Taking things with a grain of salt isn't a bad strategy. It would be interesting to hear from emergency workers or their families about their experience. I can well imagine there are wide areas in which prepared food is scarce. Not everyone works near a Waffle House, lol!

There's a lady that works at the local Walmart, her and her hubs volunteered thru the Red Cross to go to Texas and lend a hand. They also adopted a family that suffered total loss...they will bring this family back to Pa with them..I hope they share with the family their living choices. They live in an old cabin, no electricity, there is a hand pumped well. They only buy things that they must like toilet paper and soap. They only eat what they grow or catch with groundhogs being their main diet lately...I understand if someone has no place to go but still think considering the extreme way this lady lives she should at least tell the family how she chooses to live...let the family have the choice of yes thank you or run...lol. Me of course being interested in all things laundry ask this woman once how she does laundry. ..she told me in a large tub by hand. This has surely got to be a hard life she choose for herself.

I certainly respect that man and woman volunteering, but yes, they should tell that family what their lifestyle is as I would rather be at a shelter than eat...groundhog??? Ewwww.....

Seriously, Elmer?

Communities in areas that are prone to forest fires do the same things for fire fighters. Many of them stay in fire camps, which do provide great meals, but a lot of times they aren't able to get back to the camp to eat because they have parked their trucks at threatened residences so that they can protect them from the fire danger. Homeowners are happy to prepare meals and have drinks readily available for these brave men and women who also leave their families behind for weeks at a time while they are gone fighting fires in places that are hundreds of miles from their own homes.

Small mountain towns often have limited offerings when it comes to places to eat. They may have just a few restaurants and a small grocery store to supply fire crews, that number in the hundreds or even thousands, with enough to eat. And, these small businesses are not only a source of meals for the fire fighters but also the people who live and work in these communities many of whom have had to evacuate their own homes if the fires come too close. It's not unusual for these small town restaurants to actually run out of food because they don't have the resources to stock large amounts of food to being with.

There is also another aspect that comes into play. When we see fire trucks rolling into town from all over the state and even from other states we so appreciate that they will drop everything to come to our aid that we want to let them know. Often the only way we can do this is to provide food and drinks when necessary. It's also a common practice for property owners and businesses to put up hand made signs thanking the firefighters. Our hope is that when they see these signs everywhere, it gives them a mental and emotional boost.

This summer we had a fire here. One of the fire camps was set up at our local park where they pitched small tents. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it is to sleep in a tent on hard ground or a cot when the temps are reaching 100+ degrees every day.

I think what raven posted is true. People who have never experienced this type of incident just don't understand what it is like.

Many of you missed the message, which was: Relying on random information, often baseless and of unidentified sources, from Facebook or anywhere else, isn't a good way to be well informed.

Give it some thought first. A high percentage of the workers are from out of state or on out of town status from other parts of utility's territory and aren't coming to work with lunch or dinner buckets from home. They need to be fed.

The utility wants them to work as quickly as possible, for PR reasons and because meters that aren't turning produce no revenue. If they were sending people out into the field knowing that some number of hours would be lost to scrounging food, they'd make a public request that their workers be fed by residents if possible. Absent that, assume the matter is covered. Acts of kindness are of course very nice but don't assume they have no easy access to organized food locations through the utility because that makes no sense.

(They're not located or working in remote mountainous area)

Yes, I know that they aren't working in remote mountain areas. I was simply giving another example of the community pitching in to help those who were helping others when it's not always possible for the ones doing the work to find a meal.

I would imagine that some of these workers are working to restore power in small Texas and Florida towns, as well as the large cities, in which case the scenario I describe would apply.

Edited to add that I agree it's a good idea to check sources when making large donations, but I see no harm in offering a bottle of water or a sandwich to someone who is out there in the elements working hard. Heck, I offer water or lemonade to people I hire to do work on my property, especially during the hot summer months. I don't need to check sources to see with my own eyes that they are hot and perhaps thirsty. These kinds of FB posts often come from local neighborhood FB groups. I have found them to be a wealth of information (even though they aren't official sources) during fire season when the local news stations and government sites such as CalFire or Inciweb don't update their information very often.

IMO, the message of the act of providing something, anything, for those that are helping is in the graciousness itself. Whether they "need" it or not (and I believe they do), what in the world is wrong with connecting to other people with gratitude and warmth.

