elwood food pantry
My oldest son is 20 years old, lives with his cousin and twin sister who are also 20. Him and his cousin pay the rent and bills but they do come up short sometimes on food. He knows we are strapped and still caring for his brother and sisters so he is trying to get by with out asking us. He decided to go to the food pantry today and they gave him some food which was great, what i did not agree with is that they told him he would need to do 12 hours of community service or go to church. Does not the Bible to tell us to give not to receive? I have nothing against church and i myself have donated to the church for the food pantry and other things, yet i did not put stipulations on the items that i donated. The postal service collects once a year for this do they put stipulations on this? This is for the poor and needy, what if they don't have a way to get around? what happened to freedom of religion? what if he was an atheist and felt pressured to go to church to feed his kids. maybe by not telling him he had to go to church, he might see what good Christian's do and just become a christian because he felt that there must be a God to help him out like this. Who ever is running that needs to check themselves at the door, shame on you !
Several years ago I did get help one Christmas from the Morrisset Center. Since then I have helped them every year. This was not required I did it of my own free will. I would not have been able to volunteer at the time between work and child care it would have been impossible. For a Government funded program to insist you go to church? Not a good idea. I don't believe in organized religion anymore. Thanks to a lot of hypocrites and a couple of questionable pastors. I agree that volunteering is a personal choice and should never be forced on a person. Church can be offered but never demanded.
I, for one, am glad that there is a food pantry to help those in need. What is so wrong with them asking people to give back a little? I am sure the majority of people that get help from the food pantry are not employed, is it wrong for them to use a little of their time to help the community in some way? If people cared more for their community and helped out it would be a far better place.
That a food pantry has to get people to commit to attending a church (of their choice) is unconstitutional. Now if this is church run and not a community pantry where they receive no food stuffs except form churches or people that want to donate that know their policy, then fine, But they are not a church food pantry, they are the community pantry, therefore they can receive government food and food from food banks. Are their people that take advantage, sure, there are people that take advantage of every situation that is imaginable BUT their are many that need the help maybe just because their husband or wife was sick and they missed a paycheck, and they are out of food. Or maybe it is someone that is handicapped or shut ins. It is wrong and non Christian to practice this type of policy. If they can bring in proof that they need help that is required, then there should be no strings attached. This is why there is so many people that are not going to church I believe. Because many churches are not willing to help the poor as Christ asked. As far as our family, we will be helping people on our own. I am with Tammy on this one. I am a Christian, but if I see someone in need I will help if possible and there isn't any strings attached. It just floors me that no one sees a problem with a requirement that you get a signed paper from a pastor that says you went to their church. How embarrassing. It is embarrassing enough to have to go to the food pantry. But to have to go to a preacher and get a signed paper after attending their church? Thats it! lets punish the poor, lets make people that are crippled or down on their luck work off that bag of stale food they received. Lets make someone who maybe does not want to attend church around here go. Forget what Christ says about helping the needy and the poor, lets forget the Constitution of the United States. This is just insane. I also will not contribute to anything that is done from the food pantry ever again. You say people want to do these things, then have a volunteer sheet for them to sign up. But it is just wrong to require that they work it off, or have to go to a church if they dont want too. Bunch of tight fisted people. This requirement is just so unchristian like.
you know what your right,they can go somewhere else, and the pantry need not expect any support from me, because i don't believe in strings when it comes to God's work. my child is also in awana and they are taking up cans for the pantry, my child will not be taking any in. with Christmas around the corner all those people should be ashamed of themselves, what happened to it is better to give than receive. also the pantry has been helping the community for along time, and these rules were never there before, sure there are ppl who take advantage and they will receive their just reward, just as the ppl who put in this new rule. if i see a family in need i will give, but i wont tell them they have to come over and do my dishes and then sign a paper to take to their boss. by making this rule they have taken the whole point out of God. Making others attend church or service the community..please!
The Elwood food pantry has been a place of help for the needy of our community since the mid 1980's, But if you have a brain in your head you will know that there are people in our community that are on the take, they always have their hand out and never give back to our community, there is nothing wrong in telling the people who go to the food pantry that they have to pay back hours in service to the community, or by attending the church of THEIR preference. there are 28 in Elwood pick one, all they have to do is attend one Sunday a month, But there again, someone wants to complain because they have to do something. if they don't want to do service hours, they can go to Anderson and get their free Food, with no strings attached.
