Starving on $280/month

[StressLess]

Joan of the Arch, I was thinking the same thing, but you put it so much better than I could. I had this feeling that the reporter was either a) from a very upper class background and genuinely shocked that someone would eat canned ravioli, or b) trying way too hard to punch up the drama of the article. The two low-income women featured in the article aren't the ones using the words "reduced to" or "dependent on."

[quote=Joan.of.the.Arch]

"However....that article is really odd. If you read the few words from the foodstamp recipients themselves, I don't see any of them complaining... But I don't see the woman the article opens with making claims to be starving. The article says she has to resort to canned ravioli and peanut butter and jelly by mid-month, but do we see a quote to show the foodstamp recipient actually couched it that way?"

[LivingAlmostLarge]

My mom already volunteers trying to help people on food stamps. Considering she used to be a social worker and helped to run her department I think she's more than adequate to comment on the fact about people of any color on food stamps (and my mom's not white!). And my mother was a single parent who never went on food stamps!

So I volunteer at a food bank. There at least I get to see people who seem to need food and aren't using it for junk. It's more canned goods and non-perishables.

And how can people on FOOD STAMPS eat SHRIMP and CRAB LEGS????

I don't eat that and we make a decent income.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

It's been a while since I had it, so I'm not sure of the price any more, but Aldi's used to carry frozen shrimp, about 6-8 oz for under $2. My son used to break them up into small bits and put it in enough fried rice to serve a family of 8. I can definitely tell you I know of a foodstamp receiving family who uses it in the same way. I think that can fit into the well under $280 budget....I think the article as written might be leading us to think something exaggerated about shrimp and crab leg treats.

Actually, I think another local market sells such a packet of frozen shrimp for exactly $1, but I do not buy it because it comes from Chinese estuaries whose plant and animal products I am not confident to eat.

I've had"imitation crab meat", mostly compressed pollock turbot flakes with gelatin added, Perhaps that is really what the person in the article used to buy. It goes for a similar price as the frozen shrimp at Aldi's. I think people use it to make salads and appetizers.

[LuxLiving]

I think too that a person may eat more seafood products as part of a cultural diet or location base, more so than as an extravagant food treat. As an inlander, I'm not big on seafood and it would be a treat and higher priced in my location. Depends on where someone is located whether or not it is overly pricey.

[Homebody]

Scanner, you obviously missed my post. This is not conservative blather, it's something a little more universal in both parties.... and actually more so in the Democratic party... it's called elitism.

If you read any of the blogs on this site, a lot of these posters are NOT conservatives. Stop generalizing!

and Living Almost Large, again, the article said she GAVE UP shrimp and crab, not that she was buying them now.

[poundcakes]

My only experience with food stamps comes from a gal known as "Straddlin Madeline" that frequents the lake .Straddlin has 4 children, each by different fathers, all of whom are married. Straddlin gets disability for a back injury, receives child support from each of the fathers(She claims to Social Services that she does not know who the fathers are.... she gets her child support under the table by threatening to expose the men's illegitamate children. They pay. One is a doctor, one an accountant.. all have well paying jobs.)She draws the full welfare package.. food stamps, medicaid, housing, energy assistance etc.You should see her ski around the lake!! She has the most beautiful set of implants, a fab boat, and a darling lake cottage.Thank you bleeding heart liberals, hardworking taxpayers, sterotypical "poor folks". Quit complaining and keep earning you blessed Conservatives.You have given some a "charmed" life. Ta Ta.

[cicy33]

Originally Posted by poundcakes

My only experience with food stamps comes from a gal known as "Straddlin Madeline" that frequents the lake .Straddlin has 4 children, each by different fathers, all of whom are married. Straddlin gets disability for a back injury, receives child support from each of the fathers(She claims to Social Services that she does not know who the fathers are.... she gets her child support under the table by threatening to expose the men's illegitamate children. They pay. One is a doctor, one an accountant.. all have well paying jobs.)She draws the full welfare package.. food stamps, medicaid, housing, energy assistance etc.You should see her ski around the lake!! She has the most beautiful set of implants, a fab boat, and a darling lake cottage.Thank you bleeding heart liberals, hardworking taxpayers, sterotypical "poor folks". Quit complaining and keep earning you blessed Conservatives.You have given some a "charmed" life. Ta Ta.

