Is it ethical for an able-bodied unemployed college student to get food from a food bank?

Question

Not in an abusing the system kind of way, but if a student wanted to concentrate on school -- do foodbanks serve single individuals or just families?

Haha, why do you assume it's ME doing this?

I have never gone to the food bank for services. Just curious what people think :) It does seems kinda unethical to me -- even though I've never seen a food bank with empty shelves or turn anyone away.

Answer 1

School can be very stressful, many students find it difficult to hold a job while maintaining good grades.

I think it is fine.

Answer 2

The very purpose of a food bank is to serve the needy, the unable, the disabled, the least fortunate.

A college student cannot fit into the intent of the foodbank and is, in effect, depriving a person for whom the food bank exists.

By definition, that's not only unethical, it's disgusting and should be considered criminal.

Answer 3

the food bank is there for everyone, let god be the judge. besides, if it weren't for the food banks most of this stuff would be thrown in the garbage, If they were on food stamps, they expect you to live off of $21.00 a week for a single person, even if you were working a min. wage job, you are able to get food stamps." very little try to work the system."People should just stop!! Stop all of this, looking over others back, isn't there other problems in this world more important to be worried about. It's humiliating to go to these places for help, but you do it because you have to..Thank God for the person that thought of starting these food banks. sign: been there,done that!!!

Answer 4

I don't think it is unethical in the least. In fact, I recently visited my nurse practitioner who, in passing, mentioned that during college she was sometimes in a financial bind and went to a food bank when she didn't have money and little to no food. If there is a need, why not take advantage? That's what it is there for. I should also mention that I believe it is important to give back what has been freely given. That's something to keep in mind.

Answer 5

Well, I don't know which rights exactly do you have as a student. I recommend you to find some job. Weekend jobs and stuff like that. For example, you have a lot of computer operator jobs on this site, where they are looking for students to work part time. Good luck

Answer 6

if not abusing the system then there is no ethical problem. after college i was in financial straits and had no money or food and was forced to go to a food bank twice, and ate a soup kitchen a few times. yes it was embarassing going to the soup kitchen and asking for a hand out but it was a heck of a lot better than having barney miller give me a pair of bracelets in order to get a square meal.

Answer 7

To me, it seems unethical. There are enough part-time jobs available in college and university towns that an unemployed college student could have the opportunity to earn some extra cash.

Food banks have had trouble enough serving the really needy without some able-bodied college kid trying to exploit the system.

Answer 8

I don't know that its un-ethical but it is a conscious decision to make knowing full well that you are able to get a job. I am assuming you mean yourself? Its people like this that abuse the system and make people like me want to not donate to food banks because there are people out there that do abuse it and there have been times in my life when I needed help but didn't go to a food bank. I got another job until I got myself back on my feet. I understand there are times when people absolutely need help, and thats fine its those folks that should need and take the help. I know of people in my area that get the help from the food banks but when it comes to having money to run around, buy cigarettes and have a drink once in a while they have the money for that. But when there are people like me that don't do those things ( not that I would anyways) because paying my bills is more important to me, thats how my parents lived and taught me to live it truly pisses me off. I believe what comes around goes around. When you struggle, work hard and pay your bills God will see it that you are rewarded, in whatever way he see's fit. If you abuse the system and take things you can provide for yourself its that too when God will see to it that not only does your conscience pay but you do as well. Please get a job and provide for yourself. It will be more beneficial mentally to you than you could ever imagine someday knowing the choice you made! Good Luck!

Answer 9

what a buncha grinches! if the able bodied person doesn't have a job, it isn't necessarily because he/she isn't trying to get one. students are traditionally very poor. so i don't think anyone should begrudge him a few cans of soup and a loaf of bread. as for miss holier than you gotta look it up in the bible, why doncha practice what that bible says and feed an unemployed college student? imagine how great college life would be for those poor students who are at college so far from home - to actually be invited into someone's home for a home-cooked meal once in a while. it would make this a pretty rhetorical question....

Answer 10

I'm on probably the average income or maybe even slightly less. Every week I put 2 items in our church food bank. I actually prefer these to go to people worse off than me, however if they go to a person in need to help them through a tight spot well so be it.
I'm sure our church only supplies families.

Answer 11

Ugh, I couldn't find it for you BUT in the Bible it talks about how a man who doesn't work won't eat. I think if you really know that you eating from a food bank is causing someone homeless and not able-bodied to starve then you are VERY wrong to do this. Why don't you have a job? I know it's hard to keep one with school but there are a lot of things you could maybe do. Try to find a better solution, it's one thing if there's just no way for you to have a job but if you can then get one.

God Bless,
Jennie
jenn -at- innocenthands.org
downwithheroes = my yahoo messenger