Had my groceries disappear out of my car on the way home.

[DainBramaged]

My two favorite no longer available Target bags, one canvas one burlap, bread, Swiss cheese, three Stonyfield 32 oz yogurts, bag of Almond Joy minis for my lunches this week, Olivio, foot long turkey and swiss sandwich from the deli for dinner tonight, corn muffins, pumpkin donuts, bananas, eggs, pancake syrup and a 12 pack of Lipton citrus tea. $44 worth of groceries in total. And the bags had the bread and eggs visible under the light where I was parked.

I work in a town where you don't really have to worry about stuff disappearing. I usually don't lock my doors where I get my lottery ticket, so I didn't tonight. There was a young guy in at the same time I was buying a candy bar, but with with change. Unkempt, and not clean looking. thin dirty jacket and skull rag on his head. He came in the back door almost simultaneously, went out the front into the area where I was parked after the cashier counted his change (OUT LOUD which was embarrassing as hell). He did not look like he was doing OK.


Got my ticket, yakked with the cashier a few, looked at the new Car and Driver, went out to the car, opened the door, and noticed the bags were gone off my passenger front seat. I thought for a couple of minutes, and let it go. Anyone who is hungry enough to steal groceries needs them way way more than I do.


I hope he enjoys the pumpkin donuts.......he needs them way way more than I do. And I hope he shares his good fortune with his friends or family. Even in one of the richest counties in America, we have a lot of people in need, but they get ignored.


Have a nice evening.

[catabryna]

1. People suck don't they?

Well, if you are in the virtual neighborhood... you are invited over for kid-squished meatballs, broccoli rice au gratin and fresh steamed broccoli. :)

eta: Which is another way of saying, good karma will come back to you.

[awoke_in_2003]

127. people do desperate things when they are hungry. nt

[adigal]

2. You are a kind and generous person.

You are right, anyone who steals groceries needs them more than I do. I hope I would act as you did in this situation.
Peace.

[badhair77]

3. Sorry for what happened to you.

Sometimes the loss of trust in mankind hurts more than the loss of the possessions. But oyu have an excellent attitude about it. Peace. Hope you have a backup dinner. :)

[DainBramaged]

5. Campbell's Beef Barley soup, but it will be warm........

I know he needed them, no one else was parked out front, I live where BMW's and Mercedes are the norm not the exception. I am just surprised the cops haven't shooed him out of town, the nerve of him existing......

[badhair77]

48. You're right about there being a need.

He probably is not part of a food bank or daily free meal. Or is there no such thing in your community? The bags were just too tempting.

But good for you with warm soup on a chilly night. I had Progresso Chickarina, although beef barley is one of my favorites since I was a kid. Enjoy.

[grasswire]

52. mmmm beef and barley n/t

[juajen]

111. He just thought they were his Christmas stockings and

what a delightful find for a hungry person. I, too, hope he shared with others in need. Pass it forward, people.

[yardwork]

4. PM me your paypal account? I would like to donate the value of your groceries to you.

Your post made me feel like doing something. I already contribute to my local food kitchen.

[DainBramaged]

7. Donate another $44 to the food kitchen, I will be OK thanks

what a wonderful gesture, thank you very much.

[yardwork]

8. Are you sure? I mean it. I will contribute $44 right now.

[DainBramaged]

10. I do not need it as much as your local pantry does, thank you very much

[yardwork]

25. Done. And while I was online making the gift, I discovered that my recurring donation had expired.

So I signed up for another 12 months of contributions to my region's food bank. So, thanks!

I hope that you have enough to eat this week. If you need a hand, please do contact me via PM here at DU. Your OP made a big impression on me tonight. Nobody in this country should be hungry!

[renate]

108. you are sweet

:hug: :loveya:

[louslobbs]

45. That's way special of you and in honor of that, my partner and I will donate $100.00 to our local

food bank down in Palm Springs in your honor. Pay it forward.......thanks DainBramaged, your response to this moment of misfortune in your day is already being moving forward to do good. Thanks for sharing this.
Lou

[yardwork]

79. Thank you. DainBramaged went without his groceries, so he is the one who sacrificed.

Thank you for paying it forward. That's the way we make change!

