- By Matthew P. Binkewicz
- Around Town
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Ask IMOAsk IMOLansing's Advice Column
Dear IMO,
My grandmother volunteers at a local senior citizens center. They often receive baked goods, bread, canned fruit and vegetables and seasonal items that are approaching or have past the expiration date. These foodstuffs are placed out on tables for the seniors to choose from and take home. After everyone has gotten their chance at the stuff, the seniors have a second go round and are allowed to take an extra helping. This is permitted since anything left over goes into the dumpster. Grandma often drops off a “goodie bag” at our home. Is it ethical for her to do this? Should we tell her not to drop off these items since they are not intended for our use?
Just wondering,
Lucky
Wonder no more. The items you describe are ones that would have gone to the dumpster had not they been dropped off at the senior center. IMO has been the recipient of such generosity from my own grandparents. The bread went out to the birds and the seasonal items to the mulch pile. As for the canned goods, they too went to the mulch pile after being opened and contents emptied.
If the center allows its members to take home these donated foodstuffs without any instructions or restrictions, then Grandma is not guilty of any crime. Since these items are near their expiration date, they should be used or consumed as soon as possible. People from my Grandparents’ generation lived through some rough times, especially during the Great Depression. Nothing was wasted. Just look in your grandparent’s basement and count the number of old broom handles stored in nooks and crannies.
Eat or recycle the food items. Do not tell Grandma to stop her deliveries. Thank her and give her a great big hug and kiss.
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