. It has also crossed my mind how this will affect the way people treat each other. I guess this forum pretty much confirms my fears, and it has yet to really begin. Bless those kind people giving out food, I used to go to church but found out none of our tithe money went to missionary it was all used to pay minister's salary building costs etc.. I would prefer to help those in need, Its just a thought you might want to check to see how much of church donations do go to help the needy when I asked and got my answer a lot of the people in our church were very surprised!!!

Try being a cashier and having to sort out 3 sets of Wic vouchers and nobody speaks English. See how you feel after giving away thousands of "free" tax dollars in groceries and then have to ring up TWO orders. One for the Wic and Bridge card and one for beer,wine and smokes for the same customer. This is the norm...NOT the unusual.

Leo, it's easy to understand your frustration. It's hard to agree that someone is making the right financial decisions if they are buying alcohol and cigarettes when they are in a financial place that allows them to qualify for WIC. I guess I can only say that I hope their children are eating something nutritious from the WIC purchase. As to not speaking English... again, I hope that they are learning it or just haven't shown their knowledge of it as they are passing through your lane. It's harder to solve any community's problems if there isn't a shared common language.
And yes, you have a right to be pissed about feeding and clothing someone else's kids, if that's not how you want your tax dollars spent. You can fight that by electing government officials who don't vote for funding any human service programs.(I personally feel that is one of the more important buckets of money to retain, if not grow, and those are the candidates I seek out for election and re-election. Part of the great American process of Democracy, right? Everyone has a right to their own opinion and the right to vote to try to have a voice for their opinion.)
That being said, this subject is on food banks that are supplied, as far as I know, voluntarily by members of the community. If you don't wish to donate, you simply don't. If you wish to drop off a grocery cart's worth, you simply do. And if you don't need it, you don't go. If you do, hopefully you get in line and receive enough to keep your family fed and healthy until you're able to provide for them yourself. And then, hopefully, you remember that gift and donate in yourself when you're able to help another in need.

The best way to stop the need for food banks, and WIC, and (sorry, I'm not sure what a Bridge card is.. I assume it's like food stamps?), is a better job environment, healthier citizens (so no lost wages, etc.) and education. A dream with no easy answer. So until we figure that one out together, there will continue to be people in need. We either help each other or we don't while we're looking. I'd rather try to help, but that's each person's own choice. Just don't criticize me for wanting to do what I think is right, and I'll return the favor. That part at least should be pretty easy.

Thank you MichiganMom. I think you understand what I am saying. I do not believe that our country can survive with all the illegal people here feeding off the system. We need to help our own first and stop the anchor babies. This is a huge drain on us and when you have cheap labor...it drives all wages down. I am fed up with our government and I do donate directly to needy families. I believe that all children deserve a full belly in this great USA and do not wish hunger on anyone. It is just so sad to see old folks on SSI buying cheap food while NON citizens get the prime beef. It is not a stereotype where I am and people are angry about it. That is why the amnesty bill will be defeated again. The greatest percentage of fraud that I see is NOT by Americans and it is too much "trouble" and loss of business I am told to do anything about it.

Yes, illegal immigrants do put a strain on our system. Most especially in areas where they can least afford the extra volume. Our entire immigration policy and all of the government services that stem from it definitely need to be reviewed. You could probably start another topix just on that issue alone, if there isn't one already out there.

Vote smart, everyone. We're coming up on a critical time in our nation's existence here. Read up on the candidates - not just Presidential, but also for local and State elections. We need people of common sense, compassion, intelligence and the ability to stay "adult" in our offices if we're ever going to see things change for the better. Whatever your version of "better" may be. Mine is allowing people to pursue their version of happiness because they have a job that pays the bills they've been saddled with, voluntarily or unvoluntarily, can feed and clothe and shelter themselves and their families, are healthy, educated and can work harder to gain more, if material wealth is important to them.
And then maybe there won't be so many food banks necessary, and the volunteerism can shift to helping to rebuild and reinvigorate our own nation. If I didn't believe speaking out can help make it happen, I wouldn't bother. My bifocals are clear glass, not rose colored.:)

Leo wrote:

Try being a cashier and having to sort out 3 sets of Wic vouchers and nobody speaks English. See how you feel after giving away thousands of "free" tax dollars in groceries and then have to ring up TWO orders. One for the Wic and Bridge card and one for beer,wine and smokes for the same customer. This is the norm...NOT the unusual.

That has got to make your blood boil. I have seen this too, it is so maddening. I don't have the answer but I sure understand your point of view.

Lib Dem wrote:

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I have the right to have kids. Are we going to legislate the number of kids people can have based on income? Kids aren't always planned and abortion is not always an answer.

Unfortunately everyone has the right to have kids, but everyone else doesnt' have a choice whether they want to pay higher taxes to pick up the slack for deadbeat parents who don't work, and make no effort to. If someone is disabled that's one thing, but there are way too many unmotivated people popping out babies left and right for the government assistance,and living off of that instead of getting off their @$$es and making an honest living.
You don't have to be rich to be a parent, but have some common sense and live within your means.$6.00 for a box of condoms is a lot cheaper than $70.00 a month for diapers, let alone the other expenses.