[Ishoutandscream2]

58. What an incredible gesture. Very moving

Very touched.

[yardwork]

80. Thank you, but I did little. It was all DainBramaged.

[CrispyQ]

104. Hey, Dain, I will too.

They just opened in a new location a few blocks from me. I'm walking that way later today, so I'll drop off a contribution & a few cans of veggies & beans.

Lot's of good hearts on DU! :hug:

[DainBramaged]

106. A lot more good hearts than black hearts.....

:hug:

[mod mom]

120. nice gesture!

Hat tip to you.

[Texasgal]

38. Very NICE gesture Yardwork!

Wow!

You are an amazing DU'er. I like this very much. :)

[yardwork]

81. You're very kind, but my gesture was small compared to DainBramaged giving up his groceries.

[bluestateguy]

6. Stealing somebody else's groceries is not OK

You should ask if the store had a camera watching the parking lot. It could be easy to nab him that way.

Had he stolen the groceries directly from the store, well that would not be OK either, but it is less of an outrage that stealing them from another customer who uses his/her hard earned money to buy food.

[DainBramaged]

9. I am not vindictive to those who are not as fortunate as me

and that my non-friend is the deference between you and I.


I believe in Jesus and what he taught, and maybe that's why Republicans have so much hate in their hearts, because punishment is better to them than a full stomach.

[Kahuna]

85. Awww, Dain....

:loveya:

[awoke_in_2003]

132. "I believe in Jesus and what he taught"...

I am an atheist who knows the Bible pretty well (grandfather was a minister). If more people lived their lives like the Bible reports that Jesus did, this would be a much better world. Thanks for your attitude about this whole situation.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[beam me up scottie]

14. It could be a homeless person.

My bf passes them every night on his way to work, they sleep under the bridges.

Sometimes he picks up a bag of burgers and hands them out on his way home.

[bluestateguy]

17. And by that logic, the person he stole from could be a working man living paycheck to paycheck

At what point do you say stealing is not OK?

[beam me up scottie]

21. Paycheck to paycheck? Did you read his grocery list?

They didn't rip off his big screen tv or take his car, they stole food and only food.

[bluestateguy]

27. Exactly

You made my point for me.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kelly1mm]

101. Do you really think they inventoried the bags before deciding to take them? nt

[beam me up scottie]

139. Yeah, I do. I think he saw two tote bags brimming with food and was desperate enough to risk arrest.

Didn't you read the op?

When you've got a hole in your belly you do desperate things.

[wickerwoman]

22. Life is more important than property.

Kudos to the OP for being adult enough to recognise it.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[yardwork]

28. Nobody here is saying that stealing is ok. But it's possible to have compassion, too.

Do you really want the thin person in the ragged coat to be arrested for stealing two bags of groceries?

[DainBramaged]

29. Jesus wasn't dressed in satin and gold......

:hug:

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

30. I wouldn't.....

.....I would just want my fucking food back.

[awoke_in_2003]

133. compassion is something...

that is slowly disappearing from our society. I expect these attitudes from republicans, but some of the responses I read here make me sad.

[EC]

99. I suppose if the guy had

gleaned someone's garden, you'd still consider a punishment for the guy?


Yes, it was theft, but worthy of punishment? I'd say staving isn't a punishable crime. And don't say the hunger wasn't the crime, that it was the theft. I swear you sound just like a red in a blue state.

What would you have the guy do? Beg? He likely tried that.

Try to remember there are no absolutes.

[JanMichael]

66. it may not be "OK" to you...but, if you were hungry enough

it might be, eh. Give people a freaking break, dude.

[awoke_in_2003]

129. what is not OK...

is that far too many of our citizens are put in the position of having to steal to eat. Big kudos to the OP for his attitude about the whole situation.

[badtoworse]

11. I've had a few similar experiences

I look at it the same way - I just hope the person who ripped me off really needed what he/she got. The unfortunate part is that if the person had just asked, I would probably have just given it to him or her.

