Instead of the perfectly-fine “expired” food going to the dumpster, feed people. Help the community.
So putting myself into an asshole NIMBY’s shoes: I bet a lot of people don’t want to admit that they would prefer not to rub shoulders with people who needed foodbanks. And that is likely a major reason why a store wouldn’t do this.
Also you’d need to staff it and if the food is free, that’s an expense. Also the store space could be used for other merchandise so you’re paying for a bigger footprint and to light, heat, cool, and clean it. I’ve been to some food banks and rarely are they in nice modern buildings.
I agree that it should happen instead of food being wasted. Those are just the reasons it wouldn’t happen in a commercial store. I think a better idea would be to strictly regulate what food is allowed to be thrown out vs mandatory donating with huge fines for intentional contamination or waste.
If you talk to people about homelessness, they will readily admit they just don’t want to see it. If go to any cheaper grocery store you definitely are rubbing shoulders with people who use foodbanks. Food insecurity doesn’t go away just because you have a roof over your head.
The rub is a foodbank in a grocery store will attract the more visible “unreliable access to showers” type of user, which would be unacceptable.
I get that, but then those “undesirsbles” can be directed to help. At first yea, lots of grimy people could show up. With time as those people get help, you’ll see less and less. Change takes time. This change would be like removing a dam. A crazy surge of water, but then it calms to be the beautiful river it can be :)
One benefit of colocating the food bank with the grocery store is that shoppers could make direct contributions to the food bank. Instead of those questionable ‘donate $1 to such and such’ prompts at payment, one could purchase an extra can of food and discreetly drop it off after checkout. Seeing the beneficiaries in person is confidence the grocery store isn’t just making a money grab.
Since most of us have to buy groceries, it would also provide shoppers a convenient opportunity to practice compassion. Sometimes a bad day can be turned around by doing something good.
but then those “undesirsbles” can be directed to help.
You think the reason they are undesirable is because they need help? They WANT to be undesirable. They reject society and choose to make bad decisions. You can’t help people like that.
The people who utilize food banks are not the addicted population you are most likely imagining. It’s everyday people who have a home, but not enough money left over for adequate sustenance.
Also, go volunteer at a soup kitchen wherever you live. You’ll see a lot more people who look closer to you than to the people you are describing, I guarantee it.
There will always be the exception of course, but most people who need and will use food banks are not parading themselves out on the streets flaunting their homelessness.
Counter thought: food banks shouldnt be necessary because society should protect its weakest from starvation in an orderly manner and not by volunteer work and donations.
This is why I feel good churches need to be supported as they are normally the ones bankrolling this kind of thing, anything that human being requires to survive should be provided free of charge in my opinion. The fact that we still want to make a buck off of human suffering is a failure of humanity as a species
Churches in concept are amazing. They are a place for people to gather and learn about morals and ethics and such, to bond with the community. And then there is(maybe) free food after service where you can eat and chat with other people.
And the other services they can provide, like food banking, homeless help, counseling, community space, being a safe space, a refuge with resources. I’m glad there are some institutions doing it. I hope they are the snowball that triggers the avalanche, but so many churches are money vacuums draining their communities :(
I would love to see more churches climb to the top and better their commuities. I choose to be hopeful. One step at a time :)
I think you failed to understand what churches do…
True Mega Churches tend to be nothing but griffs, but you should try the old school brick and mortar, pews made of wood, kind.
In fact religious groups in general typically are the ones getting the most done on charity work.
Edit: Wait, no you understood, I’m just weird
What did I fail to understand? I said some churches are doing the work of charity and that I hope the many churches that don’t (the griffs) will follow the example.
My bad, maybe I failed to understand something… Sorry.
Quite late, but I personally like it when my apology is recognized, so I’m here to say no worries at all. We communicated and sorted it out 🤘
