I learned a long time ago with you that folks who were trying to be kind would rather do it with a macaroni-and-cheese bake than any personal involvement. You hand off a serving dish and you've done your job - no need to get personally involved, and your conscience is clean. Food is the currency of aid.
The quote reflects an understanding of how some people express kindness through tangible gestures, such as bringing food, rather than through emotional involvement. It suggests that acts of service, like delivering a homemade dish, often fulfill societal expectations around caregiving while allowing individuals to maintain personal distance. The act of providing food becomes a way to show support without the complexities of emotional engagement.
This perspective highlights a critique of relationships where convenience takes precedence over meaningful connections. In this way, food serves as a symbolic currency in social interactions, representing a willingness to help without the burdensome implications of personal involvement, thus assuring one's conscience remains clear.