[DainBramaged]

13. As would I

[Gin]

20. almond joy minis caught my eye.....could go for a few tonight

you bought some tasty groceries....sorry you didn't get to enjoy them...

hope the guy who stole them gets the runs...

I am not as kind as you db.. :)

[beam me up scottie]

16. It's not easy to ask for charity.

Especially if the person has worked their entire life and has fallen on hard times.

[WillyT]

15. I Just Gotta Say...

:yourock::yourock::yourock:

:pals:

:hi:

:kick: & Rec !!!

[beam me up scottie]

18. Curse you!

Now I'm hungry... :P

You're one of the good guys. :thumbsup:

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

19. Oh well....

I'm glad you are better off, unfortunately I doubt the person who stole your food cares what your situation and anyone else's is. If someone broke into my car and stole the 50 some dollars of groceries with the money I managed to muster up this week, I'd be fucked. But because I have a car, I guess it would be safe to assume I'm "well off".

[DainBramaged]

24. I am far from well off, that $44 was 2/3 of my grocery budget for the week

but I have an apartment, I have a car, and I'll have to think about those Almond Joys when I'm eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch at work for the 20th+ week in a row.........

[Puzzledtraveller]

55. tell me about it

I'm high on the hog when I can devote atmost $100 in a month to groceries, and well off I am not, just a decent one bedroom apt by some train tracks, a 2007 kia spectra I have a car note on, car insurance and pay as you go phone, utilities, no internet(using my neighbors wifi) no cable, and that's okay, so losing $44 worth of MY groceries would devestate me and really put me back, if a hungry person asked, I would have given him some food.

[rug]

23. Losing those Almond Joy minis hurts.

[Texasgal]

31. I'm sorry that happened to you.

Could you imagine if that happened to someone or a family who spent their last dime on food to get them through until payday?

I appreciate the fact that your okay with it, but the person that took these items had no way of knowing that you could afford the loss. There are so many that couldn't and many that may have gone hungry because of that theft.

Stealing is never good.

I often donate to food banks with food or money. My family also buys a complete holiday dinner twice a year to a family in need.

[ChazII]

46. Thank you for your kindness.

I volunteer at a local food bank at a neighborhood church. The food is free and the families depend on the food box to get them through that week when their food runs low. Thanks to folks like you the food bank is able to stay open.

[Lorien]

74. A person can become so hungry that they would risk their life for food

I don't know if that was the case here, but it sounds like DainBamaged lives in an affluent area and does not drive a beater. If the thief had to steal food to eat than he was in a way tougher position.

[Zanzoobar]

33. I'm curious. How far are you willing to take your attitude?

[DainBramaged]

34. Why does that matter to you?

Queston your own heart not mine.

[Zanzoobar]

40. Well then, why did you post at all?

It seems you're satisfied. I was just wondering how far you would take it.

[DainBramaged]

43. What the fuck kind of a question is that?

Jesus give it a rest.

[Zanzoobar]

47. Suppose for instance that it wasn't your stuff

It was someone else's stuff and you were watching it get stolen.

I understand that it's cool with you if someone de-bags you of groceries. But if you had watched the theft, how would you make a judgement on who needed the food more? The swiper or the guy trying to feed his kids?

What if someone had bonked the pilferer over his head? He might have thought your kids were waiting for dinner.

What if your thief traded your food at a crack house?

It just seems to me you've made a judgement when none is due, either way.

[Posteritatis]

49. It's impressive the lengths people go to to find fault with something around here sometimes, no? nt

[Incitatus]

61. indeed nt

[fishwax]

71. +1 n/t

[Kahuna]

86. Indeed. So sad to turn a generous gesture into a pissing contest.

But then again, that's du for you. :eyes:

[OneGrassRoot]

87. Yes, it is. It never fails. n/t

[JanMichael]

67. let's just say

I can't tell who you are responding to...and you have that option also ;)

One of the great features of DU.

