Am I a “freeloading” Thanksgiving dinner moocher / chiseler?

Question

I live in an upper scale town that does not particularly have “poor” people. However, several businesses in town donate hundreds (possibly in the thousand rage) of Thanksgiving “totes” – 4 x4 plastic bins with Thanksgiving food that would feed a family for over two weeks. From my viewpoint, these baskets should be given to a city that has true poverty and needs them. It disgusts me each year these “do gooders” give to people that don’t need it and pat themselves on the back. So, out of pure spite I signed up & am receiving one of these ridiculously filled baskets. Many people are now calling me a freeloading moocher & a disturbed person. I feel I’m just proving a point. In this upper scale town, I’m certainly in the class you would consider “poor”. Am I wrong?

Answer 1

I see your point, but I would definately donate the basket of food to one of those more needy places...

Perhaps you could talk to the organizer about how ridiculous it is

Answer 2

You said yourself that the town doesn't have "poor" people. So if these businesses find it on their hearts at a time of giving thanks to give out bins with food, why do you or someone feel you are being a freeloader or moocher? The reason that the "do gooders" give is because they have done so well in the business aspect that they want to share. My company give baskets to all employees at Thanksgiving, does that mean I am a freeloader because I take one and say Thanks?

Answer 3

to be in concert with your beliefs, why don't you take the basket to someone who really needs it. you are just busy criticizing other people's do-gooder-ness here and have offered nothing better.
In academics this is called an "argument from ignorance". I would like to see your candle in the darkness, in other words, how you did something better or something to improve the situation, or started a food basket project in a really poor neighborhood. Or even joined these do-gooders and tried to influence their distribution policies.
light a candle
light a candle
light a candle
instead of cursing the darkness

ask yourself "what am i doing to help the situation - the world"
if you ask yourself "what are other people doing wrong"
you will be busy with seeing answers but you will not be making a contribution.

Answer 4

Are you wrong? Eh...

If you want to 'prove a point,' accept it with thanks, calculate what you would've spent on feeding yourself that amount, and fire it off to a shelter in a city with poorer people. As it is, you're proving nothing by accepting it. A letter to the editor saying "I'm eligible, and..." would do more, and that's not much to do.

Though it does make me question just how wealthy you figure the recipients are. If you had a family, it might not look like so much luxury, but a way to finally pay some bills in lieu of buying yet more groceries. It strikes me that it would take quite a bit for the average person to sign up for something like that.

Answer 5

I don't think it's a case of wether you're "right" or "wrong", and I understand your desire to prove a point to those managing this donation service. I think you should ask yourself a few questions, though.

1.) Do you feel guilty for signing up for a free tote?

2.) Do you have a solution that will ensure that truly needy people receive these totes?

3.) Are you willing to donate some of your time to help implement your solution?

This is a time of giving, and a time of thanks; if you know people who are more deserving of these hand-outs, you should think about giving some of your time to help them receive this valuable support. The thanks you will receive in return is... priceless.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Answer 6

WELL IF YOU NEED THE FOOD AND ARE GOING TO EAT IT THEN I SEE NO PROBLEM.
IF YOU DO NOT NEED THIS FOOD AND ARE ONLY DOING IT TO PROVE A POINT THEN IT IS WRONG. TRY TO FIND A FAMILY REALLY IN NEED AND GIVE THEM YOUR BASKET. GIVING FROM THE HEART GOES A LONG WAY

GOD BLESS AND HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Answer 7

It depends, are we invited to dinner ya mooch

Answer 8

I agree with Kat!!!!!!!!!