Yes, Beth, RUSerious touched on that possibility. A few weeks ago I commented on another story to the effect that janesvillean is among the most thoughtful and intelligent commentators on this site. And, yes, many of the good things in life are fragile.

I guess the best interpretation of Choc's comment is that giving-back is itself nourishment of another kind.

gazettefan--There were comments on the previous ECHO story that might have contributed to janesvillean's response.

When I worked at the Job Center, one of my coworkers liked to say, "We're all just one decision away from being unemployed. It can happen to anyone." Food for thought.

--Beth

It's reasonable to wonder about the tone and the wording of Janesvillean's comment given that it was in response to only one other comment. Especially since Choc...... asked a reasonable question; a question that was justified by and nicely answered by Beth.

And to MaryFran et al: If being in poverty left someone with no time to help Echo, then who would be helping Echo? Would the help only come from people who have an unusual amount of free time while being employed (at home or otherwise)? This seems impossible in light of the time problems of the poor. Or, does the help only come from retired people and unemployed people who aren't poor (because if they were poor they wouldn't have the time) who have none of the time-consuming problems that the poor have?

I fail to see anything wrong with janesvillean's comments. I read it over several times and it doesn't even seem like I'm reading the same post that the others are complaining about. Either I or someone else has a reading and comprehension problem.

The only part of Jvl comment I see nasty is the choc filled piehole.
These comments seem like facts.
I do agree IF able they need to help volunteer now or later. Earn the free food if you don't have anything else to do.
One more comment on those of us who do already volunteer and work and go to school etc. IT can be done. Find the time to volunteer.

Living at poverty level is a full time job in itself. So much paperwork, so much waiting, so many appointments, juggling the bills and reality of every day life. Very few are "sitting around". Add all that on top of working a job, as most ECHO clients do, raising a family, and trying to take care of yourself.

What janesvillean said might be considered "nasty", but maybe he/she was getting tired of all the "nasty" comments people make about those who need help. I know I am. As if the minute your fortune (or health, or income...) changes, so does your worth as a human being.
Some who comment on these kinds of stories see everyone who needs a helping hand as a chain smoking, hard drinking, wife beating, child producing lazy bum. Those who have a reason to know (those who open-mindedly try to do something to help instead of someone who might occasionally drop something off at a center if someone else is likely to notice) know that this aforementioned "needy" person is only a small percentage of those who actually seek help. Others may be hard working single moms or dads (sometimes through poor planning but not poor character), sometimes elderly widowed or worn out couples or singles, someone from virtually any walk of life who has nothing to fall back on through whatever fate or misfortune befell them. And...many DO offer to give back, through volunteering to work, or donating if/when they are in a position to do so.
Why, why, why are some of you reading these stories if not just to belittle or make fun of someone who needs help?? Are you perhaps the one who left the box of mouse-dropping covered food donations at a local pantry? Are you the one who donated the nearly shredded winter coat wrapped tightly in a plastic bag? Maybe you're the one who handed over proudly the $20 check that bounced? (If you are the last one, and meant well but need help yourself, please don't be afraid to ask...there are some who truely care.) The rest of you, just read janesvillean's comment and take it to heart.

I think the Janesville Gazette ought to dismiss "janesvillean" comments, as it is way too nasty.

janesvillean - your continual hate filled, venomous comments are giving all progressive liberals a bad name. But you must know that already.

Thanks for the simmer-down, bwheelock; I thought I was going to pop an artery after reading janevillean's well-intended comment.

Anecdotally, I've noticed that people who receive this type of service give back once they've completed a program and are back on their feet. This obviously doesn't apply to everyone, but it's a trend I've seen in areas like the homeless count, the YWCA, ECHO, etc. While they're receiving services, it's more of a day-to-day mode. Afterward, some choose to volunteer.

--Beth

There are some people who seem to have no conception of how difficult it is to be poor. You can't just drive up in your Mercedes and grab some groceries. You have to come in to ECHO with your paperwork to qualify. That easily takes two hours counting travel and waiting in line. Then you wait in line for your number to come up on the distribution. This might not be the same day. Meanwhile you have other things you need to do from getting kids to school to seeing your doctor or making sure your Badgercare doesn't lapse. If you're lucky enough to be able but merely unemployed, you have looking for a job or even going back to school on your calendar before you can get back to ECHO. Then you have groceries to get home, whether you have a car, a ride, or have to transfer them all into bags so each member of the family can walk home with one.
.
If you have any remaining illusions about the situation these people find themselves in, ChocolateLover, it would probably be appreciated if you yourself would volunteer and then you can actually see the array of the unemployed, elderly, single parents, veterans, and the disabled who are the recipients of Janesville's generosity. It might help you reconsider how condescending it is to issue uninformed nonsense from your well-fed chocolate-smeared piehole.

Is there any reason why the people receiving the baskets cannot volunteer to help distribute and clean up following the handout event?