I hope you are aware this is a rare image. Only for the movies. Real life is it may happen but it is not the huge number some people think. Lots of people think that everyone on assistance is milking the system and are having babies to stay on aid. Actually it is a few that are causing the problems. I was a young mother on aid many years ago. I had one child from one man and he realized he wasn't ready for parenthood so there I was divorced with a baby and no education, skills, etc. Because that was my stature at the time I met many people on assistance. There weren't as many as you think with multiple kids from multiple fathers. But the few that do are the ones that get the high publicity. Kinda like when you only read bad in the newspapers even though you can personally think of 5 people who did something good. Bad news sells, good doesn't. Sad. Food stamps are not as great as it sounds. But we have seriously derailed from the subject of this item which was: Starving on $280 per month on foodstamps. and again I will say. No way. she is only feeding herself. WIC is taking care of the baby. I am not saying she is able to eat only organic, or totally healthy food but if you are on food stamps and are at that time of your life your biggest concern is keeping your lights on and food on the table. Example of why I believe that she can easily eat on $280 per month.
5 pounds of ground beef: $10 (allowing for $2 per pound)
5 packages of noodles (variety): $10
Fresh vegetables and fruit, ex carrots, bananas, grapes, lettuce $60 per month. Approx $15 per week.
5 pounds of chicken: $10.00 (again, allowing for $2 per pound)
2 loaves of bread: $4
2 gallons of milk: $7
5 packages of Cheese: $10.00
2 jars spaghetti sauce: $4
2 cases coke: $12
1 carton juice: $3
1 container cottage cheese: $2.00
5 boxes of either potatoes or pasta $10.00
1 container butter $2.00
bag 5 lbs potatoes $3
condiments: ex mustard, ketchup, bbq sauce, salt pepper, $10.00
2 Boxes of cereal $6.00
carton of eggs $3.00

Now I am so far up to about $166.00. She is alone. according to her story anyways, she can easily use 1/2 pound hamburger for anything, I do for us now and we are more than 1. I can see about 20 plus meals up there and I am not even at the $280 mark. I allowed for higher prices than we have here and I did not allow for coupons which would save her more. True this is not the healthiest eating. But it can be made do. I even allowed for soda. So, for my point, $280 is absolutely doable especially if you are single.

[poundcakes]

Originally Posted by poundcakes

My only experience with food stamps comes from a gal known as "Straddlin Madeline" that frequents the lake .Straddlin has 4 children, each by different fathers, all of whom are married. Straddlin gets disability for a back injury, receives child support from each of the fathers(She claims to Social Services that she does not know who the fathers are.... she gets her child support under the table by threatening to expose the men's illegitamate children. They pay. One is a doctor, one an accountant.. all have well paying jobs.)She draws the full welfare package.. food stamps, medicaid, housing, energy assistance etc.You should see her ski around the lake!! She has the most beautiful set of implants, a fab boat, and a darling lake cottage.Thank you bleeding heart liberals, hardworking taxpayers, sterotypical "poor folks". Quit complaining and keep earning you blessed Conservatives.You have given some a "charmed" life. Ta Ta.

Forgot to add... Straddlin has a live in boyfriend(Just visits... wink, wink) Who is a Registered Nurse.Do I think 280 a month foodstamps is doable?Never been on stamps, don't know how others choose to spend free money.Although working as a checker in a grocer at 16( not so long ago in my mind) I saw how greatly they were abused. Chips, soda, cookies ,pastries. Yum Yum. We used to have a code.. we'd stamp our foot if we thought the customer was on foodstamps based on their purchases. Never wrong.Really, do Americans hate welfare? I see so many that adore it.Oh well.... off to a different forum.Or to watch a movie.I wish I could afford popcorn, but I must buy gas for work.

