Charity Without Justice is Just Exploitation With a Smile

If you’ve seen our latest t-shirts and sweatshirts, you might’ve noticed a bold phrase printed across them:
“Charity without justice is just exploitation with a smile.”

It’s a powerful statement. Maybe even a little uncomfortable. That’s on purpose.

At the Port Angeles Food Bank, we believe in doing more than handing out food. We believe in asking deeper questions about why people need food assistance in the first place and what we can all do to change that.

What Does the Phrase Mean?

This phrase challenges us to think beyond the immediate good of charity. Charity meets urgent needs like making sure someone doesn’t go to bed hungry. That’s the work you support when you donate to or volunteer with us.

But if we stop there, without ever addressing the root causes of hunger, then we risk becoming part of a system that keeps people trapped in poverty.

We’re helping, yes, and that IS important. But we’re also making it easier for society to ignore the bigger, harder issues: wages that don’t cover the cost of living, unaffordable housing, limited access to healthcare, unaccessible childcare, and more.

That’s the “smile.” But underneath it is a system that asks people to survive on charity and kindness instead of dignity, fairness, and justice.

Why Put That on a T-Shirt?

Because we think food banks—and the people who support them—are ready for a bigger conversation.

Wearing this phrase is a way of saying:
“I care about immediate relief. And I care about long-term change, too.”
It’s a way to honor both the compassion that drives charity and the courage it takes to push for justice.

And let’s be honest—it starts conversations. When someone asks about your shirt, you have a chance to talk about hunger in a new way. You’re not just wearing merch. You’re spreading a message.

What Your Purchase Supports

When you buy a shirt with this phrase, you’re not just making a statement. You’re helping us fund both the day-to-day work of feeding our neighbors and the longer-term work of advocating for systems that treat people fairly.

It’s about compassion now, and change for the future.

So if you’re already repping the merch—thank you. And if you haven’t yet, check it out. Because this isn’t just a slogan. It’s a vision.

A vision for a community where everyone has enough. And a food bank that’s not just offering charity, but helping to build justice.

Get yours HERE!