I know andss, I was also just speaking in general. Several on here said they seen no problem of people having to work for food from the food pantry, and that the people want to. If that is the case then it should be voluntary then. Anyway that is how I see it. And the part with church being an option is just ridiculous. I am a Christian, but to have that as a requirement option to me is wrong.
My post has nothing to do with the food pantry thing. I was only commenting on the guests post because of entitlement programs in general.
then if you think that people want to do these things as far as helping in the community then it should be a volunteer basis. Not mandatory.put a sign up sheet out for those that can or want to give back. To give back or pay back is to do something voluntary, not mandatory. And to be told I could go to church, it would not hurt me or anyone? This is America and we should have the choice of going to church or not. That should not even be on that paper as an option.
This is quite an interesting topic. This paragraph that the guest posted. Is this true? I am not an expert with the Bible, not going to fib.
Not that entitlement programs don't need an overhaul, to at least weed out the fraudulent folks, but how does this relate to how we/gov helps others in need? Or does it at all?
"Actually if you read your Bible you will see that God rarely helps those who help themselves, why, because we will mess things up. Throughout the Bible you will see that God helps those who CAN'T help themselves".
Oh Well. lol I said I wasn't trying to start anything. You may not have said it word for word but you did imply it by saying it in the first place. Whenever a person implies that god says or believes something then that information should come from the bible and that phrase or belief does not! I wasn't putting down your grandma but the phrase God helps those who help themselves is not from the bible. That's all I'm saying. Nothing personal, just trying to keep the facts straight here.
"Once again...God helps those who help themselves!"
Actually if you read your Bible you will see that God rarely helps those who help themselves, why, because we will mess things up. Throughout the Bible you will see that God helps those who CAN'T help themselves.
I NEVER said "God helps those who help themselves" was in the Bible nor did I say that Jesus said that!! I simply said that was a phrase my grandma used to say & it really meant a lot to me...YES it is just an opinion or a person's belief if you want to say. But if you think about it...there are many ways to help yourself, not just physically doing, but positive words or attitudes is quite helpful to a lot of people if they would try it.
And as for your remark about reading the Bible more closely instead of listening to people who don't...well, thank goodness, that is just YOUR opinion too. My grandma was a great christian lady who taught many people in Sunday school in this town for over 50yrs before she passed & so many people say she was a great person & she touched a lot of lives in a positive way.
I am trying to remember this is a forum open to all opinions so I am stating mine as well!
God helps those who help themselves? Not trying to start anything but that phrase is not in the Bible nor did Jesus say that! Perhaps you should read your bible a little more closely instead of listening to others that don't ;-)
"They need to read their bibles and see what Jesus wants us to do."
The Bible can be picked apart and made to say whatever a person wants to be able to justify there actions. Anything from drug use, promiscuity, abuse, all these can be justified if only certain aspects of scripture are used.In Matthew chapter 21 Jesus curses the fig tree because it didn't produce fruit. How many out there are living "fruitless" lives.
Matthew 22 tells us " Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
We are called to love God and each other and all these things will work out.
Also, the church doesn't just mean sitting thru the service. There are many talented musicians, be it drummers, guitar players, singers, etc, they could share there talent during a service or help in the nursery or many churches have power point/ sound systems that some people probably know how to use. Not only may they actually get something spirituallly out of going to church...this volunteer service either in town or church is something to put on a resume/application for those looking for work. Once again...God helps those who help themselves!
Yes, there are many people that definately do need to use the food pantry due to unfortunate circumstances. Then there are those that are too proud to get the assistance and then sadly enough, there are those, that make little or no attempt to help themselves & can carry their Ricker pop, cigarettes, fancy cell phones, etc & EXPECT the "free stuff" because they deserve it. I am not saying everyone is like that, because I do think the majority using the food pantry are doing so because of a true need! I don't see a problem in doing some sort of community service to give back, especially since it is only 12hrs/yr. There is flower planting up town every spring, someone could definately pull the weeds around the trees up town, pretty sure some of the business in town would let someone do some odd jobs if asked. I understand not everyone can phyically do this, but those aren't the people complaining about the give back policy usually, I would bet.
