The federal government will award $132,434 in legalized plunder to Buncombe County. The grant is intended to “help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.”

Several faith-based organizations served on the board that decided upon allotments. It is sad. It was once believed that charity was the realm of churches. Shepherds would lead their flocks to living water, and the grateful followers would gladly make sacrifices for the joy of others.

Today, the choice of many to make poverty a profession has jaded many would-be sacrificers. Laws interfere with the spontaneous giving of alms. Instead, society nods along with government’s wish to sanitize charity. The money is forced from people through taxation, redistributed by government-appointed boards, and applied in programs where interns and trainees have papers to shove and no time for love.

The county is now accepting applications from organizations interested in receiving a portion of the funding.