At our parish, we have two charitable giving areas in the vestibule of the church. Two good reasons: They are a reminder and a convenience for people who want to give without being a burden. On one side of the area are two, large baskets for non-perishable food stuffs that is collected and distributed by the St. Vincent de Paul group. On the other side is an in-parish donation box for 'pennies for Heaven'. The idea is that people can empty their pockets of loose change, such as pennies, and the pennies add up and go to benefit others. They have both worked out wonderfully over the years.
The years, however, have brought about changes. People from the surrounding neighborhoods have been using the food donation baskets for what they might deem 'shopping' when, in reality, they are stealing. We have one 'regular' visitor who has been counseled to check in with the office and get on the distribution list if he needs food. He continued to raid the baskets even bringing along a grocery bag. He is quite forward about this and will do his 'shopping' even when parishioners are in the area. He has also helped himself to change from the penny box, too.
I actually witnessed this, one day. I was standing right by the food baskets and he comes into the vestibule, goes over to the baskets, and is quite disgusted to not find anything in them. He checked the penny box on the way out and, again, was angry to not find any change.
I noticed that the baskets are now gone and a sign directs us to bring the food stuffs directly to the church office. The penny box is also gone and takes with it a beautiful idea because people put greed over something lovely.
What really annoys me is that some parishioners do their 'shopping' from the baskets! Does the world 'steal' no longer carry and stigma? Judgment Day will be a shock for all of us because we all have glossed over what are, in actuality, sins. One can't obtain ultimate forgiveness for stealing until reparation is made. You have to wonder how these people perceive this 'help-yourself' attitude and do they realize they are not only stealing from the church but from the people who really need the help that comes from the food baskets and the extra pennies fund.
I was glad to see both items for donations put within the safety of the church office. The regular 'shopping' gentleman paid a visit today and he was very angry. Entitlement seems to be second nature to many today.
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