Not so much devil's advocate as a different problem: he's addressing the means of the request, not the target of it.
It is also a problem that needs to be addressed, and I would say it needs to be addressed in two directions.
First, consciousness raising among those looking for volunteers to not just go to the same people all the time -- or at least, be willing to be redirected, a la...
Second, for the people who are likely targets of being asked, to start keeping a mental (or, heck, actual) portfolio of referals. If you're the person they always ask to bring the refreshments, keep a list of other people whom they might ask instead.
no subject
It is also a problem that needs to be addressed, and I would say it needs to be addressed in two directions.
First, consciousness raising among those looking for volunteers to not just go to the same people all the time -- or at least, be willing to be redirected, a la...
Second, for the people who are likely targets of being asked, to start keeping a mental (or, heck, actual) portfolio of referals. If you're the person they always ask to bring the refreshments, keep a list of other people whom they might ask instead.