[yardwork]

83. Jesus is a highly appropriate reference here, as I posted downthread.

Jesus taught that if somebody takes our cloak, we should give him our coat as well.

[yardwork]

82. Maybe he's willing to take it all the way to the level that Jesus requires.

I realize that you may not be Christian, and I haven't set foot in a church in years, but I remember the radical requirements of Jesus.

In the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says:
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
—Luke 6:27-31. KJV

[ellenfl]

35. good on ya. publix has some nice canvas grocery bags.

if you don't have a publix, send me your address and i will pick up a couple of bags for you.

ellen fl

[lpbk2713]

73. Walgreen's has the same style bags.

Just for info. Usually around a buck, some times on sale.

[fishwax]

36. I'd be kind of pissed about losing the bags

:hi:

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Brickbat]

39. You have a good and generous heart.

:hi:

[beam me up scottie]

41. We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change...

What It's Like
<~i>Everlast


We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you fuckin' slob's all he replied


God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like


Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love
He said don't worry about a thing baby doll I'm the man you've been dreamin' of
But three months later he said he won't date her or return her call
And she sweared god damn if I find that man I'm cuttin' off his balls
And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin' through the doors
They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore


God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like



I've seen a rich man beg
I've seen a good man sin
I've seen a tough man cry
I've seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I heard an honest man lie
I've seen the good side of bad
And the down side of up
And everything between
I licked the silver spoon
Drank from the golden cup
Smoked the finest green
I stroked the fattest dimes at least a couple of times
Before I broke their heart
You know where it ends
Yo, it usually depends on where you start



I knew this kid named Max
He used to get fat stacks out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out late at night
Liked to get shit faced
And keep pace with thugs
Until late one night there was a big gun fight
Max lost his head
He pulled out his chrome .45
Talked some shit
And wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of this pain
You know it crumbles that way
At least that's what they say when you play the game


God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like

To have to lose...

[progressoid]

53. +1

[awoke_in_2003]

134. That sound like something...

Johnny Cash would write- who did it?

[beam me up scottie]

138. Everlast, from his 1998 album 'Whitey Ford Sings The Blues'

It's one of those songs that gives me chills, and one that's impossible to forget, and yeah, Johnny Cash would definitely approve.

Of course once I played it last night I had to listen to Springsteen's Ghost of Tom Joad in it's entirety.

[awoke_in_2003]

143. I may have to look...

for that Springsteen album.

[awoke_in_2003]

146. Good album, BMUS. nt

[malaise]

42. You're a good person

:applause:

[GentryDixon]

44. My son had his truck broken into

last Friday night. They got two I-Pods, his sons computer, and a jump drive with all his pictures from the time his son was born. That was the killer. Everything else was just "stuff". He cannot replace 11 years of pictures.

He is sick, as am I. I can provide some pictures, but there is no way I can give him back what he lost.

Dirty Buggers.

[JanMichael]

69. your son left all that in a TRUCK

are you serious?

I hope insurance took care of it. I am not going to say anything else. I also hope the next vehicle he gets is a sedan with a trunk.

[Liberal_in_LA]

147. I have a friend who still believes that putting a sweater over valuables in a car is guaranteed

security. Yeah, folks still leave valuables in the car

[JanMichael]

70. edit.

dupe

[leveymg]

92. That really sux. A thumb drive costs about $25. Back up regularly and keep multiple copies

in different places.

[Raine]

50. Lesson ... ALWAYS lock your door! nt

[steve2470]

51. The biggest value in your thread is inspiring others

I'm sorry your food got stolen, but that the other guy got something to eat was good. We can look at it as an involuntary donation, if you will. I would have initially been upset about it, but your attitude is superior to what my initial one would have been. Kudos to you :)

[Bunny]

54. Right now, my store is offering the ability to donate cash to local food banks right at the register

when you check out. So, after reading this thread, I will definitely donate to my food bank (again) when I go to the store tomorrow. It will be in honor of the OP, who was gracious enough to let it slide, and in defiance of the jagoffs, who think it should be prosecuted.

