Things that make you shake your head!

[bumbershoot]

i thought food stamps were only allowed to be used for things like milk, eggs, meat,
I have been behind someone in line who had to put back grape juice b.c her stamps only covered orange juice...

so how can it possibly cover $170 of candy????

That was probably WIC.



The fire/donation story bothers me, and the dog food story reminds me of an EX boyfriend who made the same money as I did while we were students, and decided to go on food stamps so he could feed his two black labradors, as he liked feeding real food to them (and I think real food is a great idea for animals personally but only if you can afford it).

But...I have a really hard time with being nasty towards those who use food stamps, because my mom was shamed MANY times at grocery stores while using them to feed us. Even when buying normal food, the cashiers and those around were just so rude and mean.

And I will flat out tell you that we did have two big dogs (had them before my dad left), and my mom smoked at that time (addicted from her first cigarette at 15 until she quit cold turkey at 35), so I'm sure there were things in our grocery orders (that she had to pay cash for of course) that made eyebrows rise, but she was doing the absolute best that she could. She would sit at restaurants drinking coffee, telling us that she wasn't hungry, so that she could buy meals for me and my brother as a special treat. She did EVERYTHING she could to help me and my brother not know how broke we were.

So I'm having a hard time begrudging a mother trying to have a relatively normal Halloween party for her kids.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Dont get me started on this one.. had my neighbor bragging just the other day about getting $550 a month for her family of 4 and complaining how diapers should be covered since she is pregnant. My family of 6 doesn't spend that much a month on groceries and I coupon my rear off to bring the weekly cost way down. I could go on and on with other issues but I believe in Karma and one day it will come around.

People fall on hard times and I am glad those resources are there, but so many scam the system for years and years.

 

[doclegler]

Well after they are done eating their candy and not brushing their teeth, they can go to the dentist for free with my tax dollars.

All the while, we're saving our spare change to buy necessities and pay for our OWN insurance!! uggghhh....just makes me sick!!

 

[ccgirl]

That was probably WIC.



The fire/donation story bothers me, and the dog food story reminds me of an EX boyfriend who made the same money as I did while we were students, and decided to go on food stamps so he could feed his two black labradors, as he liked feeding real food to them (and I think real food is a great idea for animals personally but only if you can afford it).

But...I have a really hard time with being nasty towards those who use food stamps, because my mom was shamed MANY times at grocery stores while using them to feed us. Even when buying normal food, the cashiers and those around were just so rude and mean.

And I will flat out tell you that we did have two big dogs (had them before my dad left), and my mom smoked at that time (addicted from her first cigarette at 15 until she quit cold turkey at 35), so I'm sure there were things in our grocery orders (that she had to pay cash for of course) that made eyebrows rise, but she was doing the absolute best that she could. She would sit at restaurants drinking coffee, telling us that she wasn't hungry, so that she could buy meals for me and my brother as a special treat. She did EVERYTHING she could to help me and my brother not know how broke we were.

So I'm having a hard time begrudging a mother trying to have a relatively normal Halloween party for her kids.

I just want to say that $175 of candy does not seem like a relatively normal Halloween party.

I grew up poor too so I can relate. Those programs should be used as a stepping stone. My mom never did use food stamps, although I know we qualified. Not saying there is anything wrong with it, I agree when it is needed and used properly. Just, $175 in candy seems very out of line.

 

[dsnymom2003]

That was probably WIC.



The fire/donation story bothers me, and the dog food story reminds me of an EX boyfriend who made the same money as I did while we were students, and decided to go on food stamps so he could feed his two black labradors, as he liked feeding real food to them (and I think real food is a great idea for animals personally but only if you can afford it).

But...I have a really hard time with being nasty towards those who use food stamps, because my mom was shamed MANY times at grocery stores while using them to feed us. Even when buying normal food, the cashiers and those around were just so rude and mean.

And I will flat out tell you that we did have two big dogs (had them before my dad left), and my mom smoked at that time (addicted from her first cigarette at 15 until she quit cold turkey at 35), so I'm sure there were things in our grocery orders (that she had to pay cash for of course) that made eyebrows rise, but she was doing the absolute best that she could. She would sit at restaurants drinking coffee, telling us that she wasn't hungry, so that she could buy meals for me and my brother as a special treat. She did EVERYTHING she could to help me and my brother not know how broke we were.

So I'm having a hard time begrudging a mother trying to have a relatively normal Halloween party for her kids.

