Hi
@Citrine! This post really stirred my interest in joining this forum. I'll explain in a minute, but first, would like to say, a bit late, that I too stumbled upon this forum and find it an outlet to share thoughts, concerns, questions and understanding that, for the most part, are not acceptable by the jw majority. Keeping an open-mind, being objective and reasoning through things with sound arguments based on facts/evidence-based/logical information seems to have gone by the way-side. Also, I have not joined to badger or be highly-critical of the GB, the org, jw's, etc., my focus is to share info and find answers to my concerns & questions... questions not normally asked by JW members. Appreciate everyone's feedback.
Okay, on to this post... there are a few additional details regarding the food provisions would like to share being that this was an assignment I handled for the ~2 yr period.
Yes, this wasn't announced or mentioned as a provision from the organization, the GB, the branch, etc., in our case. We simply created a list of pubs that would likely have a greater need for these provisions and rotated through the list for each shipment that arrived. We did not say it came from the branch, but yet, that it was a government program that provided this benefit. I personally made many deliveries and never asked any bro/sister to not mention it to others. However, can understand that since only a limited amount of boxes were received per shipment, by asking others not to share their having received one, would lessen some from thinking there was nepotism involved in the distribution. All in all, being a small cong, eventually everyone (in need or not) received at least 1 box and were appreciative.
The mask and gloves requirement was ridiculous. Not only was it required, it was required to have them on while in your car, with the windows up, the entire time you were waiting to receive the boxes with provisions. Oh, and you couldn't leave the vehicle. Others would open the trunk of your car and place the boxes for you. The wait typically lasted between 30-60 minutes. Although not in agreement with the requirements, I did follow it reluctantly. Oh and there was the requirement of wearing a mask when you delivered the box(es) too. Nonetheless, many did not really care so much if you had a mask on or not (in my case).
All in all, perhaps being in a smaller cong with a larger diversity of people resulted in this being a more positive experience. In some conversations while making a delivery, chatted about the v@x, but no one was difficult and those I spoke with were more against than for it, even after multiple GB updates. Of course, keep in mind that my interaction was only with a very small group, maybe less than 10, as I did delegate the distribution to others to help out.
Lastly, perhaps Robert has a point regarding the WT wanting to be the "Mother of God's children", being that providing food provisions to those in need creates a certain dependency and expectancy. Nonetheless, not trying to be super-critical, but yet, sharing actual facts based on real experiences, especially those of which I personally led, was assigned or a part of.