Am I annoyed or sympathetic?

[country lady]

We have a different definition of "poor" since the 1930s. Just a couple of weeks ago I heard on the news that welfare people were misusing debit cards for such items as Las Vegas and trips to the Caribbean. Our government officials have also misused debit cards, so I guess I don't understand debit cards. Apparently, it is treated as a personal perk. These things make us suspicious and unsympathetic.

Several years ago I went to the local health office for a flu shot. I saw mostly single mothers with tattoos and cell phones. I saw on TV later that cell phones are free for the poor. When I was young, I was poor because I was ill and it is no fun, but I didn't remain poor or ill. I didn't have any public assistance. I am sympathetic to individuals who need help and do contribute to four charities every year. Many people are poor because of bad choices and life style and remain poor forever. No, if a person can't buy basic nutritious food, then the person should read up and change the life style. So much health information is everywhere. I reserve my sympathy for the truly down trodden and ill, like cancer patients.

Edited to add: We are especially generous to disabled vets. It is heart breaking to now see the young vets returning with missing limbs and mental conditions. I can no longer watch these stories on TV.

 

[sheaviance1]

I can remember a time when my food budget was so small I bought a big bag of pinto beans, rice krispies, a gallon of milk if I had the money for it, ramen for the kids. That was it. That list, at the time, ran about $5. I was a single mom paying off all the debt the xh accumulated during the duration of our marriage, working my tail off for $6.85/hr. If it weren't for my mom inviting us over for dinner very frequently, we would not have made it. I made too much money for food stamps. I distinctly remember going to the grocery store and buying the list above, watching a family come in (same size family as mine) and buying playstation games, lots of junk food on fs and then walking out and getting in a really nice, brand spanking new vehicle.

I had people who helped me out, but I didn't ask for it from strangers, I only asked for help from my family. I was grateful for the help. I do not remember being brand specific on anything, but I did LOVE to have an occasional Mt. Dew. My Mom would go and buy me Mt. Dew just because she knew it was a special treat for me.

I would prefer that people be specific about what they would like to have. I don't have money to waste on things other people will throw in the garbage. In the spirit of giving, most people go and purchase the things that are the cheapest at the store to give away at the food banks. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. When I go and buy for the local food bank, I buy two of what my family enjoys eating and give that. It's not always the cheapest things, but I figure if I am going to give, I will give what I would like to receive. I am sympathetic to the CL ad that was posted, and will be until given a reason by the people posting it to feel otherwise. There are people out there that play on the heartstrings of others for sympathy and then abuse it. I've met my share of them. On the other hand, there are people out there who are struggling that you would never suspect because they put on a happy face and bear it.

On panhandlers, it has always been my policy to give what they ask for. I remember one lady who practically threw the food back at me. I'll never forget her. I think the most honest man I ever met walked up to me at a convenience store. He was physically shaking from head to toe. He asked me if I had any spare change. He volunteered that he needed to purchase alcohol. And yeah, I gave him enough to go and buy it. I truly believe he was at that point of alcoholism that he would have died without it that day. Never before had I met someone in the shape he was in, and never again. I see him all the time, as he is a regular at one of the convenience stores that I shop at. He doesn't panhandle anymore, but still drinks, heavily. He is a friendly old sot who I have seen help others. I have witnessed him help people stuck in the snow, I have seen him help people pay for their groceries at the store.

 

[Stacykins]

Beggers can't be choosers, well, the flip side is, is that choosers can't be beggers.

Gosh Sheaviance, that man sounds like he was definitely going into the DTs. While he may still drink, at least you probably saved his life that day.

I did have one panhandler, as I was walking into a walgreens to pick up a prescription, ask me for something, anything because he was really hungry. I had barely enough for my meds, but with the extra bought him a few of those packages of ready to eat soup cups. As I was driving away, I definitely saw him drinking one like it was the elixir of life. I know many of them scorn offered food, but he was one of the few that didn't.

 

[annageckos]

chickensducks&agoose :

Well, you can't use them for cigarettes or alcohol, so the govt. is regulating. I just know that when I'm broke, I don't get soda. I don't get ice cream, I don't get junk, because I can't afford it.

I have heard that in PA you can use foodstamps for alcohol. That's because the liquor stores are all state owned. But that is besides the point. alcohol and tobacco are not food so you should not able to use foodstamps to buy them. I don't think that they should be able to say what food you can and can't buy.​

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

Quote:
I would like to know how they are using FS cards (EBT) on trips to Vegas?? That card only allows you to purchace food ....It wont allow you to buy ready cooked items like a roast chicken and it wont allow you to buy soap and cleaning products or paper products. Soooooo I dont know how they can missuse them at all. Some people with kids get a little cash attached to the card ...and I have seen moms abusing that and buying ciggs etc. but thats not enough for a trip LOLOL
Reading over everyones replies, I think that food banks must differ from area to area...we live in a high hispanic area so I think the foods are geared more towards their tastes maybe?
black beans, rice etc.

