Why do the few have to ruin things for the many?

The question posed in the post title isn’t a new thought by any means. I’ve been wondering about it for years. It was brought to the top of my mind recently by some things that have happened recently. 

My hi-rise has regular food distributions during the summer and sometimes at other times of year. There are a few people who grab as much as they can and don’t even think about leaving anything for others who may come later.

Things came to a head yesterday when the police were called on of the volunteers who had just told someone they couldn’t take all of the tomatoes from the table. (This person was not singled out, nor were they shouted at or threatened.) 

There was discussion among the volunteers about stopping food distribution for the foreseeable future. It is very likely this will happen. I understand why it is necessary. (Another food distribution was stopped a year or so ago when two people almost got into a fight over food items.) At the same time, I think it is a shame and it isn’t fair to the people who haven’t caused problems. 

I have to wonder why people can’t behave like adults and just take what they will use. Why can’t people think about how lucky they are to have free food brought in, and that they should behave with gratitude and grace and not like animals. Is it cultural? Or is it coming from a place of lack and feeling like they need to hoard and get everything they can? Is it just greed or lack of manners? I wish there was a way to educate people on what is expected and to get them to listen and try to follow the rules. (I know you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink. Part of me still wants to try for some reason. You also can lead a person to knowledge but you can’t make them think. Unfortunately.)

Even when we had more volunteers watching the tables and signs saying how much people could take there were still issues. People still tried to take more and complained about the volunteers getting to go first.

I’m not sure what options we have now. Would just putting the food out and letting people take as much as they want be better? It would be less stressful for us but it seems like it would be unfair for those who can’t get downstairs right away when the food comes. There is also the issue of waste since some people who grab a whole lot of food end up throwing a good bit away.

Maybe not having the food brought is best. Maybe it will make people think. Or maybe it will just give them something else to complain about. It unfortunately seems like a no win situation.