Bum's rush at the LDS Cannery

[NM_Shooter]

Well,  apparently non-LDS members can not always buy canned food at the Church of Latter Day Saints Cannery.  I went today on a bit of a two part mission, and planned on buying some case lot goods. 

I received conflicting data as to whether or not I could buy from the cannery.  One guy who was running the Bishop's Storehouse (who thought it was okay to purchase from cannery) was giving me a tour of the warehouse area and telling me how everything worked.  The cannery manager came up and asked me who I was and what I wanted.... when I told him that I was not LDS, and that I was Catholic, both men noticeably bristled.

The cannery manager then told me that they do not sell to non-LDS members, and with that the "tour" abruptly stopped, as did all conversation. 

Let's just say that I wasn't feeling any brotherly love at that point, as it appears that my local LDS is not a font of ecumenical spirit. 

I did a quick search on the internet, and it appears that there are mixed policies across the US.  In times of extreme demand, the canneries will shut down non-LDS access.  Some don't allow non-LDS access at any time. 

[Sassy]

Hmmm, maybe we haven't had a problem because Flutterby is LDS & does the ordering...  I can see how they would want to serve their own members 1st but the abrupt change in attitude when they found out you were Catholic - I guess you won't be joining their church anytime soon...   

[NM_Shooter]

Yes... serving their own members first should be a priority in times of need.

The warehouse was packed with inventory.  No customers in sight. 

[peternap]

Figured as much!

I used to hire them. In the end I fired every one except one girl who married into the Mormons and was still in the trial period.

They take care of their own when they aren't back biting....but they don't care about anyone else. Not a group I would want to buy supplies from.

[Squirl]

The cannery manager came up and asked me who I was and what I wanted.... when I told him that I was not LDS, and that I was Catholic, both men noticeably bristled.

Discrimination based upon a particular race, color, religion, sex, or national origin is pretty abhorrent in my book.  Many states have commerce clauses against this.

[NM_Shooter]

Don't get me wrong on this... I am very respectful of them and their sense of community.  I have several who are friends from work, even though we don't socialize out of work.  

I am just disappointed in their policy.  I work with a group called St. Vincent dePaul Society, and through the donations of one (fairly financially poor) Catholic church, we collected and distributed over $60k last year to the poor in the north valley of ABQ.  All funds were donated by parishioners, and were given out to those in need without regard for their religious alignment.  We also contribute to a food pantry in Rio Rancho that provides food to (qualified) needy folks.  They get a box of staples and some fresh stuff that will last a family of 4 a week for only $5 or so.

I was just bummed because I was not looking for a handout... I was willing to pay market price for stuff I could buy locally.  And I got glared at for asking.  

-f-

P.S.  Since this is not really a commercial program, I think they can exclude anybody they want.  Bummer.

[MountainDon]

P.S.  Since this is not really a commercial program, I think they can exclude anybody they want.  Bummer.

It's not like they have a storefront open to the general public so they would be within their rights. It is not very community friendly though.

[Sonoran]

Figured as much!


They take care of their own when they aren't back biting....but they don't care about anyone else.

2007 Statistics
Days of labor donated to Church welfare facilities
647,319
Employment and training placements
U.S. and Canada
88,390
Internationally
137,311
Total number of:
Storehouses
138
Home storage centers
100
Production projects
55
Processing facilities
24
Storage and distribution facilities
37
Employment resource centers
282
Deseret Industries thrift stores
43
LDS Family Services offices
73
Number of missionaries serving in Welfare Services
3,974
Examples of missionary assignments:
Managing Employment Centers
Teaching English as a second language
Teaching marriage and parenting skills
Improving agricultural and medical practices
Distributing clothing
Supervising welfare projects and missionaries
Number of major disaster assistance efforts (1985-2007)
185
Recent examples:
California wildfires
2007
Peru earthquake relief
2007
Yogyakarta, Indonesia earthquake relief
2006
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief
2005
Africa measles vaccination campaigns
2004 - 2007
Southeast Asia tsunami relief
2004 - 2007
Humanitarian assistance rendered (1985–2007)
Cash donations
$259.8 million
Value of material assistance
$750.9 million
Countries served
165
Food distributed
58,809 tonsMedical supplies distributed
11,001 tons
Clothing
78,108 tons
Educational supplies
5,879 tons

[peternap]

Figured as much!


They take care of their own when they aren't back biting....but they don't care about anyone else.

