Think Before You Give

The Boy Scouts are running a food drive. They've left bags which they hope people will fill with nonperishable food and stash by their mailboxes on Saturday for the boys to retrieve. It's the season when retailers, civic groups and even some government agencies encourage people of means to donate food to the local food bank.

I've always looked at it as an opportunity to clean out my pantry. The canned pumpkin I overbought. The evaoprated milk I mistakenly picked up when the recipe called for condensed milk. The old can of cream of yuk soup. But not this year.

It never occurred to me until I read about a woman who'd done the same. One day her husband lost his job. After a few weeks, she was on the receiving end of generously donated food. Embarrassed as she reluctantly/gratefully accepted the gift, she unpacked a bunch of edible yet unappetizing food her hungry family wouldn't enjoy.

No more pantry cleaning for me. I'll donate the foods my family loves, and send it off with a prayer.