Have you ever bought a stranger's groceries?

Have you ever bought a stranger's groceries?

  • YES

    Votes: 36 31.3%
  • NO

    Votes: 62 53.9%
  • Thought about it

    Votes: 20 17.4%

  • Total voters
    115
One time I was in a long line at the post office. An elderly woman couldn't pay her post office box bill. She was really upset about it but there wasn't anything the clerk could do. When it was my turn I told the clerk I wanted to pay for the lady's p.o. box and to call her and let her know the clerk made a mistake and that the box was in fact paid up for the next 6 months. Later I kicked myself for not paying for the full year but I didn't know who the lady was or her box number so couldn't. The clerk started to cry when I paid for it. I often think of that lady and hope she ended up okay.
 
For the kiddos, a church-goer and gas for a complete stranger. The last one was a really emotional one surprisingly.
 
A couple of years ago when my wife was alive, we went out one night to a local sports. At that time, we didn't go out much as she had to use her walker and portable oxygen unit. But she was a devoted Astros fan the wanted to get out and see the night game.

We sat at a table near the bar as the place was packed and tables near the big TV were all taken, but we could still see the game. We ordered a chicken thing to split and a couple of diet Cokes and watched the game. When we asked for the bill, the waitress said "it was taken care of" (to my surprise). We asked who paid for us, but no one volunteered the information. We felt a little embarrassed that we could not thank the person that bought our dinner.
 
Charitable acts activate our brain's reward centers. The science is cool. Google "Philanthropy Brain Imaging", "Neuroscience Philanthropy". "Studies using an MRI showed the “reward system” of the brain activated when subjects made charitable donations, at the same level as if they had won a monetary award for themselves."
 
Interesting thread. I have thought about it a few times. Perhaps time to do it and feel the results.
 
After a dinner out one night hubby had leftover pizza. We were going out walking around town after dinner and didn't want it to go to waste. He had it boxed up, then we walked over the the area where the homeless camp out and gave it to them.

We paid it forward in a fast-food place one time when someone paid for ours. That was such a surprise and fun!

When I have excess produce from my garden I take it over to the local food bank. Often they think I'm coming in for food and are very surprised I'm actually donating fresh produce.

I volunteer with the local food bank regularly. Sometimes I register clients for a food pantry, sometimes I sort through food donations and help organize it (challenging!), and sometimes I participate in an assembly line of volunteers who make up "backpack" bags of food for kids. The kids get these on Fridays at school and it helps supplement their food intake over the weekend.

There are so many opportunities to help make a difference.
 
I pay for others occasionally, but not often TBH. I have not paid for groceries other than to help them with correct change, back when I carried change in my pocket - usually don't anymore.

My favorite was randomly paying tolls for me AND the car behind me back when there were people taking the money. The car behind would often race to catch me to wave thanks or give me shrug. And yes, I know the toll taker might have pocketed the money...
 
....

My favorite was randomly paying tolls for me AND the car behind me back when there were people taking the money. The car behind would often race to catch me to wave thanks or give me shrug. And yes, I know the toll taker might have pocketed the money...
My friend Tommy and I did that on the Garden State Parkway one day 42 years ago. It was funny to see the reactions.
 
Just to throw shade on some of the posts....

The 'pay it forward' means nothing IMO... so, someone before you will spend money to buy what you ordered... and then YOU spend money to buy somebody else's food... you still paid for food!!

I do not see how that makes you feel any better than paying for your own...

I asked the other day the checker at the grocery store if many people complained about higher prices.... he said it was funny that some people who look 'rich' do... but some will have $400 cart that do not will not say a word.. there is no way to know the financial ability of the people... my mom looked like a poor little old lady but had plenty of money for what she needed...

As always YMMV...
 
Just to throw shade on some of the posts....

The 'pay it forward' means nothing IMO... so, someone before you will spend money to buy what you ordered... and then YOU spend money to buy somebody else's food... you still paid for food!!

I do not see how that makes you feel any better than paying for your own...

I asked the other day the checker at the grocery store if many people complained about higher prices.... he said it was funny that some people who look 'rich' do... but some will have $400 cart that do not will not say a word.. there is no way to know the financial ability of the people... my mom looked like a poor little old lady but had plenty of money for what she needed...

As always YMMV...
Right.
And I have no idea how they vet the folks that come to the local charitable food pantry in my town, but I assume they do...
 
Yes. Once.

I was behind a lady who had a problem with every card she tried. So I asked how much her bill was, it was about $40. Not a huge tab…I handed my card to the cashier and told her I would pay for it.

The lady was very appreciative, so I just suggested she pay it forward when she could. If she doesn’t, no big deal….

I would do it again if I saw someone maxed out on their cards. Life can be tough. I am lucky to be blessed at this point in my life…
 
Right.
And I have no idea how they vet the folks that come to the local charitable food pantry in my town, but I assume they do...
LOL, they do not as far as I know...

If you remember WAY back when they had free cheese... there was this girl at work who was very upset as her 'rich' father went and got some!!! (her description of rich, I have no idea)...