Elmer, I can't help but observe that nearly every post you comment on is you sweeping in like a pigeon and flying in and pooping on everything. I feel for you - you're such a contrarian and seemingly know-it-all. If you get your kicks through this site, how sad. You come in and claim to not keep score (but then mention past posts showing that you do, indeed), and most posts turn into argumentative, holier-than-thou, diatribes. If this forum is your outlet for the ego boost that you need, so be it, and this should be a "safe zone" for all personalities and personal issues. But really, can't we all just get along?

In my book, no act of kindness is wasted.

AMEN!!! My big brother was a lineman for several years. When they travel,

the Foreman usually has a Credit Card for meals. But....when there are not

restaurants open (do you understand this Elmer, the Holy?) every kind thing

you can do for them is greatly appreciated and remembered. And, Elmer the

Holy...you do realize don't you, that these out-State companies don't HAVE

to come at all. But, do you understand the concept of helping and being kind?

And sharing with others, as they will do with you when you are in need?

Sigh...I'm sorry...my cage was rattled. I remember the long and hard work my

brother did when he first started with the Elec. Co.

A pooping, swooping pigeon? Okay, I've maybe been called worse a few times so that works for me.

I mostly leave the hoorays to others, doing that doesn't interest me. The kind of contributions that motivate me to speak up are the ones that don't make sense to me or about things I look at in a different way. If that makes me a contrarian, I guess that's okay but it's also because the other half of my reactions go unsaid.

"you do realize don't you, that these out-State companies don't HAVE

to come at all."

Power companies all over the US have arrangements in place with others to provide extra workers for restoring service in troubled areas after emergencies. The providing companies get reimbursed for their expenses and it's a way of trading favors, it's not done to express compassion or sympathy. As said before, the motivation is PR and to minimize lost income. Fire fighting agencies do the same thing and it works the same way.

Scarlett that was a pretty nasty post, perhaps you need to add more fiber to your diet.

I so wish that there was a "don't like" option here. Thumbs down, bostonpat. Seriously? Your "perhaps you need to add more fiber to your diet." comment is unnecessary. Are you seriously implying that she should "sh*t" more and therefore be happier? Pfffft. How offensive. Perhaps you need to add more cheerfulness to your own life. Can you take advice as willingly as you give?

Don't leave out the volunteers. I live in a small town outside of Houston. Harvey left us in the dark for 5 days. The power company couldn't cross the flooded bridge over the creek, that runs through our subdivision. The Cajun Navy, which is made up of volunteers from Louisiana, ferried the power company guys over in an air boat.

You definitely have to "be there" to appreciate what volunteers, first responders, and power company employees go through.

Suzieque, rename yourself Scarlet.

Huh? Sigh. Sometimes I wonder why I even interact online. But ... thank God for those who are of similar mind, and thank God for those from whom I can learn.

I have been watching and it was a bit surly, but wow the last three hours have gotten interesting. Change your name and eat fiber. interesting.

I'm out. For me, I'd err on the side of kindness and good deeds. Call me crazy.

If [utility companies] were sending people out into the field knowing that some number of hours would be lost to scrounging food, they'd make a public request that their workers be fed by residents if possible.

Elmer, this statement does not ring true to me. First, utility companies are highly regulated and I don't believe the accounting rules they operate under would permit them seeking free food for their employees. (I was a budget analyst for a utility provider, rules might vary that I don't know about but I'm pretty sure of what I say.) Second, I've never heard of such a request from a public utility, anywhere, ever. Third, it doesn't jibe with Curlysue's account of her family members' storm break experience -- which does jibe with my own experience of being on the road for special assignments. (Thanks, Curlysue, for the info. And thank you to your family members for serving all of us in need!)

Polite disagreements or additional facts always welcome. As are acts of kindness :-)

I totally agree with BostonPat, that was harsh. This is an open forum and people have a right to their own opinion. I understood what Elmer meant. If you can't be kind here to one human being, how can you preach for others to be kind.

Here is the entire text, it was posted by a woman just asking people to share.

ATTENTION: SW Florida, If you see a group of lineman and are able to
feed them or offer a drink than do so. They're have been reports of guys
not having much food because everything is or was closed in various
areas. Even if they do have something, they are busting their butts
trying to make us all happy and unfortunately they can't all do it at
once. My step father is a retired lineman himself, he worked his butt
off. These guys will be working through the night to restore power while
listening to complaints that they aren't doing it fast enough. Give
them a break, a kind gesture of Food , Drinks, and Snacks are must .
Lets take care of them.

