Community Chat

[DiAnne]

I work with a great group of volunteers every Monday morning getting a local food bank ready for the week.  Most of them volunteer at other facilities also (library, schools, senior center, etc).  You are right there are givers and takers.  I'll spend my time with the givers anytime!!. 

[esmeraldagooch]

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@151949 wrote:

To paraphrase Chris Christy when he was the Florida governor during the Gulf oil spill . he was asked where he would get the laborers he needed to clean up the beaches if needed and he said I have the best volunteers base in the world here in Florida - I have senior citizens.

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Actually I saw Charlie at our FL beach hotel having lunch while I was eatting.  The men outside cleaning up the tar balls were young not old and were payed well by BP for their efforts.

[151949]

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@esmeraldagooch wrote:

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@151949 wrote:

To paraphrase Chris Christy when he was the Florida governor during the Gulf oil spill . he was asked where he would get the laborers he needed to clean up the beaches if needed and he said I have the best volunteers base in the world here in Florida - I have senior citizens.

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Actually I saw Charlie at our FL beach hotel having lunch while I was eatting.  The men outside cleaning up the tar balls were young not old and were payed well by BP for their efforts.

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Before the actual damages were seen they expected massive damage all along Florida's Gulf coast. It did not happen that way - thank God. Only the northern coast of Florida got it. 

At the time we were preparing to come here to look for a house  and we pondered if we should or not. Would we want to buy property here when it could lose it's value if the beaches were ruined.However, we came down and found that all was well here, bought our home and haven't looked back.

[Stray]

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@151949 wrote:

To paraphrase Chris Christy when he was the Florida governor during the Gulf oil spill . he was asked where he would get the laborers he needed to clean up the beaches if needed and he said I have the best volunteers base in the world here in Florida - I have senior citizens.

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Wrong state...Chris is from NJ

[Puzzle Piece]

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@151949 wrote:

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@Puzzle Piece wrote:

Yes, your observations are good.  Some help, some take, some don't care.  From some places I've assisted with, most are takers along with those that don't care. 

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You know, though. yesterday with only about half the people here in our small community, because they go up north for the holidays, we still totally filled 2 pick up trucks with donated food, from the approximately 70 homes where there was someone home to give. Those who did donate gave a lot. Some homes had a large garbage bag full of food out for pickup. Some people who weren't going to be here left me checks or cash. Everyone was very generous.

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We used to just donate to food banks.  No more.  In an undercover operation, at several food banks here, those retired seniors helping to receive the goods were actually going through them to get the best of the best stuff.  They'd fill their cars and would give it to their grown children/grandchildren WHO WERE NOT IN NEED.  Their children/grandchildren had pricey homes and cars and such, and the free food helped them put on the dog so that they didn't have to have a food budget.  Often times, they made two trips to the various homes.  It was not just one or two couples, but an entire bunch - it was al l just a scam.  Can't trust folks to not have an agenda. 

[151949]

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@Puzzle Piece wrote:

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@151949 wrote:

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@Puzzle Piece wrote:

Yes, your observations are good.  Some help, some take, some don't care.  From some places I've assisted with, most are takers along with those that don't care. 

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You know, though. yesterday with only about half the people here in our small community, because they go up north for the holidays, we still totally filled 2 pick up trucks with donated food, from the approximately 70 homes where there was someone home to give. Those who did donate gave a lot. Some homes had a large garbage bag full of food out for pickup. Some people who weren't going to be here left me checks or cash. Everyone was very generous.

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We used to just donate to food banks.  No more.  In an undercover operation, at several food banks here, those retired seniors helping to receive the goods were actually going through them to get the best of the best stuff.  They'd fill their cars and would give it to their grown children/grandchildren WHO WERE NOT IN NEED.  Their children/grandchildren had pricey homes and cars and such, and the free food helped them put on the dog so that they didn't have to have a food budget.  Often times, they made two trips to the various homes.  It was not just one or two couples, but an entire bunch - it was al l just a scam.  Can't trust folks to not have an agenda. 

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That does not happen at the food bank at my church. We feed 400 families in our community who are too poor to buy enough food and we feed over 200 homeless children with a backpack program for when they aren't in school to get their free lunch. The food is ALL donated from the community, no organizations support us except our church. I GREATLY RESENT the things you said about seniors who work in food banks. God bless them every one - it is difficult and heavy work done by good peole. Instead of unfounded criticism and making excuses for not donating you should try volunteering at the food bank and see what actually goes on there.

[goldensrbest]

I think your post was really a nice ,and good post, but wondering why so many are saying something that would get their post  removed, not understanding why?

[Jacie]

Cheers to volunteers! I have volunteered for a number of organizations throughout the years, I was raised by a Mom and Dad  who volunteered alot and as kids we clamored along with them!

In all the years I have been at it, there was only one experience that was a turn off to me, not to be deterred I simply found another group more to my liking!

A friend recently asked me how to get involved and where to start. My comment was "pick something you want to be a part of and then pick up the phone!"  Most places want and need volunteers! Besides that, you meet new people and it's SO FUN to be part of something bigger!