The party was not for her kids! She was having a party for her self. I can most certainly begrduge her a party even for the kids! She should be FEEDING them not throwing a party for them. There are things that have to be sacrificed when you have children! That is the decision you make when you bring a helpless child into this world!! The children were maybe 2 years old and a newborn! $170 for candy is not normal for anyone!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

$170 worth of candy for any party is crazy, for the kids, for the adults I don't see a difference. It isn't a necessity and not what the money is intended for (even if it is "allowed" it isn't the intent and we all know that.)

My kids have never had a Halloween party, are they deprived? I think not. Even if we were going to host a party it wouldn't include $170 worth of food let alone candy.

Sorry, I feel for people who NEED and am not opposed to HELPING them, but this is not a need and can't see how anyone can see what they did is the right thing.

 

[happygirl]

It really none of my business

 

[postage stamp]

We were on WIC for a while right after we moved and my husband joined the Navy. I wouldn't even use the eggs I got for Easter. It felt wrong. I went out and bought other eggs!

 

[sk!mom]

This post reminds me of last week's news story about Mayor Bloomberg seeking to ban the use of food stamps for the purchase of sugary drinks.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/ne...m-food-stamp-buys---KSHB201010071286551328715

 

[rachdd]

UGH!!! Just a few weeks ago I was behind a very well dressed woman with her nails done in line at Wal Greens. She bought 3 or 4 large bags of chips, a couple of packages of cookies several differnt pieces/packages of candy, a few 2 liters of coke and then pulled out her Lone Star card! (this is what they call the food stamp card here in Texas) I just gasped! I have seen things like this before but she didn't have 1 relevant item of a grocery list and we all know the pharmacy is not the cheapest place to buy groceries! It was RIDICUlOUS!! I think they should monitor the cards and take them away when they are used like this! Not to mention that I think you should have to take drug tests to get on welfare but thats another topic!!!!!!!!!

 

[ChrisinNJ]

Food stamps should be more like WIC. I think Mayor Bloomberg has the right idea!

My Husbands uncle has gets food stamps. My MIL tells me he cant use it for items like laundry detergent, & oersonal care items. She brings him care packages of that stuff all the time. She also said he cannot buy prepared food, like an already cooked rotisserie chicken. I think it is aweful that a person can buy candy, but not a cooked chicken. I think the system needs a major restructuring.

Sugary drinks, cakes & candy should not be allowed on food stamps. Toothpaste & rotisserie chicken should!!!

 

[mster425]

I look at it this way- if they want to eat Ramen for the rest of the month and spend the rest of their stamps on candy, they aren't hurting anyone but themselves. It's their choice.

When I was on food stamps (Americorps volunteers get them) I knew that if I spent them on steak, I would have to sell something on Craigslist to eat at the end of the month...so after a month or two I didn't buy steak. It's the same amount of $ either way, people being stupid with it will either teach them to budget better or make their lives considerably shorter from lack of nutrition/not eating.

 

[Colleen27]

So I'm having a hard time begrudging a mother trying to have a relatively normal Halloween party for her kids.

Same here. I really don't get the outrage that people on food stamps sometimes want to have some little "normal" thing.

I have a friend who just rants and raves over people on food stamps buying freezer pizzas, popcorn, soda, etc. and I just want to shake her A mutual friend (who is on food stamps, but the judgmental one doesn't know that) of ours does just that with her kids every Friday night in place of going out to the movies, going to the zoo, taking them to the pool, and all those other family-time things she's had to eliminate to get by on her unemployment checks. I just can't get worked up over seeing a parent hold onto that little something special at a time when they're doing with so many of the things the kids used to enjoy.

Food stamp benefits aren't especially generous, except perhaps by budget board standards. My friend gets about $700/mo for her family of six. She has to pinch pennies on a few other meals to make sure they have the $20 for that Friday night splurge, and she thinks it is worth it. Who am I to say otherwise?

 

[pearlieq]

I also don't see why food stamps can't be administered more like WIC.

I wouldn't mind a modest percentage (like 5-10%) being unrestricted, but the rest should be written to something close to WIC standards.

I'm OK with a small provision for treats, but I do mind $170 on candy for adults while babies make do with less. And I'm about as bleeding-heart as they come.

This should not be allowed to happen.

 

[pearlieq]

She has to pinch pennies on a few other meals to make sure they have the $20 for that Friday night splurge, and she thinks it is worth it. Who am I to say otherwise?

You do see a difference between a $20 pizza night and $170 worth of candy for an adult Halloween party, right?

I agree with your point in principle, but I just can't see a justification for the lady in the OP's story.