I agree nickel. You still don't have it right Elmer. Did you ever hear "make sure brain is in gear before putting mouth in motion"?

Power companies all over the US have arrangements in place with others
to provide extra workers for restoring service in troubled areas after
emergencies. The providing companies get reimbursed for their expenses
and it's a way of trading favors, it's not done to express compassion or
sympathy. As said before, the motivation is PR and to minimize lost
income. Fire fighting agencies do the same thing and it works the same
way.

When your town is in danger of being swallowed by fire, you don't care if they are after PR or not, you are grateful that they showed up in time. Management may set policy, but the guys in the trenches who are risking their lives aren't doing it for the PR and neither are the utility workers who are out there in rain, snow, floods and whatever other conditions they find so that they can restore power to homes and businesses.

Sure, they get paid to do a job, but that's neither here nor there. There are lots of jobs that don't require those kinds of sacrifices. As far as fire fighters go, many of the small town departments are staffed by volunteers who may receive a stipend, but don't generally receive salaries.

It's a small thing for the locals to provide a bit of comfort, regardless of whether they decided to do so on their own or saw a post on FB suggesting it.

Those of us living through this devastation are the most valid sources of information! Those who have nearly died in the flood and hurricanes are the most valid sources of information. We are here, seeing it, living it, depending on these wonderful people, whether line men, police, volunteers, rescuers, all of them, we are the source! Not someone sitting in their comfortable home somewhere that have never ever lived in this kind of life threatening situation. When those of us who have nearly lost our lives and lost everything we own speak up and tell you this is true and fact, buddy you better believe you are getting the true real honest information. Doubting this information is just unbelievable. These people are heroes. The strangers that risked their own lives to come save me and my husband are angels. They were saving people all day and night day after day. There were no stores open, no restaurants for food, no freaking McDonald's! Everything was under water! Good grief.

The rescuers and those looking to restore vital services have my gratitude and respect. The linemen and firefighters from out of town or state probably had a choice to stay at home and tend to business there or put their own lives on the line to travel to the scene and help others that desperately need them. I'm am sure that some from my area went as volunteers to render aid.

I see nothing wrong with a call out to those receiving the help to ensure that these heroes get something to eat or drink as well as our respect and thanks. Facebook or other social media is a very fast way to get the word out.

I am not going to attack Elmer, but I wonder how one gets to the mindset that he has. No compassion for others, just assuming that these professionals were sent there by their employers and it is just business as usual. Seven elderly people died in a Hollywood, FL rehab facility because of lack of power. There may have been more but I saw this story on the news. No power means no AC in a terribly hot and humid environment. That is not just 'business as usual', it's a life-saving act to get the power back on.

Yeah, some of you are being too hard on Elmer. He sees many things differently than we do. Kind of like Spock. It's illogical.

Last year after hurricane Matthew, my daughter spent days working in the flood waters. They had plenty to eat and drink... in the form of MRE's. They slept on cots in the backs of trucks. Mosquitos were horrible. They had mosquito netting to sleep under but the heat and humidity was almost unbearable. Someone brought them pizza one day. It absolutely lifted their spirits and eased the day.

I simply don't understand the reluctance or intent to just do a good deed.

I certainly did not think this would "blow up"! I just wanted to remind people to help where ever they can.

When I have people work at my home, deliver furniture or appliances I offer them a cold drink or ask if they need to use the bathroom. Common decency is not dead.

As to Elmer (formerly Snidely) maybe he should change his name again, to Mark.

You all know of Contrary Mary, well, I have a son named Mark and no matter what I would say (when he was young) , such as the sky is blue, he would say it was black. We started calling him "Contrark Mark"!

Yep, I think I will now call Elmer Mark!

Me, either, suzieque. After Isabel we had crews from all over clearing trees and debris. Many of them could have chosen to stay home, safe and sound, with their families.

I'm not trying to put words in Elmer's mouth but i dont think he was saying that you shouldn't offer help to working crews but that you shouldn't go by what's out there on Facebook if the help was needed or necessary.

Thanks to Kathy G for sharing on Facebook and to everyone who has shown kindness, I know for a fact that the residents and responders in my little town in Florida appreciate it.