2007 Statistics
Days of labor donated to Church welfare facilities
647,319
Employment and training placements
U.S. and Canada
88,390
Internationally
137,311
Total number of:
Storehouses
138
Home storage centers
100
Production projects
55
Processing facilities
24
Storage and distribution facilities
37
Employment resource centers
282
Deseret Industries thrift stores
43
LDS Family Services offices
73
Number of missionaries serving in Welfare Services
3,974
Examples of missionary assignments:
Managing Employment Centers
Teaching English as a second language
Teaching marriage and parenting skills
Improving agricultural and medical practices
Distributing clothing
Supervising welfare projects and missionaries
Number of major disaster assistance efforts (1985-2007)
185
Recent examples:
California wildfires
2007
Peru earthquake relief
2007
Yogyakarta, Indonesia earthquake relief
2006
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief
2005
Africa measles vaccination campaigns
2004 - 2007
Southeast Asia tsunami relief
2004 - 2007
Humanitarian assistance rendered (1985–2007)
Cash donations
$259.8 million
Value of material assistance
$750.9 million
Countries served
165
Food distributed
58,809 tonsMedical supplies distributed
11,001 tons
Clothing
78,108 tons
Educational supplies
5,879 tons

Days a year arguing with me about drinking coffee=365
Days a year arguing with each other over who is the Bishops favorite=365
Days a year working=0

Not to mention Uncle Tinkerbell who was Gay
Days a year oogleing my clients=350

My most repeated phrase when conversing with Mormons. "Shutup and do what I told you"

[glenn kangiser]

Sorry to have steered you wrong, Frank.  The ones here had a said they had no problem with it and treated us great, even though they knew I was non-denominational.

As you mentioned I guess it varies per area and the ones running it.

[NM_Shooter]

I think the great reply applies:

"It Depends"   

-f-

[Flutterby]

hi there NM

There are two facilities - the bishop's storehouse and the cannery. These two facilities usually are right next to each other, but have two separate functions.

The bishop's storehouse is for welfare purposes, the food is free and is given to church members who are in need. If a member of the church wants food from the storehouse, they have to get permission from their bishop first. It's not just a free-for-all. The food is also given to victims of natural disasters, people who are homeless, etc. Last August after the wildfire in our area, the LDS church handed out free boxes of food to ALL who were involved in the fire, even nonmembers.

The cannery is the place where you purchase food - but it's just "canned food" for storage. There are dry canneries and wet canneries. Anyway.... I always thought that anyone can buy the food and you don't need to be a member.

I'm curious now and since one of my callings at church is the "emergency preparedness/home storage" specialist, I'm going to find out what's going on. I'll make some phone calls and I'll get back to you in a couple of days.

And as for you PN    ya want to argue about coffee with me? cummon, it'll be fun!

[peternap]

And as for you PN    ya want to argue about coffee with me? cummon, it'll be fun!

Nope! Can't drink it anymore, but I'm still open arguing about Uncle Tinkerbell!

[Sonoran]

PN:

I was born into the LDS church.  I have known a lot of really good members, a lot of okay members, and a lot of members who weren't so great.

Being a Mormon does not automatically mean that you posses all of the values and characteristics that Mormonism preaches.  The key point in this statement is that the Mormon church IS preaching good values and characteristics...unforunately the members do not always have them.

I don't hate Germans because of Hitler.

It's too bad that the Mormons who worked for you had zero tact and work ethic.

If you need a hard working Mormon just give me a call...Glenn can give you a reference for me.

[glenn kangiser]

Yup - worked him hard lately - self motivated and trustworthy.

We hauled out seven 12 yard loads of lumberyard scrap today and he was always looking for the next thing to do   He even tried not to laugh when I jammed beams through the headboard of my trailer - twice..... that Bobcat doesn't have a great sense of feel for when it is destroying something.

[peternap]

PN:

I was born into the LDS church.  I have known a lot of really good members, a lot of okay members, and a lot of members who weren't so great.

Being a Mormon does not automatically mean that you posses all of the values and characteristics that Mormonism preaches.  The key point in this statement is that the Mormon church IS preaching good values and characteristics...unforunately the members do not always have them.

I don't hate Germans because of Hitler.

It's too bad that the Mormons who worked for you had zero tact and work ethic.

If you need a hard working Mormon just give me a call...Glenn can give you a reference for me.

Sonoran, I didn't mean to insult you or anyone else here. As usual, a lot of what I said was tongue in cheek. I had a number of them working at one time, most related and if they worked for someone else, they've been a lot of fun to watch.

One who was NOT related to the others, got the church AMEX card and was buying computer equipment and having it sent to him at work. The Bishop himself called me and asked that I not allow him to do it anymore

The Grandmother died and the family inherited her house. Two of them wanted to buy it from the rest of the family to live in. Uncle Tinkerbell had a whole string of recorded judgments and his share would pay them off so they could get clear title, but he wouldn't sign the deed unless everybody gave him a cut of their share.

Speaking of Tinkerbell, I got a call from the Vice President of a presentation company because Tinkerbell kept hanging around trying to get a date with one of his engineers.

There were never ending emergencies and family feuds. Each resulting in "Sick days".

Quite a bunch!

Going back further, there was Ken Lambert. He was a different story and I really dislike him.

On the other hand. All LDS members I've known are clannish. While they do good work in some areas, to quote my favorite movie, "Their moves are their moves".

They do look after their own and that's admirable, but aside from disaster assistance and missionary work, I've seen very little interest in the rest of the world.

[Sonoran]

PN:

I'm having a hard time here.

