NYC Mayor Bans Food Donations?

Posted by Jim_Daly Nov 12, 2012

When I first heard the news, I assumed it couldn’t be true, that it was just another email hoax along the lines of the generous Nigerian benefactor who wants to wire me $5,000,000.

But then I read the story from CBS News:

"Glenn Richter arrived at a West Side synagogue on Monday to collect surplus bagels — fresh nutritious bagels — to donate to the poor. However, under a new edict from Bloomberg’s food police he can no longer donate the food to city homeless shelters. It’s the 'no bagels for you' edict."

The story continued:

"Richter has been collecting food from places like the Ohav Zedek synagogue and bringing it to homeless shelters for more than 20 years, but recently his donation, including a 'cholent' or carrot stew, was turned away because the Bloomberg administration wants to monitor the salt, fat and fiber eaten by the homeless."

"Richter said he was stunned. He said his family has eaten the same food forever and flourished."

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has been making headlines of late championing the rising threat of obesity, a significant problem to be sure. You'll remember it was the mayor who advocated for the ban on soft drinks larger than 16 ounces.

But now every food donation will need to undergo a nutritional evaluation?

Common sense is supposed to be the genius of humanity, but lately I’m not so sure.

Is this what happens when government decides to flex more and more muscle?

To ban private food donations not only rejects and discourages generosity and goodwill but also further ingrains in the public conscience the idea that charity is best managed and monitored by government.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Where is the person of prudence?

Where is the reasonable man?

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