To be really pissed off about my office's attitude towards our food bank donation

[LookingForAHandHold]

Every year we run an office collection for a local food bank. This year we're doing one for families with nothing and young children.

So far im the only one who has really donated. I understand times are tough, but it's £1 for a pack of biscuits in Iceland.

People are making horrible comments too, about the branded names etc and the ungrateful brats who don't deserve it. It's for young children. It just breaks my heart.

I'm so close to taking it all home and donating it myself

So you've already spent £90 of your own money? Are you senior management who can afford this? If not, the senior management team should be donating and setting a good example.

It's really not. It's caring, frustration and disappointment. It's been done with a good heart. The OP is not some rich celeb seeking accolades for what represents a small proportion of their income.

I get the reasons why people don't want to donate, and people shouldn't be judged for that, but I'd be really upset if I heard people saying such crass comments about any donation box, and we are all just human. If people have organised something themselves they are more invested in it. That's all.

Why should senior management donate? I’m sure they pay enough tax to help people out, which is more meaningful than this virtue signalling biscuit collection.

The ‘should’ in all this boils my piss.

@LookingForAHandHold Some people are just mean, I’m afraid, but others genuinely can’t afford to contribute to charity, or would prefer to make their own choice of beneficiary. I do wonder if it’s your employer’s involvement that’s putting people’s backs up, however.
My (public sector) employer clearly facilitates charitable giving e.g. by having a permanent collection point in the canteen, having someone co-ordinate relevant emails, but it’s the employees who choose the charities and the activities. It probably helps that it’s such a big building that no one can tell who is or isn’t taking part.
I do agree that a food bank collection at work isn’t necessarily that practical: I usually go for nappies/toiletries as easier to transport than tins.

The issue is that the OP’s employer is being completely virtue signaling. For reasons mentioned repeatedly upthread.

And the OP is too naive, or sanctimonious, or both to see it. If her employer wants to help the poor why is marketing organizing it?

Surprised at some of the posts here.
OP you are doing your best and that is all you can do.
It is sad when others don't share your views and values. Some people have a giving nature, some don't, some are in-between but a lot of posts are around 'enforced' giving so it sounds like when there is an 'expectation' to donate people don't like the duress.
It is sad as you are obviously a person with a lot of empathy and you want to see everyone pulling together and doing their bit for the cause.
Some people will be derogatory about people having to use food banks as it then justifies their reasons for not donating.
My advice is always give what you can, help who you can, be kind and be a good person. I can see this applies to you OP so just carry on doing your best and try not to let others drag you down.

OP is expecting the others to donate because she has.

People get fed up of being constantly asking for donations. If you want to donate then do so but stop trying to guilt trip folk.

Yes, the employer likely is, and I understand why people don't want to donate, but that doesn't make the OP a virtue signaller - just someone with a kind heart.

OP I haven't RTFT only your comments but I do feel for you
I'm not greatly in favour of charity collections at work but this sounds very low key with people able to give or not as they choose fairly anonymously, and as you say the possibility to make a very modest donation
I'd be very upset listening to the kind of things you describe and would think less of people saying them- not because they've chosen not to give, that's their perogative but the apparent lack of empathy and understanding. Many people are only a paycheck away from needing a foodbank
I think as a PP has said, just keep doing the right thing and ignore what others do or don't do.

It's nice that you want to support this cause, but you can't demand it of other people. Some people may be mean, some may have other causes they prefer to support, some may not have the disposable cash you think they do, others may feel their vast tax bill is contribution enough etc etc etc.
£90 is a bit excessive for a work collection, and I would wonder what point you're trying to prove to be honest.

I'm not virtue signalling. You can all read into it what you want but I have young nieces and the thought of them waking up hungry, especially at Christmas, genuinely moves me to tears. Same as any child. Yes the issue is bigger than I can solve but surely we should all do our best

If you think that this country has an 'excessive safety net', you must walk around with your eyes closed.

Child poverty is a massive issue. It's fine that you don't care about it, but don't pretend that it doesn't exist.

Some people need as much food as they can for their own family but the nasty attitude is ridiculous and unnecessary. I have heard it from people myself so will say things like ‘Well I managed to feed my kids..’. It’s ignorant.

Yeah that's the thing isn't it. We're all so lucky to even have jobs and income. The fact they can speak so badly about innocent children is awful

I find a lot of people make donations especially around Christmas but to their own chosen charity.
If a "donation" is dictated to me, I don't want to do it because it's not freely given. It's been pressurised out of me.
For all anyone knows a person at work could of already sent £19 to the salvation army to pay for someone to get a warm Christmas meal and have a Christmas day or donated or donated to cancer research as a gift in kind nominated in a family members name.
I have 3 children at 2 different schools and they have all donated to the food bank at Harvest festival and also for a reverse advent calendar which I know people opt in place of sending out cards now.

Oh it is... Believe me it is!

No good deed goes unpunished!

OP, you are obviously the youngest, most junior and probably the lowest paid member of staff in the company. As everyone is being so hostile about this initiative, these emails should come from someone more senior, with more authority who won't be upset about the reaction from the other members of staff.

You don't have to justify anything @LookingForAHandHold . It's hard thinking of children going hungry and even harder listening to nasty comments about them. Whatever the company's motives, you are trying to do something good. I had to learn the hard way that we can't control what others do or think, and all we can control is the contribution that we make. Just hold onto that and think of the smiles your donations will bring :)

When the OP pays all the bills for a house, she can judge, and not even then, as charity is a personal choice. As it is, she lives with her parents, has she asked them about their charity donations?

@murasaki I used to be an office manager and if we had such a scheme I'd happily go round and ask, send a few friendly emails.

If it's tinned or heavier items, people might be more likely to buy something on their lunch break while getting a sandwich, than remember to bring or buy something from home.

Why is it inappropriate? People can just politely decline.

I do believe in giving at christmas, but I am personally sick of being asked in work. So far this christmas season we've been asked for gifts and money for womens aid and shelter, donations of prizes for christmas hamper, then asked to buy tickets for said hamper, donations of selection boxes, home made cakes for a cake sale. Then on top of that its secret santa, money for christmas do, money for gifts for management.. it's just too much. I think it needs to stop tbh.

To be fair, we are at almost Victorian levels of child poverty for some families, particularly homeless ones.

Oh and food bank gifts and blankets for a dog shelter!

Yes, we as a household donate a lot and spend as much time as we can volunteering.