Saturday, October 18, 2008

Some snippets.....

During this time of year we have an organization that puts bins at both the entrance/exit doors of the building where I work for the purpose of accepting food donations. The organization then transports them all back to a central location and they are distributed....probably after being checked over first to make sure the food is acceptable.

I have a couple stories concerning this. We've been getting in a lot of donations and the bins are over-flowing....which is really good, especially during these hard times. It makes your heart swell to see such an outpouring of compassion.

Well, we have a certain resident in the area who is quite colorful, to say the least. The other day she walked in and helped herself to several choice bags of food and started to leave the building. She was intercepted and kindly told that these items are for the needy and she said that she certainly was needy. Then it was explained to her that they had to be taken back to a central location before being distributed and if she would contact that organization, then she could get what she wanted from them. She reluctantly agreed and put back the bags. None of us really think that she qualifies but that will be up to the organization to decide.

The second story is just plain sad and will make you angry. A lot of people put food in those bins that is expired. A woman called one of the offices (thank God I wasn't the one to take that call) and said she was bringing up a lot of food but wanted to know how fast it was going to be distributed because it had all expired....some just expired and some up to a year. The employee who answered our phone got it across to her that why in the world did she think that just because someone was needy, that they deserved to eat expired food? The woman argued that it was perfectly good as long as it didn't sit around too much longer....then our employee said....then YOU eat it. HA. I love it!

I'll end this post with a warning. A friend of my grandson's cashed his small paycheck at a convenience store a couple days ago. When he got home he was looking at the cash and thought some of it looked a little odd. Come to find out.....$120 of it was counterfeit. All twenty dollar bills.

From what we are finding out....but I don't have 100% of the details....if you get counterfeit money, you are stuck with it. No bank is going to change them for good money. You might be able to get the business you got them from to change them out.....in good faith if they want to keep you for a customer...but it would certainly depend on the business. And...of course, if you can PROVE you got them from there in the first place. For the most part the business doesn't want to get stuck with them either. So you should make a police report, of course, but don't plan on getting your money back. Cash your paychecks at a BANK. You are not going to get counterfeit from a bank and on the off-chance that you DO, they will replace it if you can prove you got it from them. (so check your money right as you get it) Remember, the 20's have that strip embedded in them.

In these times, we are going to be hearing more and more about stuff like this. Matter of fact, anything that isn't nailed down probably will be stolen from you. You can purchase a counterfeit detection pen very reasonably at any office supply store. You make a mark on the money in question and if it turns a certain color, then its not any good. We should all have one of these pens on us so we can check. Make sure you check your change very carefully. With the excellent capabilities of today's printers, a really good copy of money can be made. Professional counterfeiters don't fool with twenty-dollar bills, but that's what's showing up now. These people are amateurs with good computer equipment and I guess they figure no one really scrutinizes a small bill and they'll get away with it easier. Their thinking seems to be correct. Be careful.....its a jungle out there!

12 comments:

Mama Llama said...

There was a wonderful story, I forgot on what radio news program, here locally in DC. A professional chef opened, with the help of a church, a place to serve the homeless of DC a good, healthy, well-cooked breakfast. They get good food donations from all over the place and the church with which they are associated donates money to help keep it going. The word from those who eat there? They feel like they can do anything. Go get that job. Go be someone. Amazing what good food in your system can do for you.

Those are the stories that renew faith in humanity.

Be well, Val.

Joy Des Jardins said...

That counterfeit money is just the pits Val. That just wrong. It sure is a jungle out there...and we're all being ripped to shreads by animals. It's a very sad commentary....

SOUL said...

that sucks-- all of it-- sure seems the losers are sure sneaky tho eh?

hope your saturday was good-- i slept mine away--- but friday was extra long :))

Heather BT said...

Tagged you on our Blog
Heather BT
Http://adoptakid.blogspot.com

Jamie said...

No time to read, but I wanted to tell you that I have missed you and will be back to get caught up with you soon. Is the coffee on? Hugs and happiness today. And that's an order! :)

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

this was an excellent post especially with the holidays around the corner and more desparation too..you should have this published..this was a fantastic post about real reminders! :)
Thank you Val!
Elizabeth :)

Moohaa said...

I used to be one who would go thru my cupboards and give what I didn't want anymore (never expired at least). But after waking up and being needy myself, I now buy new food and good stuff that I would want to eat. Not just crap. Shame on that lady.

That stinks about the counterfeit, holy cow! "What is this world coming to"?!

fiwa said...

Sad stories about those food bins. We have one up too, but so far it has almost nothing in it. Of course, I can't talk because I haven't put anything in it yet either. :(

That poor kid with the counterfit money - how sad for him. He probably doesn't even have a bank account... I can remember being in that situation when I was younger.

Cheryl said...

Great post, Val. It's inspired me to set up a bin at work for food donations. I know I have stuff that I just don't use and should donate before it expires.

Karen said...

How disgusting of that woman to think needy people don't deserve to eat decent food. There but for the grace of God....Some people need to remember that we are only a bad choice away from being needy ourselves.

Real Live Lesbian said...

Good warning there on the counterfeit money! It's something I don't even think about.

As for the jerks to the needy...I just have no words.

Anonymous said...

Most of the people associated with food distribution to the needy would take cash over food, any day. It allows them to purchase the types and quantities of foods that are most needed. It may be that the "empty bin" signifies that people are contributing money, instead!
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