I have a feeling that you shouldn't have been turned down when it came to buying food from the cannery.  I would suggest that you don't give up on that.  Perhaps you can talk to the Bishop about it.  Because I do have a feeling that those members shouldn't have turned you down.

Also,  you said "aside from disaster assistance and missionary work, I've seen very little interest in the rest of the world."

What should we be doing to show more interest in the rest of the world?  If I know along what lines you are thinking, perhaps I can tell you about some Church programs that you are unaware of.

[peternap]

PN:

I'm having a hard time here.

I have a feeling that you shouldn't have been turned down when it came to buying food from the cannery.  I would suggest that you don't give up on that.  Perhaps you can talk to the Bishop about it.  Because I do have a feeling that those members shouldn't have turned you down.

Also,  you said "aside from disaster assistance and missionary work, I've seen very little interest in the rest of the world."

What should we be doing to show more interest in the rest of the world?  If I know along what lines you are thinking, perhaps I can tell you about some Church programs that you are unaware of.

You've got us mixed up Sonoran. NM Shooter tried to buy supplies, not me.

I made the comment that I wasn't surprised and I should have left it at that.

As to my feelings about what the Mormon Church should be doing....that's a subject I think I will end before it begins. The Mormon Church would not be interested in my opinions or suggestions, and It's a subject I have pursued too far on this forum already.

Let me end my participation in this by again apologizing for any offense. Anything I said was not intended as personal for you or any other member of the board.   

[Squirl]

Why do mormans stockpile food?

[MountainDon]

They've been doing this for years. It's a part of the church doctrine that says one should be prepared for whatever the future may bring and to NOT place oneself in the position of having to depend on others for sustenance. A year's supply of food is the goal. I first ran across this about 25 years ago when I visited the photo darkroom of a customer. All the benches (hollow core doors) were supported by stacks of Sam Andy freeze dried foods.

[NM_Shooter]

I thought about approaching the NM state leadership to see what the policy is, but I suspect there isn't a real policy.

Sometimes they do sell to non-LDS, sometimes not.  I suspect it is left up to the discretion of the local bishop's office, except when supplies are drastically needed or in high demand.  If that happens, there is probably a ban on providing anything to any non-LDS.

I may just end up buying from Walton Feed direct. 

-f-

P.S.  yesterday was a bad day all around.  After getting booted by the Mormons, I got caught driving like a "bat out of hell"  (25 in a 15) through my neighborhood later in the day.  The cops have really turned up the speed traps in my village.  The village purse must be getting empty.  I love the way they do this trap.... they set up at the exit to our neighborhood and shoot radar up the road.  You come around this blind curve and they have you.  The only people that use this road are the residents and their guests.  Nice, huh?  I was on the way to 5:00 mass with my daughter when they stopped me.  No chance getting a warning in this community.  I was so pissed I canceled church until today, then went up the road, parked, and stopped and warned cars for 20 minutes that there were cops ahead.

I probably wouldn't be as sensitive to this except for the fact that I have lived here for 11 years, and I routinely see cops breaking multiple traffic laws in the village.  I have problems both with hypocrites and with abusive authority.  When both are found in the same place it creates a perfect storm for me.

Heck, my truck idles at 25mph.

[glenn kangiser]

I warn everyone for several miles when our local donut eaters set up a speed trap.  It's an old truck driver thing.

About the food storage policy, Whitlock got me started on that although Sassy has always stocked things pretty well.  I have to agree that it is a very good policy.  Many people in the cities couldn't make it through the week if the system goes down, and as you can see that could be a possibility. 

No credit to stores - no bullets - bank bailouts- financial ripoffs - salmonella.  We may not use the 30 year storeable  stuff in the pantry often except for rotation use, but it is a comfort to know there is enough there to take us through a year or two along with our garden, and we do not have to rely on the system at all if it comes to that.

[Squirl]

You should check your states laws.  There is a common law in my state that if you are clocked under 55 mph with a radar gun the difference between your speed and the spread limit has to be greater than 10 mph for the charge to stick. It has to be 5 mph difference for over 55. If they got you with a mechanical speed trap (the kind you drive over) your toast.

[glenn kangiser]

As for the Mormons or LDS, I have to say,

I ignore the religious beliefs of them or any other religion - I grew up JW.  I found that being born into a religion doesn't make it right or maybe wrong.  Religion has not destroyed my belief in the Bible or God.  It has only destroyed my belief in religion.

That was just for background.

Now - friends ....

I have to associate my Mormon friends with  my list of people I would trust with my life no matter what my beliefs.  They may not all be that way, but I have been friends with some of them since about 1976 or 8 and Whitlock's family for most of the last year.  He is like me pretty well in beliefs.

When my birth religion sent me to hell, my friends were always there to help - talk with or cover my back.  We don't dwell on religious differences although we may mention or talk about it a bit in passing.

I would trust my friends with my life and they feel the same.  Maybe I just know the special ones, or maybe there are more.

[Sonoran]

Sorry about that guys.

I had a feeling that I mixed you up when I was going to bed.

So, the message about the Cannery was to NM and the message about the church programs was for PN.