Except for my car I could probably pass for someone who needed help... DW is always complaining about how I dress... shorts and T shirt most of the time...
 
Right.
And I have no idea how they vet the folks that come to the local charitable food pantry in my town, but I assume they do...
I work in social services. Most food banks do not vet participants. ....and as others have notices, level of need can't be inferred by dress, social status, vehicle, etc...
 
Right.
And I have no idea how they vet the folks that come to the local charitable food pantry in my town, but I assume they do...
I work in my church food pantry every Tuesday. Our vetting question is simple -- "Do you need food?", because, in Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus told us to feed the hungry, not first ask whether they "deserve" it. And I have found that the vast majority of those who come to us are not scamming the system. If they still have some things at home that we gave them last month, if I ask whether they want some today, they will say "No, I still have a little left." They know how hard it is, they know we have limited supplies and they know that others might have none of that thing, so they leave it for the needier ones. It is eye opening to see how precarious is the situation of many of our fellow citizens.
 
I work in my church food pantry every Tuesday. Our vetting question is simple -- "Do you need food?", because, in Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus told us to feed the hungry, not first ask whether they "deserve" it. And I have found that the vast majority of those who come to us are not scamming the system. If they still have some things at home that we gave them last month, if I ask whether they want some today, they will say "No, I still have a little left." They know how hard it is, they know we have limited supplies and they know that others might have none of that thing, so they leave it for the needier ones. It is eye opening to see how precarious is the situation of many of our fellow citizens.
I agree no vetting needs to take place at a food pantry. Thanks for your help and supporting a great cause.
 
I work in my church food pantry every Tuesday. Our vetting question is simple -- "Do you need food?", because, in Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus told us to feed the hungry, not first ask whether they "deserve" it. And I have found that the vast majority of those who come to us are not scamming the system. If they still have some things at home that we gave them last month, if I ask whether they want some today, they will say "No, I still have a little left." They know how hard it is, they know we have limited supplies and they know that others might have none of that thing, so they leave it for the needier ones. It is eye opening to see how precarious is the situation of many of our fellow citizens.
Well that's good to know.
My local food pantry, Reading Food Pantry
is one of my QCD recipients nowadays and I'm reasonably sure they are doing a good job and not being scammed...
 
I work in social services. Most food banks do not vet participants. ....and as others have notices, level of need can't be inferred by dress, social status, vehicle, etc...
That got me to thinking.... and had forgot about this... WAY back when I was young and my father died I took over his business... exterminating pests... and I was really surprised how many really poor people drove a Cadillac back then (it was 'the best' then)... lived in a really cheap house with really cheap stuff but had a nice car...
 
I work in my church food pantry every Tuesday. Our vetting question is simple -- "Do you need food?", because, in Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus told us to feed the hungry, not first ask whether they "deserve" it. And I have found that the vast majority of those who come to us are not scamming the system. If they still have some things at home that we gave them last month, if I ask whether they want some today, they will say "No, I still have a little left." They know how hard it is, they know we have limited supplies and they know that others might have none of that thing, so they leave it for the needier ones. It is eye opening to see how precarious is the situation of many of our fellow citizens.
I a few decades ago, I was homeless for a short while, and money was short. Had never been in that situation before, I waited until quite desperate before going to a food bank. It was nice that nobody questioned my qualifications of hunger.

Later, I donated back to that food bank, and the Sally Ann that also helped.
 
Our food bank does not turn anyone away. It is a very clear policy. We do try to register participants, though. If they are willing, we gather information regarding what their household income is, or what other services they receive, etc. However we do not require them to give us any information or press them to do so.

I believe the food bank uses the information to help with grants, etc.

There have been a few instances where it is very clear someone is abusing the food bank, but it is rare. Far and above, most who come are in desperate need of assistance.
 
If I did it, I'm sure it would wind up being the "Millionaire next door"....

Flieger
 
Few years ago, I came to Costco for weekly trip with a cash back check about $1200. Those who are not familiar, if you you use Costco credit card, the cash back could be substantial. They mail you a coupon in full and could be used at the check out. They will give you cash back at the checkout. That day, my receipt was about $200. A middle age cashier lady gave me cash back. With the huge line of customers, I rushed out of the store. When got into my car, I started checking the receipt and counting the cash. I realized that she gave me $100 extra. I went back and said something like “ I have problem with the transaction”. She thought I want to start trouble. But when I said she erred at giving me extra $100 and handed it back to her, she had a huge smile and gave me a hug. A guy stood at the checkout who witnessed the whole situation said to me “what you did is really cool”.
 
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So more recently. I was at the Yardhouse in Cincinnati meeting with my younger brother. We were reconciling after decades of strained relations... but regardless. He had ordered a pizza that he only ate a couple of pieces of. When we were leaving he took it as carry out and we ran into a homeless guy a block away asking for food. He reached in his carry out bag and handed the guy his pizza. Yeah it wasn't much, but he was able to help out a guy who obviously needed it. I was proud of him, to see him doing this act of kindness to a stranger.
 
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