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That church potluck in Tulsa changed how I see charity work
I went to a potluck at a church in Tulsa last Saturday, and it was supposed to be a nice get together. But the whole thing turned into a argument about whether they should give cash to homeless people or just hand out gift cards. One guy said cash just feeds addictions, and a lady said gift cards are controlling and rude. I saw four different people walk out because the tone got so heated. It really got me thinking about how even good intentions can cause fights in places meant to bring people together. Has anyone else had a charity project blow up like that and found a way to keep things respectful?
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kim_nelson5d ago
Oh man, that's exactly the thing that gets me. We get so caught up in what WE think is best that we forget the actual people we're trying to help are right there. Like, how hard is it to just ask a few folks what they'd prefer instead of guessing and then fighting about it? I mean, even a simple sign-up sheet for ideas or a quick chat outside the shelter would probably solve half the argument before it starts. And honestly, if we can't trust people to make their own choices about a $10 gift card, then maybe we're not really helping them, we're just trying to feel good about ourselves. It just seems like the second we bring cash into it, everyone's projections and fears take over and it stops being about the person in need.
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