No one in this country should ever go hungry.

[juajen]

112. Or have to be alone, or sleep under a bridge in the cold and rain, or not.

I can't even imagine how lonely that would be.

[12AngryBorneoWildmen]

135. I love it.

Haven't heard the term 'jag off' in a long time.

[12AngryBorneoWildmen]

136. 2 curious

I used and heard that term when I grew up 40 miles north of Chicago. When I went to school 100 miles north of NYC, people were more often referred to as 'jerkoffs'. Give me a clue as to where you grew up.

[BlueCheese]

56. You have a kind and warm heart.

You had some good food in there, too.

I'm too cynical to think that every thief, even someone who steals food, is Jean Valjean, but I do understand that there's a lot of hardship out there right now, and admire your generosity.

[Swede]

57. Jean Val Jean stole a loaf of bread during an economic depression.

Times are tough.

[beam me up scottie]

64. +1

[Jackpine Radical]

114. Funny how that came to mind when I first read this too.

Les miserables indeed.

[Liberal_in_LA]

59. He's gonna eat well tonight. that was quite a haul

[dkf]

60. Reading your list made me hungry...and reminded me that no one should be without food.

Stealing is bad, but I can't be too condemning.

Off to donate to my local food bank...

[DainBramaged]

62. I cannot comprehend the hard heartedness by some here.

I JUST wanted to relate a story of what happened tonight.

Jesus, have some of you become that callous of life? I wake up EVERY day and thank the lucky stars I got another day, and a guy who was way way hungrier than I got dinner.

I think there was a purpose


I don't understand the lack of empathy....

fight amongst yourselves, some of you aren't generous or compassionate. And I'm tired of the hate

[dkf]

65. I think you just helped to feed a bunch of people tonight, not just one hungry kid.

You did good.

[Kahuna]

88. Preach, dkf!

:applause:

[Lorien]

72. You and me both. I'm not wealthy and I am generally working three jobs to

pay the bills (15 hours a day, seven days a week), but I can usually come up with two clients along with my part time teaching gig, which is WAY better than many out there. I would have felt exactly as you did. If they would have stolen the iPad that I usually have with me and not the groceries I would have been upset...but we're talking about FOOD here! Someone was willing to risk arrest for food! That's desperate, not greedy or stupid. Whatever happened to critical thinking and compassion around here?

[yardwork]

84. Hugs to you. You're right, some people can't be reached. Let them fight among themselves.

[snacker]

63. What a kind and generous soul you are! n/t

[flvegan]

68. I read the OP and thought immediately...

this could be an epic DU episode ("flamewar").

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

75. You, Sir, are Da Man.

Lots of vindictive, selfish people here tonight- You're not one of 'em. You did a small good thing in a large bad place, and you'll be twice blessed because of it.

:toast:

[Iwillnevergiveup]

76. Weather getting colder

our hearts must grow warmer.

Good on you, DainBramaged - I'll buy you dinner any time.

[defendandprotect]

77. kr

[nadinbrzezinski]

78. Good news none got hurt

now to the bad news...

No, not the young man doing that, As you said, he probably needs it.

That will only increase, as people get more hungry. That's just the way it is.

Good for you to have that attitude. and bags can always be replaced.

[nadine_mn]

89. A good attitude - sorry for the loss of your fav bags

Favorite tote bags are no joke - we have these AMAZING reusable bags from heifer.org (please consider them for your holiday gift giving - you can give the gift of a flock of chickens, or a goat etc to help end hunger)

We have a huge insulated bag and 2 mesh ones that are sturdy and easily the 3 bags will hold a cartload of food. When I went to order more for a friend, they were no longer on the site and I told my husband. You would have thought I took away his birthday - he was upset for days (claiming that from now on, only approved family members could use the bags - ha!) until he wrote to heifer about getting some more. I think he is going to buy a stash (only $15) and hide them.

Sigh - the remarks of some sadden me. If the groceries were so valuable (as some have hypothesized what if the OP was equally poor and used his last $$ on groceries) then I am sure the car door would have been locked, regardless of the neighborhood.