If people would only follow the golden rule, the world would be a much nicer place.

Thing about the golden rule is...in a forum everyone has an opinion as they should..its how the opinion is presented that's just as important. I'm not sticking up for Elmer, but he did give his opinion in a respectful manner without name calling.

I know someone in my neighborhood that if anyone gives their opinion that differs from hers she accuses them of yelling at her. They could whisper their opinion but she see's that different opinion as being yelled at.

What Raven said.

These guys from the electric company are most likely given a per diem. The problem here has been that the hotels are full there is no place for the workers to go. It took several days for grocery stores and restaurants to open up. It was exciting to see McDonald's open and a lonnnng line at the drive thru and overflowing parking lot. We chose not to eat out because we had food at home and there were people who needed a hot meal who didn't have any other options. The local police department had posted that there were no restaurants open in certain areas. Some restaurants chose to remain closed in order to cook for the various people who needed it. I've seen where 500 meals or so were donated at a time. It's also possible, some restaurants were paid to cater rather than operate in the usual manner.

One thing I saw after Harvey that I thought was awesome was a post asking people to stop donating snacks and water to the National Guard because they had too much. Sure, the folks from the national guard probably already had some form of sustenance, but the donations were because people cared.

My comment, stated and then repeated, was about the foolishness of half-reading but nonetheless believing, without further personal thought or reflection, too many internet comments of unknown and unstated sources. Whether on Facebook or elsewhere. It had nothing to do with disaster recovery, compassion, being a good person for hard working public workers and volunteers, or anything else. Those comments were intended to say - Hey, please think about it, how could it make sense that these workers would be sent out hungry and not cared for? No, of course not.

Yayagirl, bostonpat, moonie, picked up on what I thought was a clearly described idea. Some of you with your reactions have proven the half-reading part- you missed the point entirely and suggest you may believe anything you hear or read.

There were also those of us who addressed why posts such as those that appear on FB can be a good source of information suggesting that we did not half read, but that we disagree with your statement regarding FB comments.

for nickel, who said:

" utility companies are highly regulated and I don't believe the accounting rules they operate under would permit them seeking free food for their employees. (I was a budget analyst for a utility provider, rules might vary that I don't know about but I'm pretty sure of what I say.) "

Accounting rules (or principles) themselves aren't intended to either permit nor prohibit any kind of transaction. Rather, they prescribe how they are to be recorded in the accounting records and then financial statements. That's especially true for regulated businesses, like power companies, for which accounting rules are pretty explicit on how specific types of transactions must be recorded and presented. That's so that these there's consistency (and not variability solely because of accounting treatment used) when comparing one such company to another, and so that analytics like ROI used for rate setting is done consistently. Something like accounting for contributed food for the benefit of employees is a pretty vanilla item.

" posts such as those that appear on FB can be a good source of information suggesting that we did not half read, but that we disagree with your statement regarding FB comments"

Sure, dawn, but comments made by others are hardly suggestive of those people having given a second thought to the reasonableness of the suggestion.

Well I don't know who's payin who or for what but these people showed up and worked their rears off to help others..so what if they are given a food allowance a lot of good that does..it sure doesn't fill the belly or quench the thirst of these hard workers that can't get to McDonalds because its under water or because they are working side by side with their fellow man and won't leave to eat...ya feed our good men and women. If given an opportunity I sure would.

Another thing it doesn't matter to me if its posted on fb or the fake news....we know its the truth.

mamapinky0, my golden rule comment was not about the forum, but how volunteers, first responders, and utility workers should be treated.

My husband and I take the trash guys bottled water when they pick up at our house. They are so appreciative, especially in the Texas heat.

Elmer out of curiosity, I took another look at your original post. This is the original and first sentence:

The source of this message is who or what?

Now I can't speak for anyone else here, but that does not clearly state that it is foolish to rely on sources such as FB for information. It's actually a question, not a statement.

The rest of the original post consists of this:

I'm sure the companies sending these guys out to work long shifts for
such critical work in devastated areas are giving high priority to
covering their food and water needs.

This statement has nothing to do with FB posts and whether or not they are reliable sources of information. What it does do is make a statement about something that many here (some of whom have just survived harrowing experiences with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma) are experiencing first hand. Many of the resulting comments seemed to be in response to that second sentence and some of them objected to or rejected your comment as inaccurate.

