Seasonal Philanthropy

This afternoon we served 152 people at he TLC Soup Kitchen.  The experienced
crew made this task easy; the increased numbers of new guests, however, caused
both major and minor "hiccups" to occur...and I let myself be unnecessarily
drawn into one of them. At the root of the problematic behaviors, is , I
believe, the issue of seasonal philanthropy.

"Seasonal Philanthropy", as defined my me since I coined the phrase, is an
annual ennui that overcomes some well-meaning, but socially clueless individuals
who feel the urgent need to "give back" to the "less fortunate" thus making
themselves feel superior and beneficent at the same time.

During the holiday season that runs from early November through the New Year, I
get many calls and emails from complete strangers who want to bring their
children, nieces and nephews and grandparents to serve at the Soup Kitchen on a
holiday to "give back" or to "share with others"', or "feel good about our
family's own situation" or finally, even to " be present with the poor", (I don't
make these phrases up; real people say them to me).  I am, of course, appalled
because I know that people are in need all year round, yet even those in these
unpleasant circumstances get caught up in this holiday "rush" to be provided with  numerous frozen turkeys, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce and apple pie for the
Thanksgiving holiday, and later to make sure every homeless or poverty level
child receives new toys and mittens.

Now, I agree that we are called to serve our fellow humans, and making sure
children and adults are feed and warm in this colder northern climate is an
important obligation we have as caring people.  But this seasonal philanthropy
puts our most needy clients in the position of scamming the system for all they
can get...and I am NOT condemning this.  I understand why a mother with hungry
mouths to feed will happily take a turkey from three different organizations or
food pantries.  This means she can provide meals high in protein through out the
winter months.  A 12 pound turkey can provide at least three meals for a family
of five...even more if turkey soup is made from the carcass and giblets.

In the past week, I have solid knowledge of over 4,000 turkeys being distributed
on Staten Island alone. 

Today at the Food Pantry we had over 135 families show up.  Some were there to
pick up a reserved turkey; some were there for their regular appointment;
still others were there because they heard that extra turkeys would be given
out.  It was utter chaos.  Our regular registration crew was overwhelmed.  The
clerks behind the counters were run ragged. The line manager was cursed at and
maltreated by new clients who just "showed up" to get their turkey...the one they
were entitled to.

Those of us in the Soup Kitchen agreed to stay open an extra 15 minutes...which
quickly turned into half an hour, to feed more folks.  When we finally had to
close since the cooking crew had been on their feet for a full five hours, we
were sharply criticized and chastised by a new client for not doing what he
perceived to be our job...that is to feed the rest of the folks on the pantry
line. Rationalizing with him was just not to be, and I nearly lost it...okay, I
did lose it, when accused by said stranger that I did not care about hungry
people.  I pointed out that we feed hungry people 52 weeks a year, not just on
the Saturday before Thanksgiving, but he was having none of it. We were not
living up to his expectations of how a church should operate, and there was no
convincing him. In my frustrated state I just walked away.

Could we have done more? Perhaps, but we also do this work all year long....not
just for the holidays, and maybe that causes us to become more cynical.  And we
don't turn anyone away during the time we serve.  I guess we are just not on the
same schedule as seasonal philanthropists who might be appalled at our
behavior...but we toil in this vineyard all year long. We do not pick and choose
when we want to come.  We answer the Gospel call each week: rain or shine, snow
or sleet, oppressing heat or bitter cold....how about you cut us some slack over
the holidays?

Convention Thoughts...just sayin'

The past weekend I attended our annual Diocesan Convention at a Hotel/Conference Center in Tarrytown, NY.  There were over 200 lay and clerical delegates gathered together to review expenditures, set policy, vote for alternates to our national church's General Convention next summer, and review and pass resolutions that will guide our work in the coming years. It is also a time of renewed fellowship and checking in with old friends and just generally "catching up". Who has moved since last we met? What are the kids up to? Who is transferring to another parish? What will the hot-button topics be this time around? And, I would be lying if I did not include the fact that lots of schmoozing and glad-handling goes on as well.

As in any convention,  many participants were reading their convention material and filling in their vote tally pages in the serious manner appropriate to good conventioneers.  There were others who spent a great deal of time reading novels, knitting, (I admit, I brought my knitting with me; a good way to assure you will be warm during the speeches and presentations) and many others having side-bar conversations that had nothing to do with the reasons we were gathered together. 


But the one thing I found fascinating was the difference between how people behave at a Eucharist celebrated in a traditional setting, i.e. church or chapel, and a decidedly non-traditional setting, specifically a hotel ballroom/conference room.




