AIBU to think supermarket food bank donations should be better protected?

[Catarinabella]

Hi, just back from my local supermarket, on the way out saw a well dressed looking guy, groomed, expensive watch. He was brazenly filling multiple carrier bags up from the food donation point to the point of emptying it. I asked one of the staff if he was a volunteer, collecting for the food bank, she replied that collections were done at store closing time. I pointed out what was going on and staff just shrugged. He proceeded to car park and loaded up his flashy convertible car with the donations and made a rude gesture to me. AIBU to think that this would put most people off making donations?

We give to the local food bank as often as we can but they are open fairly restrictive hours. I have suggested a few times to DH that we take them to one of the supermarket collection points and he always refuses because he says that it is likely to get stolen.

Seems he may well be right

Just so sad, stealing from the most vulnerable.

Whilst food banks should be more protected and helping yourself definitely shouldn’t be allowed
We can’t assume that a persons past gains are still relevant today
Not everyone in need goes around dressed in rags

and so I do not judge a person by how they present themselves

How did you know his watch was expensive? Seems an odd detail to notice. The brand writing on watches is tiny. I couldn’t tell a Rolex from a Rolmex or a Timex at three feet let alone further. All watches look posh these days.

I’ve collected from the supermarket for the food bank at various times, whilst management knows it’s happening and I have an identity card I’ve never shown it and the shop floor staff have no idea who I am. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was being officially collected and the supermarket staff shad no clue when it was collected and assumed end of day - I often pick up about 10am as we open at midday!

Ours has a toy donation point at the moment for summer holidays, encouraging donations of things like stickers books, water guns, footballs etc. I saw a family in asking if they could take some things as the children wanted them 🤨. The staff said no, they were charity donations and to contact the charity if they felt they could benefit. Honestly some people are so entitled, I would never dream of asking!

So none of the staff approached him?
Not even the security staff?
This is one of those 🤔 stories.....

In fairness anyone who's into watches can tell, I definitely could.

OP has probably embellished a little but she's certainly right that this shouldn't be allowed to happen.

Super relevant and helpful.

You should consider wearing your identity card in a visible place eg with a lanyard. Because with your current incognito style you have no idea how many people might be thinking you are helping yourself and be put off donating. Also it saves people who care having to challenge you and shop floor staff will know to challenge people who don’t have visible food bank ID. Im quite shocked at your current system.

I have only seen stuff being taken from these once, and security interrupted the man and got him to put stuff back. That was an older man with a shopping trolley though, not a flashy convertible!

Surely there are suitable cages or similar where donated goods can be inserted, but cannot be retrieved unless a staff member opens it.

That probably makes far too much sense though.