Midweek: Fighting Fraud

Each week I visit a local food pantry: we could use the help, and we share with another group of people. Even if we are able to gather a few staples, we are grateful; and more than once, we've actually gotten an entire meal courtesy of this local church's benevolence! As I was leaving the pantry the other morning, a volunteer handed me a copy of a New York Times article (July 17, 2022) entitled, What Should Be Done When Food Donations Go to Those Who Don't Need Them? A reader, a Times volunteer at a food redistribution charity, posed the question, What is the ethical responsibility of the charitable organizations who are distributing these donations to ensure that those who truly need the food are those who receive it? An interesting question for sure. 

Over the years I have served in various programs to help those in need. Food redistribution charities or "pantries" as many churches label them, hot meals free of charge, clothing giveaways, and "free stores." I have recoiled when asked to carry bags of free groceries out to someone's brand new, fully loaded SUV. I have bitten my lip when a beneficiary complained we did not provide organic meat. I raged inwardly when an entire case of fresh sweet potatoes generously donated from a local farm was handed back to me with the explanation, "Oh, no one will want these because they're misshapen --not like the ones in the grocery store." Let me just say, I have eaten my share of relish sandwiches. I stood in my backyard one day and prayed for meat --real meat for my children. I would have been thrilled to receive ugly sweet potatoes or grocery store brand chicken! (SIDENOTE: Within an hour of my prayer, my neighbor knocked on the door with half a case of chicken her brother had given her. God is GOOD!) The lack of gratitude, the attitude of entitlement irked me to the point I wanted to quit; but hearing my husband express the same feelings of frustration, brought enlightenment as I searched for a way to encourage his compassion. Two things came to mind:

When I was dirt floor poor, I had a beautiful two-year old SUV. When I was saving my change just to get a slice of pizza once a week as a treat, I was wearing designer clothes. When I walked as much as I could to save money on fuel, I smiled and gave no one a clue about my need. A very sudden family situation had burdened me with legal fees, travel expenses, and no financial help other than my painfully str-e-e-e-e-etched paycheck. To outsiders, it didn't appear my mortgage company was preparing for foreclosure.

Secondly, every person on earth is in need: the lack of food or clothing can be an outward manifestation of that need. Sometimes, the hoarding of goods, the abuse of charitable programs, and the consequential lack of provisions available to those who are truly in need, is the outward manifestation. Like the alcoholic or compulsive shopper that escapes their poverty (emotional, spiritual, or otherwise) by misusing some other source of entertainment or provision, those who misappropriate the generosity of others long to compensate for the things they lack. Perhaps, they believe that by denying those who really need the services and products of charities, they are eliminating what they perceive to be competition in a very harsh, scary world. Perhaps it is greed, plain and simple. Whatever the mindset, we all need Jesus --to save us initially (justification), to save us daily (sanctification), and to save us future (resurrection). 

The dispensation of charity, I believe, should be met with lots of prayer and compassion. And I don't say that tritely. Pray for the ministry and God's direction for it. Pray for those who might be taking advantage to be convicted and have their true need met. Pray for those genuinely impoverished, that they would not only receive sustenance for their bodies, but the Bread of Life as well. Pray God would give you spiritual eyes to see and focus on the greater need, not outward circumstances. Pray God would give you the compassion of one who understands needs of which even "the needy" may not be aware. Pray that as you cheerfully hand them some peanut butter and rice, you are providing them with that which will last them through eternity.