I don't know how I feel about going to church for their giving back, except that they are suggesting it as an option & if you can't or don't want to do anything else, then maybe you should give church a try & atleast give back to God. They aren't telling you a specific church or that you have to become baptised or become a member, simply suggesting 1 hour a month. God DOES help those who help themselves
Yes, the is a big demand for Dr. of Psychology. From working with the elderly, to children with autism. having your own practice. Even a Master's degree in Psychology can help you get into the mental health field. I want to work with people that have anxiety disorders. OCD, Hoarding, PTSD just to name a few. There is a really huge demand with the VA also. Then if you do not want to work in the mental health field you can work for companies and do research. Depends on what field you are interested in. If you are questioning if Elwood needs people for the mental health field check out the parking lot at the Isprire ( the old center for mental health here in Elwood) they are always busy.
Just wondering is there a demand for people with PhDs in Psychology ?? Where will you have to go to become employed in this field ??
Plus on the Christian aspect, Jesus taught his disciples when they went out not to take anything with them, To let the people in the town support them, and if that town did not meet their needs to kick off the dust of that town as they left and better was Sodom then that town. If the ministerial association has decided to take over running the food pantry they should be following what Christ says. And Christ says to give to the poor. He does not require anything else and neither should we. When we had to go last year when my husband got laid off work, it was embarrassing, and it shouldn't be. I will say this much, I will never attend a church in this town that has a pastor that is in the ministerial association. They need to read their bibles and see what Jesus wants us to do.
For your information I am a double major dean's list college student going for my PhD. in psychology. I know from my own life experience of 47 years how close my family can come to being homeless. We do live paycheck to paycheck. One month. that is all it would take for us to not have a home. Two weeks and we would have no groceries. My husband has an eye condition that he could wake up in the morning and be completely blind. It is incurable. If I am going to school to make a better life for my family, and my husband would lose his sight and not be able to work you better believe I would sign up for every government program we could qualify for. One of these days I will be able to support our family and I actually had planned on staying here in town to help people in need here when I get my degree. I could make a ton more somewhere else but there is a need here that is not being met.
i'll tell you what it reminds me of, you may have heard of time sharing, you get a free meal or tickets to a show and all you have to do is sit through their time sharing speech. once when i was young like my oldest, and went to california, i was told i could get a free meal and all i had to do was listen to the preaching of the moonies. i didnt go. then these sciencetology people asked me to take a free personality test and it sounded fun, and those ppl about drove me nuts and kept hounding me with there religion the whole time i was there, it was like two ppl on each side of me and went on and on and on....never again. so see when your doing something in Jesus name and you put a stipulation on it, how do you think God is going to feel about you, when he gave his one and only son to save us?
first of all to that melissab, all my kids know about the time i have supper and if they are here they are welcome to eat.if they get hungry i will feed them and the kid down the road use to say his mom didnt feed him, i said if your hungry come on over and i did feed him, no i do not always have a weeks worth of grub to give them to get by, i have 4 kids at home to take care of, two of which their mother does not pay child support and one who's parent's dont help out either. i take in kids cause i love them, and i dont want any of my kids to feel like they owe me something in return, just like Jesus does. I give to the food pantry when i can. by all means i am no saint but i always have instilled in my children, it is better to give with a glad heart not wanting nothing in return then to expect something back. Kwasaki my son was already volunteering so he just thouhgt it was policy because he had never been up there. I know better. If they could have asked if they would be willing to volunteer your time is one thing, but to tell them they had to or to go to church, WRONG ! my donations are freely given but from now on your all right, i will take care of my own and give to anyone in need if i can instead of depending on this pantry to distribute my goods. and no , he did not have the problem, i do.
I have a question for Tammy, I am curious how does your son feel about being asked to volunteer or go to church. Was he ok with it or was he offended? It seems that throughout this whole thread a lot of people are upset and have voiced an opinion except for the person it is really about.
WOW I'm just amazed at all this.
How could a parent who CANT help her own child out to start with, post such things.. YOU should be grateful that there is
such places for your son to go get help and food to feed him verses standing out on a street corner with a sign like I have seen some do.
OMG so they ask for an hr of community serves to just help out the other needy people.. they didn't ask him to fund anything or
to give back every day.. No they ask him for an hr of his time to play it forward to the community.
And so what if they invited him to the church, maybe it would do him good, but that should be his choice weather he went or not.
If he has such a problem going and getting free food or you have a problem with it, maybe he should find other means to feed him
self or you should find a way to help him.
I think it is good that our kids try on their own, and I'm also glad there are programs there to help ALL and ANYONE who needs it,
but if you get ask for help why not give help.
