Service with vengeance!

"Why do you think poor are poor? Simple, because they can not manage their finances well. Not only that they also make bad choices, they are greedy and to top it all either alcoholic or a drug abuser". I got this whole new perspective in Europe this January. What an insight to begin the year!

And when the social security money that is provided is not enough (these poor fail to manage their finances again), the large hearted, retired people of repute provide them food from the "Food Bank" in various parts of the country. They are large hearted indeed. What else can explain why they serve those they know as ignorant, greedy, drug and alcohol abusers!

The volunteers work hard to put together a basket of food. What do these baskets contain? Food leftover from the local groceries that are nearing their expiry date or are past these. The kind of food, chocolates, candies, biscuits, cookies, condiments, bread and at times milk and yoghurt (ofcourse past their expiry dates). A volunteer complained the fruit and vegetables they provide are generally stale. It is difficult to get these in better condition. She was really concerned. When I talked to the main "man" behind the Food Bank, he informed me indignantly how these poor only wanted sliced bread! Do they get it when they ask? Or a bottle of milk that they need? Or some yoghurt when they want? No prize for guessing! A basket is pre-decided. What you need is no one's concern!

Are these poor dependant on food from these charity institutions migrants? Are they from African and Asian countries? No, most of them are countrymen. Born and brought up in this rich European country itself. And they still fall out of line? Will that help you asking a question or two about how the line was formulated and kept in place? The phenomena has not yet helped their countrymen to ask these questions. And these people are not one or two. They are more than 300 in towns as small as a ward of a municipality in India. So many people who need support for food and the government still does not consider making food part of social security agenda. The opposition parties do not think this can be taken up as an issue. The tax payer thinks she is already giving enough!

If you are travelling to Europe anytime soon...do not visit a Food Bank. It left a bad after- taste in my mouth!

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