The idea of this program is wonderful, to gather ("glean") still edible food from retail and distribute it to the hungry. It is just not distributed in a pleasant manner.
I took a friend of mine to the distribution yesterday at the Ramona Flea Market. It does not say on their website, but you are supposed to go at 9:00 a.m., pick up a numbered ticket, and then they tell you to return at noon for the food. Makes sense, but it doesn't work that way.
Arrived back at noon and no volunteers were around. Others waiting told us to just wait with the other 500+ people who showed (my friend's estimate was 800 people). At 12:30, after waiting in no shade, the volunteers came meandering up. The hold-up? A 30 minute "prayer vigil for the poor and hungry." Not very well thought out, should have been held prior to the starting time in my opinion. After the prayer vigil, the "man in charge" came up, stood on a box, and then proceeded to lead a group prayer of thanks for the food and to save those who needed it. Very inapropriate.
Most people who showed up did not know of the number system and were not pleased when they started calling numbers. A lot of pushing, shoving and complaining commenced and the volunteers seemed to really enjoy the show. No one, not even the self-identified "man in charge" with his Starbucks coffee, hobnobbing and joking with the people, seemed to take control or even attempt to diffuse or calm the situation.
All in all, it was a very frustrating and upsetting situation and my friend received 4 pkgs of bagels, 1 pkg ea hot dog & hamburger buns, 2 loafs of bread, a head of lettuce, 2 moldy tomatoes and a small bag of sprouted potatoes. The bread items were still good (expiration date was today) but it will take work to make the tomatoes & potatoes edible - no complaints though in that department.
My advice? Get the rules straight and let people know about the ticket system. Have the volunteers start on time and have someone organize it better... read more
