Abandoned Quote by John Ricard
“Our efforts cannot and should not substitute for just public policies and effective programs to meet the needs of the hungry...Money, food, and time donated to Catholic charities should not be misread as a sign for success for volunteerism, but rather a desperate attempt to feed the hungry people when others have abandoned their responsibility.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address on charity, Catholic Charities, 2015
Charitable donations are not a replacement for systemic public policies and effective programs that address hunger.
In simple terms: Donations alone can't fix hunger without proper policy.
Advocate for policy change alongside giving.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- nonprofit program design
- community advocacy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can donors ensure their giving complements, not replaces, public action?
- What policies most effectively reduce hunger?
Donations may give a false sense of achievement without addressing root causes.