[PrincessPerky]

While not all folk on welfare are trying to abuse they system, the system makes it really easy to abuse. And I believe the last statistic I saw regarding welfare was about 'lifestyle welfare'..folks who are on it as kids and really don't see a way off. Might not be intentional like 'Straddlin'. But still, do we really need to raise another generation of welfare kids?

I personally feel that the only form of free food should be a 'soup kitchen' or WIC. Because that cannot really be abused..no one wants to eat in a soup kitchen unless they are really weird. So there is no reason to stay on the system...use it when you need it, move on when you don't. a food bank of simple breakfast and lunch foods could be attatched (healthy cereal, oatmeal, some bread, some fruit, and that lovely PBnJ)

Wic is for a nursing moms or formula...only certain healthy foods are covered and while there is potential for abuse, you can only do it for a few years. I think it comes with health and parenting counseling around here, though I could be wrong. Not to mention short of selling the card or whatever is used you can't buy junky foods.

Though I do agree with Joan that the occasional treat is no big deal, I don't want it coming at my tax expense unless donated junk came from the food bank. (which plenty of folk do donate junk, pure junk and 'white flour food'). I would rather the food bank or even a wic like item for older folk covered only certain items than covered all bases. (man will not die on cheese and fruit alone, but he might on pop or ice cream)

I would rather spend my tax dollars on 'braille money' than on chips or ice cream.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I see it the same was as Joan and PP. I don't think she's starving on $280/month. And even if she just gave up crab and shrimp WTH? I mean come on, I don't even buy those things on a regular basis.

[aukxsona]

edited

[LivingAlmostLarge]

So how does a family of 7 survive on $250/month and it's hard for a single mom of 1 to live on $280/month + $65/month WIC?

I ask most seriously, because perhaps you are struggling, but why is this woman at all struggling when you are feeding how many more mouths with less?

[zooracer]

Originally Posted by aukxsona

"I live in DC and I spend less than $280/month for myself and girlfriend, and I eat mass amounts of food. We buy all kinds of meats as well. Wish the government would give me free money. Maybe I should have a couple kids and get on the gravy train. Makes me want to puke.

Its funny, the people that should be having kids aren't, and the people who shouldn't be having kids are!"

My 9 cents worth. I have a family of 7. We buy no processed food. We live on 250 dollars a month. We do skimp on meals. Fresh fruit is a rarity. We could qualify for food stamps, but I don't want to deal with the hassle of what that will bring.

I did check into them. My family would receive about 800 dollars as well even though my husband works full time and I work. I do not participate for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the attitude which is prevalent on this board. This attitude is also prevalent in the caseworkers that process the stamps in my town

A local family with just four people also receives 800 dollars in food stamps. They too are having a hard time finding places to send their food. They decided to adopt my family after seeing how little I bought to feed my kids. They saw the soles of my hands peeling from malnutrition. They saw how thin we all were. They have given us over 200 dollars worth of food this past week. They have plenty to spare. So while some people who get a lot may waste it on garbage, some share. It is illegal, but since I qualify but will not apply I don't see why anyone could complain. They are trying to help me get into a food program run by a local church.

With out these people having government assistance, we would probably be facing a long hungry summer until the garden came in. Think about that when you claim everyone is sucking your taxes dry, screwing over the system, or moaning when they don't need so much. People with food stamps generally help those that can not afford to buy as much as others, but won't or can't apply. I have seen this replay a million times in my own family.

I never gave anything to these people for the food. I never promised anything. They simply understood what being hungry was and had a way to help solve it.

If you are getting the food from someone who bought it with food stamps, then what is the difference?
My as well just go and apply yourself.

It is true that there are many who have lots of kids when they cannot afford it. That is where the taxpayer comes in...
As the IRS reports, something like the top 50% of wage earners pay over 90% of all the income taxes

The poor in america have no incentive to think for themselves, to make good decisions, to work to improve their situation...when they KNOW the people who DO think for themselves, make good decisions, and work to improve their situation WILL take care of them.

