Greedy vs Needy -

[lihpster]

Day old bread makes great French Toast. Leftovers ? Several have told me they are great for homemade soups.
"Waste not, want not." My mother and grandmother went through the Great Depression, then the War. I grew up in atmosphere of frugality, thriftiness, you use it up, get your money's worth, if you don't need something-the coat you outgrew-you pass it along.

My father was born on a farm in North Dakota during the Great Depression and the dust bowl. He spent hours watching his father straighten used nails to use them again. You might say frugality was the order of the day at my house.

 

[moosedog]

My father left when I was 12. My mom had a rough time of it trying to keep the house as he left us with little. At that time the war on poverty was put in place and people were telling my mom the "free benefits" that we could get. I asked mom if she was going to take some of that free money and she told me one of the most profound things I ever heard, all though I didn't understand it at the time. Mom said, "If you take that money, you'll be lazy the rest of your life."
Thank you mom.

 

[cadmike]

That is Your Opinion.
Did your mother bake FRESH pies and cakes EVERY day?
Did your mother every serve left-overs?
How old is the food in you kitchen?
Let he who is without sin ...

You would choose to have Panera throw all left over product at end of day into a dumpster.

The Panera products in our Blessing Box are no different in quality than those that a customer bought yesterday and still has in his kitchen.

Our clients are very happy to have any day old Panera products.

Bekeart

Ahem. First off, you leave my mother out of this.

Second, I never said a word about day old Panera. I used the word expired.

I stand by what I said. The Neanderthal-level thinking that the truly needy should be happy to provide their families with discarded food is both insulting and shameful. If this is really the way you think then you don’t understand what charity is.

 

[Bekeart]

Panera product is EXPIRED at days end.

Ahem. First off, you leave my mother out of this.

Second, I never said a word about day old Panera. I used the word expired.

I stand by what I said. The Neanderthal-level thinking that the truly needy should be happy to provide their families with discarded food is both insulting and shameful. If this is really the way you think then you don’t understand what charity is.

By Panera's guide, product left at end of day is EXPIRED.

It seems that you want to get sanctimonious about:
1 - USE BY DATES
1 - BEST BY DATES

Since you appear to be an expert on "Neanderthal-level thinking" and expired foods.
I will quote from seemingly knowledgeable sources about FOOD SAFETY.

It is generally agreed that properly stored food is SAFE to EAT after its USE BY or BEST BY date.

These labels indicate the date by which the manufacturer recommends using the product for optimal quality and freshness. Unlike expiration dates, use-by or best-by dates are not safety dates, and products can often be consumed safely after these dates have passed, as long as they've been stored properly.

intermountainhealthcare.org › blogs › what-does-shelf-life-mean-sell-by-vs...

A “Use-By" date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula

Best by date: This date guarantees the period of time the product will be at its best flavor or quality — when bread will still taste soft or crackers crisp. The food will still remain edible after this date, it is not about food safety, but about taste.

Sell by date: This date is determined by producers to inform sellers when to remove items from the shelves. The goal is to ensure consumers receive the item at its optimal quality, which can last for several days to several weeks past the date, depending on the item. Milk for instance, according to Consumer Reports, should last five to seven days past its sell-by date if stored properly.

What Do Expiration Date Labels Really Mean? - FoodPrint

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A “Use-By" date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safe...ration/food-safety-basics/food-product-dating

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Expiration, Use-By and Sell-By dates: What do they really mean?

So what do these terms mean for consumers?

* Expiration Date: If you have a product with an expired expiration date, throw it out. While other dating terms are used as a basic guideline, this one is absolute.

*Best if Used-By and Use-By date:

“Use-By” or: Best if Used By” dates are a suggestion for when the food item will be at its best quality. Food is generally safe if consumed past this date, but may have deteriorated in flavor, texture, or appearance. “Use- By” dates are most often found on canned goods, dry goods, condiments, or other shelf stable items. The Food and Drug Administration is supporting the food industry’s efforts to standardize the use of this on its packaged food labeling.

*Sell-By date:

Many fresh or prepared foods are labeled with a “Sell-By” date as a guide for how long the item should be displayed for sale before quality deteriorates. Items are generally safe for consumption after this date, but may begin to lose flavor or eye appeal. “Sell-By” dates are chosen with the assumption that the buyer may store or eat the item a few days after purchase. To be sure your food is fresh and will keep at home, it is best not to buy items that are past their “ sell by” date.

*Guaranteed Fresh

This date is often used for perishable baked goods. Beyond this date, freshness is no longer guaranteed, although it may still be edible.

Expiration, Use-By and Sell-By dates: What do they really mean? | Extension News and Publications

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PROPERLY STORED

The food pantry I donate to will not accept any "Refrigeration Required" product.
Because they can not be CERTAIN of a HISTORY OF PROPER REFRIGERATION.

