[jodi]

Hmmm...tough call. On one hand, when DH lost his job a few months ago, we probably would have qualified for WIC or maybe some other benefits, but since we did not need them (I have a good, PT job and we have no housing expenses), we did not get them. I would have felt that I was taking them from someone who did need them. On the other hand, we did accept unemployment benefits. We felt entitled since we had paid into unemployment for all our working lives and we were suddenly, and indefinitely, without $30k in income. DH is currently in a program that continues to pay him some benefits while he goes back to school, as he is unlikely to find a stable job in his past field. I do feel guilty about this, as I know we are doing better than a lot of people due to some wise decisions, but does that mean we are less entitled to it than them?

Is accepting this lunch possibly taking money or food away from other sources that could feed needier seniors? If that's the case, then I would not agree with their reasoning. Or perhaps some of the seniors are not as well off as thought and use this excuse to mask that? If so, they have a valid reason. I don't know if there is an easy answer.