A more generous interpretation (and the one that I think explains my very short stints as a contributor in just the way you describe) is that I really appreciat

A more generous interpretation (and the one that I think explains my very short stints as a contributor in just the way you describe) is that I really appreciate the project, want to help somehow, but won't/can't commit to deep work on the project. I also see many projects that practically beg for help "even if it's just documentation" and believe small contributions to be similar to adding a dollar to the tip jar.