It was later that you left a second post that clarified your position on FB posts, but by then the horse was out of the barn and people were more focused on the issue of helping utility workers and other responders by offering them food and drink. Had your first comment been more clear in regards to FB, I think you very well would have seen different responses from many of the people who posted.

I also think it's a good idea to keep in mind that this is a hot button for people who are just barely getting by themselves after these two horrendous storms and perfectly understandable why they feel so strongly about the issue. It is also rather dismissive to imply that people who are dealing with the aftermath of these two storms don't know what they are talking about when they witness daily the actions of utility workers, police, first responders and volunteers.

Having said all that, I am done with this thread. There is no point in my making any further statements as I have said what I have to say and I don't wish to argue or make this anymore unpleasant that it's already become.

Kathy had the best of intentions by starting this thread and I'm pretty sure that she did not expect to see it deteriorate into what it has now become.

I'm sorry Dawn, I don't agree. To me, "The source of this message is who or what?" Is merely shorthand for, "So where did the Facebook poster get this information? Is it from some official source, or is it ultimately something that someone made up out of thin air and posted on their Facebook page and has been reposted hundreds of times, with no actual official source?" Just because a thing is on someone's Facebook page and posted by _that_ person in all sincerity, does not necessarily make it true. That's how fake news gets around.

I am also disappointed by the posts which say things like "Can't we all get along?" With a subtext of "As long as everybody toes the party line and if anyone has a different opinion (such as Elmer) we should all descend on that person like a tons of bricks and rip him/her a new one to show why they should stick to the group script". I am all in favour of respectful debate and do not think resorting to name calling is either respectful or convincing debating.

I do not think Elmer was trying to dissuade people from being kind and charitable, so much as saying, "Before leaping in, you might want to check first with an official source so that your kindness is not wasted."

May I add Elmer is also one of the more articulate regular posters when it comes to explaining why he's reached an opinion. Honestly I do appreciate that. Being willing to say "why" you believe something is the first step in a civilized discussion in which you and/or others may actually learn something!

And, we don't all have to reach the same conclusion. Who wants to live in world in which everyone thinks/acts/wants the exact same thing?

That said, I'm not persuaded that a utility company would ever officially ask the public to supply free food to its emergency storm worker crews. The results would be unpredictable, uncontrolled. "Meals and incidental" expense for these people, I understand. Perhaps we can let that matter rest, Elmer, with neither of us convincing the other -- not a bad outcome?

I don't think an act of kindness is ever wasted.

One of our best friends is in Emergency Services Management. It's a massive logistic task any time there's an emergency, whether rain, wind, fire, quake, hurricane, tornado - you name it. She's got some pretty amazing "war stories" after four years of dozens of situations.

At her utility, every day each emergency worker is given a bag containing food/water. The total calorie count? 5,675 calories PER DAY.

Offering something - but especially water, in such conditions, is appreciated even if they don't need it. And it means a lot to the workers when people simply take a moment to say "Thank you for doing all this hard work for us." Yes, they're busy and you shouldn't interrupt them unnecessarily - but you'd be surprised how many times there's no opportunity for them to be thanked by the people they're helping.

"I don't think an act of kindness is ever wasted."

No, and I don't think any snowstorm of misunderstandings and over-reactions is ever acknowledged either. Nor the silly and sad "likes" from the same predictable gaggle of boo-birds who wait for such opportunities. I think maybe they're trying to relive elementary school years?

No one "wins" a discussion, nickel, it's not something to expect.

Liking a post by someone else is a simple way to say that you agree with their comment. Signed, one of the boo-birds who did not misunderstand nor over-react, IMO.

Sigh.....

Well said, Colleen! Elmer is the sort of person who's fairly black and white, and likes to follow rules. Nothing wrong with that; it's just that his slightly abrupt manner can sometimes be misunderstood. Do you all remember the early email days when chain letters were being sent around? They were pretty much all fraud and some of them put crap on the computers they visited. It's always good to question the source of any article or piece of advice--I believe this is what Elmer is saying. There's nothing wrong with feeding a near-by crew but I'd certainly ask if the food would be welcome, first.

Exactly, sjerin. Too many blindly accept validity of questionable anonymous and non-authoritative internet garbage without giving it critical thought first.