Have You Ever Received a Pounding? I Have!

Now, this is not naughty or hurtful, just good clean, frugal fun. Have you ever had a pounding? The good kind we can celebrate and talk about fondly in front of children? If you hear someone will be given a pounding, never fear.

A pounding is a gathering where someone new, usually a couple,  is welcomed to the community, church, or group of people. A pound of food is the only gift from each person.  People also give poundings to people down on their luck.

A pounding is a party where people help someone out by giving them a pound of food. When 30 or 100 people participate, the recipients end up with a pantry full to help out in a hard situation. The hard situation could be newlyweds setting up house. It could be to help a person out of work or after a long illness.

The custom dates back to Quaker days. The food was gathered in a wagon and delivered. Or, everyone brought it at once to the couple's  home. They dropped off their pound and left.

It is not a party in the sense of food and drink. A pounding can follow a church service. Mostly, it is just the act of bringing something weighing a pound. Food can be presented in two ways: The group can gather the items and present it in boxes. Or, the items can be brought one at a time and presented by the giver to the beneficiary. I like the gathering of the food and presenting it in a box or boxes.

Typically, the 'pound' is ingredients, but maybe some people give boxed meals today. I hear toilet paper and paper towels are also part of modern poundings. At any rate, people give shelf-stable items. Items can be mundane like flour, green beans and corn. Items can be more 'exotic' like olives and anchovy. Okay, those are not exotic, just not what the great majority of people open for dinner for their families.

When we moved to one new church, we were given a pounding. My ex-husband was concerned at first, thinking he was going to be slugged by multiple men. I cannot remember what we got, but most of it was appreciated. All was used. We had not bought food for weeks before moving, so my pantry items were low.

Your turn
Have you ever had a pounding? Who gave you the pounding? Have you ever helped to give a pounding to someone? Would you like a pounding?