Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay the charity for my cuppa?

VT82

If you feel guilty (which you shouldn't), put ten pence in. No one can expect you to pay over and above the cost of making the tea, and hence making a profit from you, as well as accepting your time, effort and donations.

Erica51

Perhaps someone brings in the tea, milk, and sugar and takes money from the tin to pay for it. If there's no money there either she will have to pay herself or start some complicated process to reclaim it. Wouldn't it be simpler to pay or to bring in some tea yourself?

Caterina

When charities apply for funds, they specify what the funds will be used for and some of those will be set to cover volunteer costs. Normally these costs include volunteer induction and training, out of pocket expenses and also refreshments.

If a charity, in its reporting back, is seen to underspend in an area that they have declared in their returns, there is a risk that they do not get funded again for that area.

So unless you volunteer for a small, cash strapped community group, where you would be expected (morally, if not on paper) to contribute your share of tea, milk and biscuits, you do not have to worry.

I remember someone a while back being really horrible about the charity I worked for, for paying its staff a decent wage, she said that the charity should pay minimum wages and invest the savings in helping the clients. However when you do this, you do not attract good quality applicants to the vacancies and it is the reason why so many charities in the past have had serious staffing problems, bullying etc.

The funding bodies are interested in funding solid, trustworthy charities send are happy to invest in staff and volunteers. Some of these trusts are very, very wealthy and funding charitable work is a tax reduction exercise for them, don't forget. I know this for a fact because I have worked in accounts and finance both with a funding body and with individual charities (gamekeeper turned poacher, sort of!).

There is a lot of misunderstanding bout charity funding and I would invite those who are very quick to judge the OP to inform themselves before spouting judgement!

However, if you feel like donating to the tin once in a while, that would be up to you of course and I bet they would appreciate it.

scotsbob

I can't believe that someone would begrudge a few pence to a charity for a cup of tea.


Even in Scotland we aren't that mean, not even in Aberdeen

Acremead

Even though you are a volunteer you must be being 'line managed' by someone? They should be saving their volunteers the embarrassment of not knowing whether the tea is free by giving you clear guidance. Ask him/her.

marich

I'm no Bible quoter generally but this situation calls for one of the verses I am sure are there to help us all . To save you searching the attic , it says :

'Thou shalt not muzzle the ox while he treadeth out the corn'.

Have your cuppa , enjoy it - you are doing good .

romanymoon

I believe you should pay for your cuppa from the charity. Regardless of how much you give in time and goods to the charity, this is all given from the goodness of your heart. If they request a small donation for a cuppa then so be it. It's good to give, so be proud of your work and contributions to the charity.

purple4mum

This is not a dilemma is it really?If you don't want to pay take a teabag and a drop of milk with you, waters free.It really is a minor thing in the big picture of what is happening in the world!

toojohnny

It's easy for people to say you should pay, but do those people volunteer at a charity shop and regularly donate? Probably not.

Your time & donations would be measured in ££s (quite a few of them at that). A cuppa costs pennies, and they should provide that at no charge to the likes of you!

Fujiko

happyinflorida wrote: »

I can't believe you don't.

What part of charity don't you get?

Exactly my reaction! Just how mean can you get? Are you the only helper who donates goods for sale? Do you work a lot harder than the others?
You say there is a box for voluntary contributions towards tea and snacks which means that others must be prepared to chip in, so why shouldn't you? Perhaps you should volunteer for another charity shop which will offer you a free cup of tea if that is so important to you. There are different reasons why people volunteer, sometimes interest in the charity, sometimes simply because they are lonely and want some company. Perhaps its time for you to show some charity.