We have one rental house. It is a section 8 tenant. She has six kids(35yrs old)...one of which already has an infant(at the age of 16). We, meaning the taxpayer, not only pays 100% of her rent...but also 150 dollars a month towards her utilities.

I'm an ex-cop who has seen the guts of our innercities in a way that most of you never will. This is a disease and is EVERYWHERE. This is NOT a media induced illusion, as someone on here has suggested. This is REALITY.

And abuses of welfare in this country is much more common than most people realize.
My younger brother, after inheriting millions from my deceased step-father, lost his job at Centex when the housing boom collapsed. He then went and applied for welfare. He got the maximum amount for about a year.
This is while living in a half million dollar house with three new vehicles over 30K in value.

People need to learn how to stand on their own two feet in this country.

And by the way, there are NO POOR in this country. NONE.
If you want to see poor, go to another country....like mexico, haiti, africa, etc...

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Why I don't get, is why do people come on the board and we tell them trim the food budget? And yet many people are spending less per person than $280/month + $65 WIC for 1 woman and 1 child!

So how come we tell people to trim their food spending if they are paying off debt, yet if they are getting assistance, we can understand spending $280/month?

[SnoopyCool]

We tend to speak to people and tell them what they want to hear or give them our sympathies, or they want to feel justified.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by aukxsona

A local family with just four people also receives 800 dollars in food stamps.

They have given us over 200 dollars worth of food this past week.

It is illegal, but since I qualify but will not apply I don't see why anyone could complain.

You don't see why anyone would complain that you are doing something that you admit is illegal and cheating the system by getting the benefits without going through proper channels?

[aukxsona]

edited

[zooracer]

Originally Posted by aukxsona

How am I cheating, I am getting less than i am ENTITLED too? Also would you rather I go use 800 dollars a month in food stamps I don't need? Or let me put it another way, would rather the food they were going to give my family go to their dogs which is where it was going to go?

If a person says they are poor, no matter what they do it is wrong. So you would have me go ask for the benefits, even though I don't need the 800 dollars and I can't ask for less so you can berate me. You will berate me for not asking. You will berate me for saying the TRUTH which is malnutrition set in and that's why I accepted it claiming that is not possible. You would probably berate me for NOT taking the help too if something were to happen to my children.

As for people not being poor, may be you think that but real poverty does exist in America. Poverty like in Hati.

No, we do not have poverty like in haiti or jamaica, for that matter.

My wife was born in jamaica, so you can be certain that she knows what true poverty is.

This is, for now, one of the richest countries in the world. As a result, it's citizens get to enjoy lots of free food, free rent, free houses, etc...

There ARE some people in the this country who, perhaps, deserve welfare/food stamps/etc...

However, the majority, do not.

Unfortunately, when you allow the govt. to run...well...just about anything outside of defense of this country (and that could be debated), you can be sure it will be done ineffectively and inefficiently.

As a result, it is abused...

This is why many have a problem with the welfare systems in this country.

As an aside...I have some questions for you auksona,

Are you on dial up or dsl for your computer?
Do you have picture of you with your family to share?
Do you own your house and land or rent?

[aukxsona]

edited

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by aukxsona

How am I cheating, I am getting less than i am ENTITLED too? Also would you rather I go use 800 dollars a month in food stamps I don't need?

You've posted the reasons why you don't apply for aid, and I certainly won't argue with that. From what you've said, the system is seriously flawed where you live. But if you don't want to do what you need to do to get the aid, you aren't entitled to bypass the system and get the aid through illegitimate means.

The family sharing their food with you applied and got into the system the proper way. They're doing what the system requires to get their assistance.

What should happen to excess money? Ideally, it should be returned and there should be a simple system in place to allow that to happen. If you are eligible for $800/month and only need $500/month, they should take back the overage and use it to help more people.

How are food stamps distributed? Is it with a prepaid debit card of some sort? What happens to unused credit on the card? If someone gets $800 and only spends $500, where does the other $300 go? Does it stay on the card indefinitely or does it expire and get wiped out of the account?