So get over the what-ifs, the intent was to say that times are so hard food is more valuable than anything else in the car (or even stealing the car itself).

Good for you for taking what for some people is a crime and seeing it for what it was - humanity.

[Ilsa]

90. I hope he shares. I'm sorry you lost your food and bags. Thank you for posting.

It's time for me to donate again to my local food bank. I'm trying to remember to do it every couple of months, alternating with a children's charity, but sometimes I forget.

[closeupready]

91. That was wrong of him, but I'm K&R because I like your assessment of the matter.

It really sucks that people are actually going hungry in America these days. :(

[Major Hogwash]

93. Pumpkin donuts??

Holy moses, now I'm hungry!!!

I can't believe you don't lock your doors on your car when you're not in it.
People have been getting into unlocked cars here for years, even if there are no goods on the seats, just so they can rummage through the glove box looking for anything.

I'm going to donate $44 dollars worth of food to the local food bank this week because of this happening to you.

[leveymg]

94. KNR for someone with a good head and heart.

It'll come back to you many times.

[a simple pattern]

95. You're a nice person.

I hope your kindness is returned to you many times in your life.

[bertman]

96. REC. P.S. Is that a photo of Bill the Cat when he was a kitten? ((-: nt

[Zorra]

97. It's a real shame that our society does not provide readily available

rehabilitation resources for the multitude of drug addicts in this country.

So very sorry about the theft of your groceries, DainBramaged. It hurts, and it takes awhile to get over that awful feeling of being violated, and all the other sad feelings that are evoked from an incident like this

What is doubly sad is that you would have given the guy some food or money if he had asked you.
:hug:

[LiberalArkie]

98. I have had that happen to me, I felt good that I could help someone in need.

As Jesus said what you have done for others is what you have done for me.

[droidamus2]

100. You're right

Sometimes you have to think about the needs of others over yourself. I have been unemployed/underemployed for 3+ years (had a period of trying to be self-employed before that but it didn't work out). I am lucky enough that my two vehicles are paid for, B of A hasn't managed to kick me out of my house yet and I have a couple of good training/job prospects in the works. Still I am getting food stamps and heating fuel aid and unemployment so I obviously am doing alright but not great. A guy came up to me in the parking lot at the local dollar store asking if I could spare some money so he could get gas and look for a job. My initial reaction was to point out that I was unemployed too and didn't have any money. After talking to my wife we decided that even in our current financial state we could at least gather up all the change we had in our pockets and the car, so we did that and found the guy walking sown the street and pulled over and gave it to him. He thanked us and pointed out he had been looking for work for awhile and wasn't having any luck. Boy can I identify with that. Wish I could have done more for him but maybe just people showing that they care a little bit will help him out.

[lonestarnot]

102. Gawd, so sad. I would rather give them away. Did they tear up your car?

[Aerows]

103. When you steal groceries, you are desperate

Thanks for being a person that recognizes that.

I've never been hungry enough to steal groceries, and there but for the grace of God, go I.

[DainBramaged]

131. Somehow, someway, there is more than coincidence involved here....

:hug:

[DainBramaged]

105. Because of the generosity of many in this thread, a LOT of people in need will be fed

THAT in and of itself, makes me as happy as knowing the food I lost is feeding someone who was in need.



You don't buy a candy bar with small change if you're driving a BMW. And for those who think this was the crime of the century,


shame.



Do unto others........but you chose to ignore that........

[jwirr]

107. I think when people start stealing food that is when we know that

we are in real economic trouble in this country. Thank you.

[juajen]

109. Hopefully, he will thank you by leaving your grocery bags in the

store, so, check back and tell the cashier to look out for the bags. I am so glad he got some food. Bless you for feeling the same way.

[silverweb]

110. I was burglarized one Christmas years ago.

This was back near the end of Bush Sr's term. My daughter was only 3 or 4 at the time, and we'd gone to my brother's house overnight for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

When we got home and discovered the theft, the items missing were:
1 Christmas ornament off our little tree;
1 new stuffed toy;
1 blanket;
1/2-gallon of milk and every bit of nonperishible food.