Just a few random observations in no order of importance:






1. Unless you are a  hungry toddler, snacking during Mass is not a good idea.  Clergy chewing granola bars during the celebration of the mass just seems a bit off.

2. I will admit that the room was a bit chilly, but drinking hot coffee during the service might not be a good choice. Next thing you know we'll be finding empty juice bottles in the choir stalls.

3. Making change from the collection plate is a little tacky....just sayin'.

4. Doing needlepoint, crocheting or knitting during the Eucharist keeps one from focusing in on what is important.

5. Either turn off or don't answer your cell phone during services....that is just good manners.

A final thought, if  folks who are perceived as being leaders of their church communities have become so lax in their demeanor during solemn time, how can we expect others in our home congregations to behave better?

Pride in Product

Pride in Product

Recently I had to replace the detachable key board that I had been using with my I-Pad mini for the past year.  Several over-used keys went kaput: "SLTNR-E" in particular...the "Wheel of Fortune" letter suite that they always include with the final puzzle. At first they would merely stick and appear on the screen after a few agonizing seconds.  They just completely disappeared from the screen all together.  Time to get a new keyboard.

So I returned to the AT&T store in the Staten Island Mall when I purchased it in the first place.  Well, to my dismay I fell three weeks outside the one year guarantee time, so I did not qualify for a cost-free replacement.  However, the young salesman did get me a copy of my receipt and the phone number of the manufacturer of the keyboard.  I would have to contact them and see if I could get a suitable replacement.  The salesman was a bit confused when I mentioned in passing that I was reluctant to purchase another keyboard at $89 from the same company whose product conked out a little over a year after I purchased it.

So I went home and made the call. A very sweet salesgirl on the other end was more than happy to sell me the same model at the hugely(?) discounted rate of $85 plus tax and shipping.  She did not seemed concerned when I mentioned that I would not be buying the same model since it died a premature death after a year's use. She then offered me one of what she claimed was a "better quality"
for twenty dollars more.  I said, "No thanks"' and decided to return to the mall to check out alternatives.

My first stop was at one of those middle-mall kiosks that was run by the same company, just to check out what this newer model looked like. I explained my dilemma to the young man, a sales representative for this company who asked me why I just didn't say I did not remember exactly when I bought said keyboard....in essence he told me to lie to his employer in order to get a free keyboard...a faulty one in my opinion.  When I said, "So, you are telling me to lie?"  He replied, "I am telling you to bend the truth."  I may be getting older, but I think "bending the truth" is still lying.  He also admitted that the keyboard I bought had "issues", but was willing to sell me another one for $99.  I said, "No thanks".  He shrugged and turned away.

Next stop was the Apple Store.  I was directed to a nice enough young salesman who told me that Apple no longer sells the model I had purchased a year ago. "Too many problems.", he said.  Ya think!? He showed me another one they were recommending this year that cost $100.  I indicated that I would not pay that much, and I left the store...a bit frustrated.

I went back to AT&T, only to be chastised by their young sales manager: " If you want the best keyboard for your mini, you need to get a stand alone"' he admonished me. "I am very fussy about my technology; it has to be fast and the key board has to be portable so I can carry it around.

I told this guy that I wanted one that could be folded with the screen.  He also implied that the one I had purchased from his store the year before was, well...crap.  He recommended the same one the Apple guy wanted to sell me for $100.  I was getting a headache.

I went to another mid-mall kiosk where the young salesman told me that he did not have an appropriate one3, but another store in the mall was having a sale on the keyboard I was looking for.  I went there and discovered a very nice Bluetooth keyboard reduced from $89.00 to $9.80 including tax!!!

He said they were changing models, and the new ones would be in by the first of  December...and at this price, I should think about buying two in case one stops working. I bought one.  At least this sales guy did not try to convince me to buy a "superior" model.  He only had one. 

But one thing that has caused me concern is the  overwhelming opinion that shoddy workmanship is a built-in factor in all pieces of the consumer economy and the deliberate early obsolesce of all technological devices is an expected part of that part of the economy. I remember a time when manufacturers were actually proud of the durability of their products.  I remember when "Made in
America" meant that the tool or dress or television or car you were buying was made with quality materials by skilled craftspersons.  I understand that we live in a world economy.  I understand the Wal-Marts of the world have made this globalization of shoddily made products too cheap for many to pass up, and they pay their workers third world wages to boot.


Sigh, I wonder if this is the "Brave New World" our elders dreamed about....I doubt it.