Bekeart

 

[Buford57]

I won't share war stories or cautionary tales and as to how, where or to whom I give, I'll abide by Jesus' teaching to not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. Sorry if being called the left hand offends anyone.

Another teaching of my faith is that giving should be from the heart, out of personal motivation, not guilt or obligation. If giving to the soup kitchen leaves you cold, by all means give to the animal shelter or buy a street person a meal or send a check to whichever national organization's tear jerking TV appeal got to you.

As to whether your generosity is appreciated, this thread has led me to reflect on how many of the things I take for granted weren't earned: family, birth in the US, reasonably good health, natural abilities, friends who take me as I am and so much more.

 

[Smoke]

I stand by what I said. The Neanderthal-level thinking that the truly needy should be happy to provide their families with discarded food is both insulting and shameful. If this is really the way you think then you don’t understand what charity is.

True story bro, I grew up on welfare. I ate that welfare cheese and I was damn happy to get it. I was on free lunch at school. Everyone on free lunch worked in the cafeteria, washing dishes and mopping the floor.

That's one of the reasons I don't think twice about feeding beggars.

If the choice is between expired food and no food I'll take expired.




Eat these things for a month and your standards as to what constitutes "edible food" will be forever altered.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I paid $30 for a Raleigh 3-speed, gave it to a minister-friend to give to a fellow he knew with "developmental problems" who need a bike to get to work. If I had given him a brand new and more expensive bike would that have been more virtuous ?
When we have a breakfast at church I make the pancakes, I buy the cheapest store brand mixes. That makes me mean and stingy ? We have a "Books and Breakfast" program at my church, buy the cheapest toothbrushes and soaps and razors and washcloths we can find.

 

[TheHobbyist]

It's really about service to others...all the rest is just noise and temporary.

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[Bekeart]

AMEN Brother

I paid $30 for a Raleigh 3-speed, gave it to a minister-friend to give to a fellow he knew with "developmental problems" who need a bike to get to work. If I had given him a brand new and more expensive bike would that have been more virtuous ?
When we have a breakfast at church I make the pancakes, I buy the cheapest store brand mixes. That makes me mean and stingy ? We have a "Books and Breakfast" program at my church, buy the cheapest toothbrushes and soaps and razors and washcloths we can find.

My food pantry donations are almost always from the following:
#1 CLEARANCE priced
#2 MARKED DOWN price
#3 WEEKLY SALE price
#4 STORE BRANDS

Can get carried away with a REAL Buy One Get One (half price) Sale.
Same money helps twice as many Clients.

Food pantry can not accept "Refrigeration Required" items due to uncertain history of Refrigeration.

Have a different deal with the Soup Kitchen.
Manager knows and trusts me.
Hams, bacon, sausage, etc. DIRECTLY from store to Soup Kitchen.
Then it goes into their Walk-In FREEZER.

Soup Kitchen also gets CASH!

Bekeart

I do not donate any item that I will not or would not eat.
e.g. "Mystery Meat in Tough Chewy Casing" - its only resemblance to a good Bratwurst is the shape.
Think of a Brat Sized "Smoked Sausage?" with Thick Bright Red Bologna stye Casing.
I do not know of any Brand that I would recommend.

Bekeart

 

[luvsmiths]

To Those Criticizing Who "Deserves" Help:

I get it—there’s a lot of frustration when you see people showing up for help who don’t seem to fit the image of someone in need. Maybe they’re driving a luxury car, or they don’t look the part of someone who’s struggling. And yes, I’ll admit, there are people who take advantage of these systems, who play the part of being needy when they really aren't. It’s frustrating, and it feels like those of us trying to help are getting taken for a ride.

But here’s the thing: We can’t let a few bad actors stop us from helping the many who genuinely need it. If we let a handful of people who may not be as needy as they seem dictate how we treat everyone else, we risk turning our backs on those who really do need the support. The truth is, it’s impossible to perfectly filter out every person who’s gaming the system, and if we get too caught up in judging everyone, we might miss someone who’s struggling and deserves help.

Yes, some people might be abusing the system. It happens. But that doesn’t mean we should stop offering help to those who truly need it. The fact is, you can’t always tell who’s in a desperate situation just by looking at them. Circumstances can be complex—someone could have just lost their job, be facing a sudden illness, or be struggling with mental health issues or addiction that aren't immediately visible. We all have moments in life where things get hard, and a little help can make a big difference.

Instead of focusing on who might be "gaming" the system, let’s remember why we’re doing this in the first place: to make sure no one goes without, to offer a hand to those who need it, even if we can’t always see the full picture. It’s better to help and sometimes be taken advantage of than to turn people away and risk leaving someone who really needs help out in the cold.

I know it’s frustrating to feel like you're part of a system that's being abused, but let’s not let that deter us from continuing to support those who are truly struggling. The goal should be to help as many as we can without making anyone feel unwelcome. After all, helping someone in need—even if they’re not perfect—still makes a difference. And that’s what matters.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."