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?
I have never heard of this but is sounds like an awesome idea. Something to keep in mind for a simple wedding shower too.
ReplyDeleteMamma Bear,
DeleteYes, brides have so many showers that this one would be easy on the attendees and certainly a help to a new couple. Good idea. Thanks.
I have not had a pounding, but it sounds like a great idea!
ReplyDeletePamela,
DeleteIt is a good Southern tradition.
I have never heard of this, but it sounds wonderful, just so long as I am not invited to too many of them !
ReplyDeleteJane,
DeleteWell, thankfully it would only involve one can of food or one spice or one pound of flour. It certainly would not be very costly. You don't even have to show up. I would never bring a pound of a spice at the prices in the store. I have only been asked to give to one pounding and only received one pounding.
In that case, I would sign up ! When my kids were in college their idea of charity was to provide large containers of quick oats and brown sugar to students who could not afford the meal tickets. (Which were $2,000 a semester) Many of their friends ate oats for breakfast for an entire semester, and it only cost our kids fourteen dollars to help a number of friends. The funny thing was our kids had next to no money either, and could still do this.
DeleteI have given things to the Baptist Student Union for students who for whatever reason find themselves without food or money. But, I have never heard of giving kids oats and brown sugar for the semester. They specifically wanted protein--tuna and pb.
DeleteSince I love oats, this would not be a hardship for me. Although, ater a whole semester of having to eat it, I might change my mind. I have little money, but I feel like I should help people.
Anonymous left a comment that I tried to publish. But, it disappeared. Comment again and I will save it before I try to publish. Sorry
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the "Welcome Wagon"? I thought it was just a myth and maybe it was, but the POUNDING is a wonderful idea that is now outdated due to finances. So sad.
ReplyDeleteLotta joy,
DeleteYes, I remember the Welcome Wagon. I was a member. Actually, the pounding is alive and well. The whole purpose of a pounding for the givers is that only one can of food is necessary to participate.
I've never participated in a pounding in any way, and have never heard it called a pounding. In fact, I've only heard of it once before and it was called a pound party. It's a lovely idea.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie,
DeleteI am surprised at that name, but it all works the same. This is a wonderful way to help someone without the help being a hardship.
I've never heard of this tradition, either, but I like it! It would be a good group gift for a young high school or college grad just setting up their first apartment, as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to use this new word in front of our company's Southerners somehow now, just to show off!
Jessica
Jessica,
DeleteIf they are young or citified, they may not be aware of the word. Just start talking about "giving" somenone a pounding..."I think we should give Jane a pounding since she is ill." "Let's give Joe a pounding since he has been out of work." The fun part is to stick to the pound idea so no one feels like more than a can of food is necessary.
You can give me a chocolate pounding.
This is my first time to hear of pounding, but it is a good idea, almost anyone could afford to give a pound of canned goods and it would really add up for the recipient. Growing up as a child I remember going to eat at relatives homes on Sat or Sun and we would take lots of food. No only cooked food like ham or chicken and dressing, but cans of food as well. We always took way more than we ate but we never brought any back with us. I soon realized it was my parents subtle means of helping our relatives who were going through some hard times.
DeleteSwamp Dog,
DeleteYes, most people can afford one can, a pound of food, to help someone out. Your parents were smart. They managed to be helpful and not make the other family feel bad. I am sure the other family realized what was happening but were grateful for the presence of your family and their kindnesses. It is too bad more people aren't as cognizant of situations and don't give without making the needy person feel like it is charity. I am sure you apply this in your lie.
life
DeleteLinda - i have never heard of the term either but i am very glad that you shared this info. when my family of a mom, dad, 3 girls and a boy moved from alberta to cape breton island (3,000+miles across the country) with only what could fit in our car...and then landed here and got a 2 bedroom apartment on top of a funeral home (holy moly - the stories i could tell about that and you would love them!)...it was the last week of november when we arrived. my father promptly got a job at the local coalmine but christmas that year was going to be a pretty sparse affair. however, someone (we don't know who?) alerted the local salvation army to our situation. they arrived in mid-december with a hamper full of food and many bags of gifts for us children, including clothes and other such things as towels and face-cloths. i will never forget the look on my mother's face as she opened the door. never. and that is a christmas that i will never, ever forget.
ReplyDeletei guess we got a pounding. thank you for giving me a word for that memory.
your friend,
kymber
kymber,
ReplyDeleteWhat a story--four children and traveling 3000+ miles in a car! I am glad SA made your Chrismas and life better. It is not exactly a pounding, but the results are the same. You should write some of your funeral home stories on a page of your blog or on a separate blog. They will surely be popular. I would read them.