Fast Offerings

[wuapinmon]

bump. this too was a good thread.

[UtahDan]

So here is a question Drum and I were talking about. What happens if based on last night's broadcast bishops everywhere suddenly have dozens (or more) contacts every week seeking help with groceries?

I think the crux of the debate of whether aid provided locally is truly like what other charities do has been on the one hand the fact that help does seem to be available to anyone who asks, but on the other hand the fact that very few non-members know they can ask (it's not like just opening a soup kitchen or food closet with regular hours, for example). If all of a sudden people everywhere knew that this resource existed in their community we would find out very quickly how committed the church would be to providing to a large non-member demand, as opposed to mostly members (which as a practical matter, though not apparently a matter of principal, is roughly what seems to be happening now) .

Would they ramp up to meet the demand? Divert additional funds there, ask for more fast offerings, etc? Or would they place a cap on it and tell Bishop's they had to ration? It would be fascinating to see.

[Indy Coug]

What happens if based on last night's broadcast bishops everywhere suddenly have dozens (or more) contacts every week seeking help with groceries?

I've seen this happen before. Most would decline assistance after being asked to do some work in return for the assistance. A couple took us up on the offer. Will the floodgates open after this special? Possibly, but it will probably be a short-term spike.

[UtahDan]

I've seen this happen before. Most would decline assistance after being asked to do some work in return for the assistance. A couple took us up on the offer. Will the floodgates open after this special? Possibly, but it will probably be a short-term spike.

What sort of work were they asked to do? Is there work available for 100+ people per month? Just my ignorance.

EDIT: Also, is work always required? I don't think the idea that you have to work in exchange was mentioned at all last night.

[SCcoug]

What sort of work were they asked to do? Is there work available for 100+ people per month? Just my ignorance.

EDIT: Also, is work always required? I don't think the idea that you have to work in exchange was mentioned at all last night.

It was mentioned. The couple serving in the BSH said they ask recipients to volunteer in exchange. I think he even said something along the lines of "you don't get something for nothing"

[Moliere]

I've seen this happen before. Most would decline assistance after being asked to do some work in return for the assistance. A couple took us up on the offer. Will the floodgates open after this special? Possibly, but it will probably be a short-term spike.

Yep, people that get assistance have to do two things: (1) meet with the bishop and (2) provide some type of service or seek employment.

Most people have a hard enough time meeting with the bishop to request the help and once they meet with him they find that he actually wants them to do something (beit provide service or meet with a local church employment office).

A short term spike is all that would happen. There is no need to fear there will be a run on the bishops storehouse.

[Indy Coug]

What sort of work were they asked to do? Is there work available for 100+ people per month? Just my ignorance.

We never had that kind of volume, so I don't know if there would be enough work for an extreme number of people. Cleaning the church and getting involved in a couple of community projects we supported were typical of the types of things welfare recipients were asked to participate in. What people were asked to do varied from person to person, depending on their situation and the level of assistance they were receiving.

EDIT: Also, is work always required? I don't think the idea that you have to work in exchange was mentioned at all last night.

Is it required? No. But like with tithing, people have to agree to pay it before baptism, even if they don't end up doing it afterwards. Asking people to agree to work for assistance turned out to be enough of a turnoff for some.

NBC did mention that people were asked to work in exchange for the assistance.

[UtahDan]

It was mentioned. The couple serving in the BSH said they ask recipients to volunteer in exchange. I think he even said something along the lines of "you don't get something for nothing"

That's right. I remember now.

[Moliere]

That's right. I remember now.

SCcoug is your new holy spirit!

[UtahDan]

SCcoug is your new holy spirit!

CUF in general.