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Yes, when you see people buying cigarettes or alcohol with those EBT cards, it's two different benefits. That means they got approved for food stamps AND cash assistance. Some people only get food assistance, others get both. Just echoing what Camelot said.
My first instinct sometimes is to cringe if I see someone buying beer, for example, with their EBT card. But, I don't think I can really judge. I mean, I'm going to tell this person, obviously going through a rough patch, probably out of work, probably has kids, that they can't sit at the end of the day with a cold beer and relax?
YES, there ARE scumbag dead beats out there that use the system, of course, just as there are users in all groups. But I know that I myself have been on food stamps, and not because I was a dead beat druggie, but because I escaped an abusive husband when I was young and had no resources or job experience at that time. My family was one food stamps once, because my father was laid off for a while. He's the hardest worker ever, and he was humiliated, as we all were, to buy our groceries with food stamps. I remember being very embarrassed at the checkout, and know that my mother was too, as her hands trembled counting out the food stamp coupons (back before EBT cards). I know my aunt is on food stamps, because she chose to adopt her grandson when my cousin, her daughter, was abusing him and being unfit, and she took on the burden of raising him while already having raised her own kids and was disabled to boot. None of us sold our food stamps for crack. None of us were deadbeats. My parents were not irresponsible with what money they had, it was simply hard times.
I just have a real hard time judging others, and assuming they must be a dead beat looking for a handout, or selling food stamps for crack. Those people would be selling other things for crack, stealing from others in different ways, anyway. It happens. But many people are legitimately needing them, and most quite embarrassed. While I understand the reality is that *SOME* people abuse the system, there are many *OTHERS* who need it, and for that, I am glad we have such a system. I know I like a cold beer at the end of the day. Sometimes I might even opt for cold beer when I'm broke and should probably have spent it on something wiser. Sue me. I can't judge people for buying beer with their cash assistance, should they choose to.
In the case of the OP's post, this person is asking for FOOD. Does anyone notice her last line in the request is "anything". Who cares if she's asking for Pepsi and Fruit Loops? They're obviously hungry. Now, I personally buy generic brands of most items, so if she was local to me, and I brought food, she would have to take what I offered, very little of which would be brand name. Now if I showed up at her door with store brand soda and generic cereal and she refused it, yes, THEN I would probably question it. But I doubt she would. My guess is that she is simply naming things that they bought when they could, and has no realization of how requesting "brand names" apparently comes off to some people.
I had a houseguest come stay with me for a few weeks last winter. He was in the middle of a separation, and his wife was taking all of his money, so he was pretty broke. When we went to the store, he would grab BRAND NAME Chef Boy Ardee in a can, Pepsi, Twizzlers, Chunky beef stew, etc. I asked him how he could waste his little money on this stuff. The answer was simple, he was used to it. He wasn't used to being broke, or looking out for generic versions, or cooking at home instead of buying ready-made food. I had to really drive it home to him that he can't afford that stuff now, he has to think smarter. It may be the same with this lady. She may be used to these products, and doesn't fully get that there are alternatives to save money, who knows. When I read the ad, I don't think of crack, or pickiness, etc. I just see someone requesting food.
One other thing. Someone made a comment about her having internet service. She could have been typing that from a library for all we know, but I can say this: My internet would be the LAST thing I would let get shut off. I would keep it even if low on food. It's my link to the outside world. I look up home remedies so I can avoid expensive doctor visits, I research health issues, pet issues, I pay my bills with it, etc. It is invaluable to me as a resource living where I do. So I can't judge that either.
Sorry to ramble, I just don't think it's right to judge a person we don't know anything about.
