Comments on: And Your Response to This Is?

By: kat

kat — Mon, 25 May 2009 00:32:23 +0000

I work for 3 local food banks/soup kitchens here in the metro detroit area, and I have NEVER seen someone in charge of the kitchen turn down food of any kind.
Seems the story is made up.

By: The many blogs I read – My Flights of Fancy

The many blogs I read – My Flights of Fancy — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:01:37 +0000

[...] are throwing away food, because “it’s not good enough”. WHAT?!?!?! You can read her post here. Truly baffling to [...]

By: Jen of a2eatwrite

Jen of a2eatwrite — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:34:47 +0000

Robin, like Marye, I’ve been involved in homeless issues in my area, and I have definitely seen the attitude that things have to be perfect for the “guests”.

I couldn’t agree with you more about the health issues. Absolutely. But I also have to agree with Marye that I’ve seen homegrown produce, eggs, etc., turned down. Healthy foods turned down. Unhealthy foods turned down. Now, having said that, there is ONE place here that will put most of that out in bins and folks can take it home. And interestingly enough, the stuff that’s “not good enough” disappears every time.

Some areas have better networking practices than others. We are very blessed where I live to have a fabulous food recovery program, but in some of the other regions around here in Michigan, that’s just not the case.

More power to anyone and everyone working with this population to make a difference. I do think, though, that our entire society’s feeling of entitlement is something that is making the U.S. weaker and weaker.

By: Marye Audet

Marye Audet — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:45:27 +0000

That is also a good point. Thanks George, and everyone for the great comments and thought provoking conversation.

By: George

George — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:35:41 +0000

Some homeless people,not being used to eating upscale food, may not eat it and the food will go to waste.

By: Marye Audet

Marye Audet — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:19:02 +0000

Robin,
I thought to stay out of the comments. Although normally I respond to each in this case I wanted everyone to have complete freedom to say whatever without my input.
I do want to say that i have been very VERY involved in homeless issues in Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex in one way or another. I understand the illnesses, the problems, and the people more than you may think. I am a veteran as well, and spend many hours at the local VA hospital.
However, noone is asking homeless people to eat moldy bread. There is an attitude in many areas that i have personally witnessed, that certain things are not good enough…this is my complaint. Our local food bank refuses home grown produce and yard eggs. They are constantly asking for donations because they dont have enough and yet they are in the center of an area where there is an abundance of home gardens and such.
I think that people who donate should do so with honor and ethics and people who accept should do so gratefully.
Thank you for you comments.

By: Robin Donovan

Robin Donovan — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:24:00 +0000

I hope everyone reads the reply from Jennifer at Miriam’s Kitchen. I’m writing from the Center for Respite Care in Cincinnati, OH. We are a medical recovery center for homeless men and women and also provide healthful meals. I think the whole concept of “throwing away doughnuts” here has been blown out of proportion. First, it is far more likely that a donation would be redirected than thrown out. Trust me, nonprofits work together. We do NOT pitch donations unless they are truly unusable (soiled underwear, for example), food included.

Please realize that an unhealthy homeless person can easily cost taxpayers millions over the course of a year and many ER visits. So, refusing to provide doughnuts might actually end up saving money. The rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and organ disease among the homeless are significantly higher than that of the general population. And when this population becomes ill, it takes them more time, more hospital days, and more taxpayer dollars to recover.

There are plenty of places that will accept doughnuts and old tuna. If an agency can provide $1.50 healthy meals that promote healthy lifestyles in the homeless community, good for them!

The bias against homeless people and those who serve them tends to lean toward this concept of “be grateful” and “beggars can’t be choosers.” Truly, I have never seen an agency that is not completely grateful or choosy. Turning down doughnuts, in this instance, is providing a long-term service and savings to the taxpayers. Miriam’s Kitchen, keep it up!
-Robin at the Respite

By: Debra McKinney

Debra McKinney — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:40:24 +0000

I totally agree with you. I have a family member that works for a national known chip & snack food company & the distributers use to give away out of date chips which are still good to eat, but now the company will fire them if they are caught doing this. I can’t believe the food that is wasted daily in America. When we do go out to eat I alway get a doggie bag because if the kids don’t eat it later, the Yorkie will. The soup kitchens here in Texas aren’t so snooty, least not where I live.

By: Kim E

Kim E — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:28:04 +0000

ok, i started typing before i read the other replies.
If they want to do that, then don’t toss it, thats just stupid. You cannot tell me there isn’t a homeless shelter that could use it to feed the people that have no money at all. you might give it a shot, you know, be conciderate?

By: Kim E

Kim E — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:24:30 +0000

Thats BS. My mother could turn a can of tuna and a box of pasta into a five star. They want to feed them an impressive meal? They need to learn to cook.
Maybe they should visit some of those five stars and see what they’re really cooking with. Its not what they think it is, I’ll guarentee. And if they are on donations, how are they feeding them five star at all? I’d guess that bailout is what they’re cookin on, and nothing more.