Someone with a child, hungry, took only what they needed.

The wrapping paper from the stuffed toy (a gorgeous life-sized white cat) had obviously been torn off by a child and was in a heap on the floor. My child said, "She just wanted a Christmas present, too," and I hugged her with tears in my eyes. She understood even then.

Although we had little to spare back then, I wished I'd left some cash laying around.

Thanks for sharing your story, DainBramaged. At the very least, you've inspired some new donations to food pantries and help organizations.

[IamK]

113. I hope he likes yogart,,, 96oz's worth...

:puke:

[RainbowSuperfund]

115. Thanks for your big heart. We need more people like you in the world.

Thanks for your big heart. We need more people like you in the world.

[caseymoz]

116. Just hope he had a home in which to store them.

However, for me, on my fixed income, losing $44 in groceries, or $44 period, would be no minor thing. It's true you have to be pretty desperate to steal groceries. I feel sorry for the guy.

[unapatriciated]

117. Sorry dupe

[unapatriciated]

118. Sorry about your lose but love how you handled it.

Many of our food banks are overwhelmed and understocked because of high unemployment .
The grocery store where I work we do not have sales, so pull all our coded perishables a day early. The local food bank picks up daily.

We have a great canvas bag if you want to pm me a mailing address I will send you two to replace those you lost.

I like to take this opportunity to post a link to any soldier. My husband and I pick a unit and send care packages twice a year. The service men and women really appreciate getting them.

http://anysoldier.com/

[calimary]

124. Kick for the anysoldier.com link, as well as the overall subject matter.

[unapatriciated]

144. Thanks We have been doing this since 2003, it is very dear to our heart.

Hopefully we will not be doing it much longer. One of the first units we sent packages too did not have a decent water supply which meant no showers let alone a hot one.

[tooeyeten]

119. at least

you have a good attitude.

[Balbus]

121. Bounce

:bounce:

[Hawkowl]

122. Well done!

I would have done the same. It infuriates and saddens me that in our extremely wealthy country, so many people are forced to suffer for the greed of so few.

[SteveM]

123. I wonder if he/she will just hock them. I agree with your cat. nt

[amyrose2712]

125. Thanks for this. I've been so jaded lately....

It warms my heart to be reminded that there are people like you out there. My mother put out groceries last year for the Postal Food Drive and someone stole it. We felt the same way about it. If they are stealing food, they probably need it. We give a set amount to the Food Bank each pay period(well my BF does, I am unemployed) But, in honor of your understanding, I too made an extra $25 donation to our community food bank today! May peace and love find you where ever you are.:toast:

[mikekohr]

126. Grocery Rapture Perhaps? nt

[rucky]

128. I, too, need pumpkin donuts way more than you do.

[DainBramaged]

130. If I had them I would gladly share them with you

I am going shopping again tomorrow. No donuts this time, medicine bread and rice.......maybe eggs again. Fried egg on toast, yum.

[GreenPartyVoter]

137. I love you for your open, compassionate heart! *hugest of hugs* The world needs more people like ya

[Nye Bevan]

140. For all he knew, your entire family would be hungry for a week because of him.

Why didn't he just take *some* of the groceries, and leave the rest for you and your family?

I guess he's not quite as saintly as some here are making out.

[varelse]

141. I don't think his character

is the subject of this post. I do think you might be missing the point of the post.

[hyphenate]

142. Sorry to hear about it

and yes, there are way too many people out there who need food that aren't getting it. I believe that a person can't get food stamps, either, if they don't have an address--IIRC, that's why a lot of shelters are allowing people who are homeless to use the shelter address for welfare and FS reasons.

Hope you got a chance to get more groceries, and I have to chuckle at the thought of your cashier wondering why you are re-buying all the same things that you just bought. That would be a sight to see. :)

Take care,
Mary

[cwydro]

145. What was the unkempt-looking guy with change buying?

Just curious...