I reserve my sympathy for the truly down trodden and ill, like cancer patients.

I do too! My best freind here has cancer and has had several surgeries ..she has kids and still struggles to go to back to work after each hospitalization. It takes 2 years to get disability and you are not supposed to work during that waiting period.
I could never understand that.​

 

[country lady]

I heard this on TV about a week ago. You can goggle this if you are interested. Obviously, I can't vouch for every printed word. The article is much too long for here. I'm sorry about your friend. So many unfair laws.

"In California, the poor can use the EBT card at the farmers' market, and the flea market, and even dine out. Under a new state law, counties can permit the use of the CalFresh EBT cards at approved restaurants.

The San Diego County program limits the EBT restaurant use to seniors, the disabled, and the homeless. The San Diego list of approved restaurants includes KFC, McDonald's, and other fast food franchises. So, at least in my home town, obesity is not such a problem that it can't be subsidized by the government.

Arizona, Florida, and Michigan have similar programs. In Michigan, the food stamp program is now called the "Bridge Card."

But California is the leader here as in so many programs which will shortly bankrupt government.

The CalFresh EBT debit card lets the welfare recipient access two accounts: cash through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program accessed through approved ATM networks, and an electronic version of the old food stamp program. The monthly cash grant for a "family" of three ranges up to $694, with "families" of 10 getting $1,469.

While the "food stamp" part comes with rules on what you can buy and which restaurants you can patronize, the cash can be withdrawn and spent anywhere. In early 2010, the Los Angles Times found the EBT cards worked at ATMs in 32 of 58 tribal casinos and 47 or 90 state-licensed poker rooms in California.

A Los Angeles Times report also found California's poor spent $69 million from January 2007 through May 2010 using their EBT cards on at least 14 cruise ships sailing from Miami and other ports, at Florida's Walt Disney World, in Hawaii and Guam (!), and at hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. While the major Vegas casinos would not accept EBTs at their ATMs, the nearby businesses were more accommodating.

In California, we think the poor deserve to live just like the rest of us who had to work to afford to gamble, or eat out, or take nice vacations.

 

[Carols Clucks]

Just an FYI on California Farmers Markets, most here only sell fresh locally grown fruits and veggies. The ebt card for that means actual good food-and a benefit to the local small operation farmers.

Imagine how many people on the forum would love to be able to sell their eggs via the ebt card. I think they get tickets from the farmers market so each farmer does not have to wait to be reimbursed.

 

[country lady]

Carols Clucks, since you live in California, did you find the article true? I love farmers' markets. That is a great way to feed people.

 

[GallusGal]

We need the following items: Whole Milk, Any Meat, Instant Coffee-Tasters Choice, Diet Pepsi, One Large Soda, Pepsi or Dr. Pepper, Cereal-Frosted Flakes, Frosted Cheerio's,Waffles, Eggs, Cat Food, Cat Litter, clumping plz, TP, Scott Towels, and gas for the car to get to Dr. Appointments.

While they are free to use their food stamps for whatever they please, I do find this list a bit irksome, specifically because they said they "need" the following items. I don't think anyone NEEDS coffee, soda, brand name cereal, etc. "Need" in my mind is food that will meet your basic nutritional requirements, not snack foods. I am in a tough budget spot right now and you know what I eat? Whatever I can afford to, which doesn't include snacks. I get what I NEED - meal foods, and inexpensive ones at that. I drink water because it is FREE. And I definitely wouldn't be scouting for a specific type of cereal when store brands are cheaper and of the same caliber.

IDK, I guess I can see the point that it is better that they list what they're willing to accept than have well intentioned people waste money, but on the flip side, perhaps their financial situation is due to poor budgeting decisions like this like splurging on snack foods instead of saving for bills? My ex-fiance's family was always struggling to pay the bills... because they spent foolishly. They made half the money my family did but had big screen TVs, fancy computers, every video game system you can imagine, always bought brand name foods and ample snacks, etc. I think the folks posting that ad could better use budget help and good, nutritious food than what they're asking for.​

 

[Carols Clucks]

I have never seen anyone use a EBT card in an ATM, but then again I don't follow people around to see what card they are sticking in the machine.

I am more than sure that many people given the chance to get something for free, illegally-many seem to think it is only a lie if you catch them in the act and can prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt, they sure will do it. I see that A LOT-and it is not limited to only lower income level people.


I did notice the farmers market has an atm that debits cards and they had out tickets that can only be used in the farmers market.