 

[borgthe]

IMPLICATIONS OF RESTRICTING THE USE OF FOOD STAMP BENEFITS
Introduction
By most standards, almost all American diets are in need of improvement, and obesity has
emerged as the Nation’s most pressing health and nutrition issue. Because of concerns about
poor diet, overweight, and obesity among low-income Americans, there is considerable interest
in using Federal nutrition assistance programs to promote healthy choices. Some argue that food
stamp recipients should be prohibited from using their benefits to buy foods with limited
nutritional value (commonly described as “junk” foods).1 The Food Stamp Act currently places
few limits on the use of food stamp benefits, as long as they are used to buy food to eat at home.
The idea of restricting the use of food stamp benefits may be appealing on its face. However,
upon closer examination, serious concerns emerge regarding the feasibility and rationale for the
proposed restriction.
• No clear standards exist to define foods as good or bad, or healthy or not healthy;
• Food restrictions would pose major implementation challenges and increase program
complexity and costs;
• Restrictions may not change the nature of participants’ food purchases;
• No evidence exists which indicates that food stamp benefits directly contribute to poor food
choices and negative dietary outcomes, such as obesity.
Making Distinctions among Foods
It is not a simple task to draw a bright line between foods that contribute to a healthy diet and
those that do not. Common sense suggests avoiding foods that are low in nutrients but high in
some combination of calories, fats, added sugars, and salt. In practice, however, drawing the
distinction between healthy and unhealthy foods is far more difficult.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, MyPyramid, the American Dietetic Association, and
most nutritionists take a total diet approach to communicate healthful eating advice, placing
emphasis on the overall pattern of food eaten, rather than any one food or meal. Mainstream
nutrition guidance embodies the concept that “there are no bad foods, only bad diets.” Thus, the
most common advice is to “go easy” on or limit foods with limited nutritional value and stay
1

 

[Colleen27]

You do see a difference between a $20 pizza night and $170 worth of candy for an adult Halloween party, right?

I agree with your point in principle, but I just can't see a justification for the lady in the OP's story.

Yeah. I wasn't responding specifically to the OP's scenario but more to some of the attitudes that followed about how food stamps shouldn't be able to buy those things, period.

$170 in Halloween candy is insane; we have a hundred or so kids come to our door in a typical year and I manage to keep it to around $30 by shopping sales (and I don't do cheap candy - if I wouldn't eat the leftovers, I won't buy it!).

 

[marie1203]

I worked this past summer as a cashier at a grocery store to have something to do while DH was deployed. I was so surprise to see how many people where in food stamps but even worst how many people abuse it. About 3 in 5 transaction from people on food stamps would make a separate transaction for alcohol and cigarettes and it was never just a couple of dollars but transactions over $40!!! Poor DH he hear me rant about it all summer. Even worst was the food they bought 4 out of 5 transactions were just bad food (lots of soda, chips, etc).

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I was at Walmart this morning doing the weekly shop. I came across this couple shopping for candy in the Halloween section. 2 adorable little kids. The mom started talking to me. Telling me how they are having a huge Halloween party and they had to buy lots of candy for said party. Well, that's wonderful, have fun I said back. I happened to get in the check out line behind them and she is talking back and forth between the cashier and myself about this great party. $172 worth of candy she bought!! Anyway, long story short she pulls out her card and I hear her tell the cashier it will be EBT-food stamps! I almost lost it right there! It makes me sick that some of us are there working our tail ends off and this person can throw a party and our tax $ paid for it!! I don't mind that the help is there for people who need it but, that is just not right!! Am I wrong to feel like that??

This reminds me of my favorite quote...where I heard it I don't know so I can't give credit where credit is due...but it isn't mine.."You better get to work...Millions are counting on you!"

The sad part is that it can be cheaper to buy premade/prepackaged foods if you aren't good in the kitchen...The problem with that the added junk in those premade foods...which then turns into an increase in morbid obesity...which rolls into heart disease, sleep apnea, and other related health issues. So, in the end..not only are we paying for pre-made, junk foods for those in the system...We also end up taking care of their health issues along with it. And we wonder why the economy is in the toilet?

What makes it worse is those that use the program appropriately and can't get the things they need or even a simple rotisserie chicken-that kills me! And my heart goes out to the woman who saves each week to get $20 for a pizza...but applaud her for making such an effort to provide an fun evening for her family.

Sorry, this is just a hot topic for me and really burns me...the medical thing kills me and frustrates me...I apologize if I have stepped out of line...JMHO...Ok off my soap box..

 

[beansmom]

frankly, we are looking at 5 minutes of that person's entire life. Do you know ANYTHING about them?

Two phrases come to mind:

"judge not, lest ye be judged" and MYOB.