That's one of the problems here in Elwood, everyone wants something for nothing, and what is that telling our kids.
In stead of putting the system down be thankful your kid had food to put in his belly and tell him the same!!
Some of those other countries are broke because of us and other countries raising import and export taxes and there are numerous other reasons for them being broke, however, we are not talking about other countries, we are discussing Elwood, Indiana. A small town thats a few minutes north of Noblesville. You do not know all the families in Elwod, you do not know their financial situation, you do not know if they are taking care of family that is being hospitalized or in skilled nursing. You do not them personally. If people need the assistance for whatever reason they may have, then give it to them. Your words and the way you represent yourself Watchingu2 is an example of what the OccupyWallStreet movement is protesting about. You have a poor attitude regarding others, and sure emotion based decisions are not always good but your lack of ANY emotion regarding others situations when you dont know them is naive. So, my question is this, What have you done to help people? You are showing just how naive you are. Maybe your still young and thats why??
watchingu2 - you have been once again proving your hipocracy. Jacobs, this person is one that preaches ULTRA conservative thoughts but DOES NOT walk the walk. He/she bitches about the entitlement programs but yet will not answer a simple question about social security benefits. If you are so AGAINST these programs then I would think that you decline your social security payment, or you will when of age right????
You are nothing but hot air!!!!
As an American I feel We can help those who are in need. It makes me proud We as a Country are able to help.There are varying degrees of people in need such as mental,physicle etc. Sure there are some who would take advantage BUT I would rather they get help and slip thru ,to make sure everyone who truly needs help gets the help they need.I do not feel we need to put them on display when you do not know what thier defiencencies or capabilitities are.Someone needs help,we help them, no disrespect or making them feel worse than they already do,just because some ass's want to feel superior. Is everyone that greedy?
Yea...Everybody is one pay check away from living under a bridge. Have you looked around at other countries and see whats happening ??? There broke ??? Why ???
Because they were just helping people as you say ??? You are showing just how naive you are. Maybe your still young and that's why ??
And there are a lot of hard working good people out there that are getting assistance because it is getting harder and harder to make ends meet. But then it seems to me watchingu2 does not care and thinks anyone that gets assistance is looking for a free ride, which is not the case. Sure there are some that do, but there are a lot of hard working people out there that just need help to get by.... But then you would not understand..
Maybe they feel it is helping people keep their dignity. Personally I wouldn't have a problem doing a little work for food. But not quite sure what going to church has to do with it..
Maybe by having people do some community service they feel it is helping them keep their pride?
That was very well put KAWASAKI !! I know I sound cruel about these programs but that said I see nothing wrong with having to go to the street dept. and put a few hours a day for the help. I think it is good for the person receiving help.
It is not good physically or mentally not to do anything.. you need a reason to get out of bed. It seems the programs have become a way to not do anything. My point if you really need help good luck trying to get it. And trying to better yourself good luck. If you don't want to work and have fun and show no responsibilities then you get all you need even a free cell phone. There are way to many people taking advantage of these programs Free Lunch,Reduced Lunch and others that don't need them at all but they qualify for them and they use them !! It is kind of like when Mr.Savage posted the stats on HUD what you see on paper is not what your really getting. Same as the Free or Reduced lunches what is on paper and what we have or 2 different things.
The Coats for Kids are not part of the Elwood Community Food Pantry, they are just using our building. I am not sure about coats for migrant workers, most are probably gone by know. The food pantry does not serve the migrant workers. They are served buy a church in Alexandria.
Coats of Kids is having their give-away tomorrow (Saturday) morning from 9a.m -Noon. A parent must accompany a child for the child to receive a coat. An adult cannot come in and get their child a coat, the child mus also be present. Entry will be through the back door of the pantry on the alley once shared by Wolff's Restarant. The family will go in the back door, register, receive a coat then go to another area to receive hats, scarfs, and glove that closely match the coat.
If there are other regulations, I am not aware. Other than the parent be present with the child / children.
well i never got my two questions answered nancy that were legit that you would know the answers to. will this be required for the kids coats and does this policy appy to the migrant workers?
