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?