More Americans relied on food banks during the pandemic than ever, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. From March through October of 2020, through its various affiliates, Feeding America distributed an estimated 4.2 billion meals, representing about 60% more than the same time period the previous year. About 40% of those were first-time users.
Whether it’s through national efforts like Feeding America or local efforts like a community fridge, efforts continue to feed those in need. The success of many of these efforts depends on financial and food donations as well as volunteer support.
One volunteer at a small church food pantry that distributes fresh food and canned goods once a week has seen a steady supply of donations that so far has matched the demand from the steady supply of individuals and families visiting to acquire food. The volunteer, whom we’re calling Graham, spends two hours every Thursday helping to organize donations and another two hours on Friday distributing food to those who queue up.
Often, there is an abundance of a particular type of food at Graham’s pantry which he or his family has used at home. “Is it wrong,” Graham asks, “for me or other volunteers to take a loaf of bread, some fruit, or some canned goods at the end of our shift for our own use?”
Graham is retired and single. He receives a pension from a city job he held for a few decades. He is old enough to also collect Social Security benefits and receive healthcare through Medicare. He rents a one-bedroom apartment that is within walking distance of the food pantry where he volunteers. While his income is modest, so are his expenses and he’s never found himself short of money to pay his bills or to feed and clothe himself. He is not among the target clientele of the food pantry, although the organizers of the pantry make a point of not turning anyone away and not asking for any sort of proof of need.
But Graham’s is a question that gets asked often: Is it OK for volunteers at a food pantry to take home food for their own use?
On the surface, it might seem that “no, that’s inappropriate,” would always be the right response. But if there is food remaining that is perishable or might not be usable by the time the pantry opens its doors the following week, it seems wise for volunteers to use it rather than to see it go to waste.
Taking canned goods or other items that might remain usable by the food pantry clientele for a longer term seems inappropriate. The goal of volunteering shouldn’t be to get a little something for yourself, but instead to make sure to get stuff to those truly in need.
Food pantry organizers should make clear to volunteers what the pantry’s policy is on removing donated items for personal use. Sometimes volunteers might also be among the clientele, but when they are not, then making clear that taking stuff home is forbidden so they can spread the resources as widely as possible to others who need them is the right thing to do.
Jeffrey L. Seglin, author of The Simple Art of Business Etiquette: How to Rise to the Top by Playing Nice, is a senior lecturer in public policy and director of the communications program at Harvard's Kennedy School. He is also the administrator of www.jeffreyseglin.com, a blog focused on ethical issues.
Do you have ethical questions that you need to have answered? Send them to jeffreyseglin@gmail.com.
Follow him on Twitter @jseglin.
(c) 2021 JEFFREY L. SEGLIN. Distributed by TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
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