Grocery shopping with food stamps

[nodmicks]

I dont know what the solution is but something has to be done to catch the abuse. It is a way of life for too many healthy able bodied people instead of a helping hand for a while. Our state is so backlogged that even if someone gets reported for blatant fraud it will not get investigated.

Do other states schools have free food available at school during the summer for low income kids? Ours does and I am happy to have my tax $ pay for it. We have a boy down the road we always sent groceries home with in the summer once we realized the kids were not getting enough to eat on weekend and in the summer when school was out.

[LynnLC]

I dont know what the solution is but something has to be done to catch the abuse. It is a way of life for too many healthy able bodied people instead of a helping hand for a while. Our state is so backlogged that even if someone gets reported for blatant fraud it will not get investigated.

Do other states schools have free food available at school during the summer for low income kids? Ours does and I am happy to have my tax $ pay for it. We have a boy down the road we always sent groceries home with in the summer once we realized the kids were not getting enough to eat on weekend and in the summer when school was out.

I think you are wonderful for doing that....but can I ask? Where are his parents? Grandparents?

[Josephhgoins]

I'll be honest; my personal opinion is that the whole food stamp program needs to be completely redone.

It is designed to keep you on it, once you get on it.

I think it should be re-written and the money should just be given in the form of a check every 6 or 8 weeks. That way the person in need can use the money for clothes for a job interview, gas/insurance in the car to get there or for classes to take to help them get the job. Maybe even buy some things from Farmers markets or us it for supplies to grow their own to stretch it even further.

We all eat differently and what is junk food for some is mother’s milk to others. I think if you are going to give someone something, you should just give it to them and not put stimulations on it. So, if she wanted the hot chicken, then she should have been able to get it. For all the Government knows, she could be out with her kids and need to feed them lunch. A hot chicken from Costco, some rolls and soda's would be far cheaper than McDonalds and no worse for them.

I agree that some classes should be offered, but only to those that are willing to take them. Of course the first thing addresses would be healthy eating and second should be cooking. Third, should be shopping. I am amazed at the number of people that can’t shop to make the money go as far as possible.

When I was little one of the programs gave some families, peanut butter, cheese, dry milk and a few other staples. It was a great program, which was hard to abuse. If you didn’t want those things you didn’t sign up.

Basically, some people will abuse the system no matter what you do. Why not make it as easy for the folks that really need it as you can.

[Vanilla]

Vanilla you are exactly right. Our business pays Unemployment Insurance etc...you are stating it correct. I know cause I deal with that end of it at the business. Every week.

It is in NO way, shape or form welfare. If you have never worked you can't get it unlike the government assisted programs. It comes out of the "trust" you are speaking of.

Yes, you pay income tax on unemployment...No you do not pay income tax on food stamps.

Unemployment is NOT welfare. It is EMployer based.

Thanks, Niko, for confirming that unemployment is NOT 'welfare',

[nodmicks]

I think you are wonderful for doing that....but can I ask? Where are his parents? Grandparents?

They live with a low income single mom. 5 kids. Dad took off for parts unknown with a younger woman. Grandparents are in CO.

[oheoh's momma]

I guess I am the minority here I do think the government should be the food police and tell individuals what they can and cannot purchase it is a form of communism. They do give u flyers on what to purchase that is the most econimical (sp error). Oranges are cheap and I hate them. I hate generic coffee. If I want a soda every now it is ok. It is hot now and most people are not cooking now so convenience are being used alot. If someone is misusing them report them they are the working poor let them have some enjoyment. I have been on and off.

[oheoh's momma]

do not think should be food police

[Carlad]

I am trying to teach this to my daughter. She is 20, married and pregnant and they are trying to make it on their own.

The cheapest and healthiest way to eat is to buy food in its natural unprocessed state and prepare it yourself.