I like the idea of having people volunteer when they receive assistance. This situation may not have happened the best way, but I as a matter of my own self worth I would want to contribute in some way. Unfortunatly there are so many that abuse the system I think they need SOME of these requirements. When I was little my parents needed help so they went to the trustee. The trustee at the time was very condescending to them for needing help, and they said to get help my dad would have to ride the garbage truck to help earn it. He did and is a better person for it. We have received assistance (WIC, reduced luches) and we have always tried to be involved in the community. Now I make to much money to qualify for reduced lunches but we can't afford the regular luches either. Attending a church can be a good thing as long as it is handled right and one church is not promoted over another. Anyone can contribute no matter your age or abilty, you just may have to get creative to find a way. I think the real problem is when people think it is owed to them and don't/won't contribute anything to society.
I have yet to see any different attitude from you. I disagree with you, you disagree with me. so be it
Jacobs get off the Kick I don't want to help anybody or I am against all programs !!! It is just your way of helping does more harm than good !!! It has ruined lives ,Families.
You disagree with me so I am heartless, mean ,Evil. I will help anybody that needs it...But you are a enabler. I am not !!
Excuses...Excuses...Excuses Just sit on the side lines and watch the world go by.
And Tammy I have the utmost respect for migrant workers. They are good hard working people. There are people in this town out of work but won't travel to find work. They belong in the Excuses Group!! And for migrant's...I don't think our Government should subsidize the work. I would be happy to pay a few cents more for a product so the producer can pay a higher wage to them. With the government subsidized labor it is costing tax payers a lot more.
watchingu2 needs a reality check. Good for you if you have never went hungry or never taken any money from anyone that offered to help you, because you would never have fallen on hard times. Your always complaining about anyone that may fall on hard time and gets assistance. I know people that go to the food pantry that are disabled. But I guess you think that they should be out working even if it would kill them.I also think free lunches helps a lot of families that are having it ruff right now, cause in case you have not noticed WE ARE IN A RECESSION.....Oh and yeah jobs are just jumping out there. That is why unemployment is so high.But I guess you are to busy putting down people less fortunate then you to take the time to watch the news. But once again you have to put the unfortunate down.... That is why you are not taken seriously...
here is another question, does this policy also apply to the migrant workers?
while watchingu2 sits back on his government issued scooter or chair, eating his food stamp provided tv dinner in his hud apartment lol..just kidding...
Find another part time job !! Quit sitting around crying about it !! The glass is half full not half empty. Opportunity is everywhere !!
By the way since you mentioned the Free School Lunch program that is a scam too.
Did you know certain times officials take a count when the student walks in the lunch room in the morning they hand him a breakfast bar. He does not want it but they tell him to take it and put it in a box at the end of the table. So now when you read in the paper that more people need free lunch that's a way to get the numbers up. More Money !! I want to see people successful the more people are successful the better for our country. When something is free people are going to use it. I know of to many people on the free lunch program that make more money than I do or you. They take vacations to Florida,Mexico etc!! But I disagree with you on how to help. I am sure your way has ruined countless lives by giving and not expecting nothing and that's what these people did. People like you think the success of a program is how many people are on it...I do it by how many don't need it!!!!
watchingu2 i quoted the bible not jacobs, no one called you evil, jacobs said you needed a heart and you say mean things...so evil is what this comes down to? read the last bible verse i put on here, and i was not even talking to you. i would say has God freely given to you, and if so, do unto others that you would have them do unto you. As far as a job goes my son works at the hospital and his hrs. got reduced.
It's not mean. I just don't make emotion based decisions. They are usually wrong.
I think it's funny you disagree so that makes me mean and evil. It's also funny you quote the bible about stuff but the one where you can teach a man to fish or give him a fish ?? I would rather teach him to fish !! And just like ANDSS you do not have a clue.
your the manager and as so, i want to know if your going to do the same thing for the coats for kids ? and you keep saying give back, that is not giving back, that is being forced to do something for a service. do you know how humiliating that could be to someone to have to go ask their supervisor or pastor to sign a piece of paper that they were there, so they could recieve food 2 times a month. Pompus people like to sit back and say i control your lively hood. Jesus said "Give to him that asketh thee,and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." Matthew 5:42 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." Mt. 10:8 "But love ye your enemies, and do good, lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." Mt. 6:35 these were things Jesus said, cant argue with that. Have you ever been Blessed by God ? What did he ask from you in return ?
Yes, some do take advantage of the help but what about those who are disabled or elderly or have no means of even getting to church or doing community service? However, they might want to check the First Amendment of US Constitution. Plus, they do not have the authority to make you do community service. I am so surprised that this has not been brought to the states attention.