tricky question

[Robert_Burns]

what is the purpose of the food pantry? is it to serve active parishioners only? in that case your resentment has a basis even if not particularly charitable. Is it so serve all those in need within your parish boundaries, Catholic or not? if so making attendance at any liturgical functions a contingency of receiving help is simply wrong, and if the pantry is affiliated with your local Food Bank organization, probably against their rules.

As OP has abandoned the thread perhaps no other discussion is necessary or helpful. The quote from Thess. refers to church members specifically.

I think the old Adage of It is better to give than to recieve Speaks Volumns. Are we not to recognise HIS Followers by the things they DO and the Way they ACT not merely how they talk? Feeding the Hungry and Clothing the naked are acts of profound charity and for each act - even a cup of cold water given in his name we will reap the benefits of. Every time we did an act like this it covers a multitude of our own sins and shortcomings. When we gave that food to the homeless man we gave it to Jesus. When we gave that coat to the Homeless Lady - we gave it to Jesus. Since we do not know who will and who will not convert - are we to only do good to those whom we feel may? So who is Jesus and who isnt? Are we now to scutinize each person who asks for a cup of cold water? I say that each act will be rewarded , and if not in this life , than in the next. So are we to live with only the things of this world mattering? Or should we practise Charity so as to store up Treasures that matter to GOD not only in this life - but in eternal life?

You decide…

 

[BrickRoux]

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For also when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any man will not work, neither let him eat.

That’s us knowing how to act. That is the standard by which we should hold ourselves. There’s no doubt about it, and you won’t find any argument here.

When others don’t hold themselves to that standard, though, it’s not our job to punish them by being so selfish that they are pushed to the brink of life … just like we don’t cast unwed mothers out onto the street to live in the gutter, but instead give them sanctuary and hope.