Am i being hypocritical?

Question

because of added income, my life partner and i are now able to donate food to a food pantry to help those less fortunate. we've both said we don't want prostylization to be a condition of receiving food or goods in any charity we donate to. however, the only food pantry around that we can donate to is one that does. are we being hypocritical in donating to that pantry, or does the greater good the food would do outweigh us giving to an charity that does proselytize?

Answer 1

You kind of are, but in a strange way, and only a little.

If you are going to donate food to charity, it should be non-conditional.  The same is true of giving money to beggars, a lot of people say that it shouldn't be done because the money goes on addictions. I don't think it matters, the person needs money.

I know that's what you are trying to achieve by intending to donate to a kitchen that doesn't attempt to convert patrons to it's beliefs.  You want the food to go to the recipients without the condition that they listen to the kitchen's beliefs, likely about religion.  However you are placing a condition on your donation to the kitchen that they don't proselytise!  Think of your end goal, getting food to hungry people.  While I understand your concern that the donation to the person should be just about getting the food there, I think you are obstructing your own goal by being concerned about the process.

What would you think if you knew that the people approaching that kitchen needed food and wanted to hear the beliefs?  Does that person have less of a right to get food?  Give the food to the kitchen, it's going to help.