Food stamp users feel pinch

From my experience at work with people who have Access cards, many of them, instean of buying bread and milk, will come to the counter with six snicker bars, potato chips, and 2-liters of coke. Not to mention that they usually have cash to get cigarettes afterward. So go ahead government, cut the funds, motivate people to get jobs and not have children that they cant afford to feed.

I think that food stamps can be benificial but at the same time people do not use them correctly. working at a gas station really shows how people waste the governments money that they are giving them. There are always people coming into the store and buying three pounds of beef jerky, energy drinks and twinkies, this should not be allowed. food stamps should only work for the direct needs of life, like bread, some drinks, lunch meats, fruits, and vegetables. everything else is just a waste.

Welcome to our club, only we have to earn the money we are feeling the pinch with.

I think your stretch pants are a little tight, ALLI.

Our liberal leadership at the state and local level will just tax us more so they can take care of these poor people.

Big Bag of charcoal in her basket...hmmm. Is THAT what she's feeding the children these days?

Are those Cheetos in her hand Ida?

Ida--is that you in the photo?

:) citi

If food stamps aren't going far enough these days, perhaps they should get a J-O-B. Besides, anyone with half a brain should know better than to shop at convenience stores. It's ok for bread or milk, but to actually shop there for groceries is ridiculous. People could at least use the cards wisely. What's someone doing in a conveniece store at midnight with a 2 yr. old anyhow? maybe that's the problem...no sense of responsibility.

For those of us who shop at Erie County Farms with the cold hard cash we spent weeks working for and we get behind a mom of three buying Steaks, Ribs, Lobster, Filet Mignon, Prime Rib with Food Stamps is disgusting. I would love to dine with these people who eat better than Royalty.

I know that if I were given $300 a month to supplement my food purchases, rationing it through the month, I would be able to make it easily. As the article says, it's meant to supplement, not be the entire grocery budget.

citigirl wrote:

Big Bag of charcoal in her basket...hmmm. Is THAT what she's feeding the children these days?
Are those Cheetos in her hand Ida?
Ida--is that you in the photo?
:) citi

In the poor parts of the city if you check out the front porches around dinner time, you'll see a ton of small BBQ grills in use. It saves the tenant on gas and electric.(true). In many cases the electricity has been turned off. you'd be amazed how people can improvise when they're hungry.

Eriegurl wrote:

For those of us who shop at Erie County Farms with the cold hard cash we spent weeks working for and we get behind a mom of three buying Steaks, Ribs, Lobster, Filet Mignon, Prime Rib with Food Stamps is disgusting. I would love to dine with these people who eat better than Royalty.

Ditto, seen it many times.

Eriegurl writes;
"For those of us who shop at Erie County Farms with the cold hard cash we spent weeks working for and we get behind a mom of three buying Steaks, Ribs, Lobster, Filet Mignon, Prime Rib with Food Stamps is disgusting."

You forgot to mention the $20 T-shirts,$60 pants,$200 shoes, and the cell phones, jewelry, etc.

I've always thought that it was the "working poor" who should be supplemented. I'd see no problem with that. At least they would be out trying. My problem is with people who have chosen to live a certain lifestyle, we have to pay the price for it. The welfare laws should be reformed.....I do feel really sorry for the kids though, it's not their fault....it's the fault of their irresponsible parent (s)????. They don't stand much of a chance in life....

I have stood in a grocery line only to see this lady pay her bill with food stamps wearing a fur coat. Now don't that beat all.

khp33 wrote:

<quoted text>
In the poor parts of the city if you check out the front porches around dinner time, you'll see a ton of small BBQ grills in use. It saves the tenant on gas and electric.(true). In many cases the electricity has been turned off. you'd be amazed how people can improvise when they're hungry.

Yes, thank you.

:) citi

I the feel pinch also, however I clip coupons buy sale items stay away from the junk food. I wonder if this lady makes efforts to do the same. Or maybe she's to busy eating cheetos and making baby's to budget.

WEll don't get so up set white people pretty soon we will all be to poor to shop for anything and we will all be wishing for grub stubs. when gas is 8.00 a gallon and bread costs $6. And you can't buy crystal meth any more. You'll feel the pinch.

yomama wrote:

WEll don't get so up set white people pretty soon we will all be to poor to shop for anything and we will all be wishing for grub stubs. when gas is 8.00 a gallon and bread costs $6. And you can't buy crystal meth any more. You'll feel the pinch.

Hope you are not reffering to me. First I am not white. Don't do drugs and pay enough in taxes to support 2 families on welfare. I would much rather keep it myself since I did work.

Shopping at convenience stores with food stamps makes no sense, either. If you truly want to make the most of the food budget, you go to a large grocery store and buy the store brands. You shop for stuff in quantity when it's on sale.

You also don't drag your 2-year-old to a convenience store at midnight and shop without any apparent plan for your purchases. And before anyone jumps on me about her having to take the child, she has a 14-year-old with her as well, from the story.

Years ago, I worked in a convenience store. People used to bring the paper food stamps in (well before ACCESS cards), and buy a small item, typically 25 cents or so. They'd get 75 cents or so in change. Then they'd send each of their kids to do the same - buy a small item with a food stamp. Then, they'd gather all the change, and buy cigarettes.

Also, I remember standing in line at the grocery store behind people who would be buying TV dinners, frozen pizzas, and other convenience foods, while I was buying whatever was on sale. If they're not working, they have time to cook meals.

Just me wrote:

Shopping at convenience stores with food stamps makes no sense, either. If you truly want to make the most of the food budget, you go to a large grocery store and buy the store brands. You shop for stuff in quantity when it's on sale.
You also don't drag your 2-year-old to a convenience store at midnight and shop without any apparent plan for your purchases. And before anyone jumps on me about her having to take the child, she has a 14-year-old with her as well, from the story.
Years ago, I worked in a convenience store. People used to bring the paper food stamps in (well before ACCESS cards), and buy a small item, typically 25 cents or so. They'd get 75 cents or so in change. Then they'd send each of their kids to do the same - buy a small item with a food stamp. Then, they'd gather all the change, and buy cigarettes.
Also, I remember standing in line at the grocery store behind people who would be buying TV dinners, frozen pizzas, and other convenience foods, while I was buying whatever was on sale. If they're not working, they have time to cook meals.

Thank you so much for the post. It brought back memories. Just how do these people have time to find ways to get over on the system, but not find a job.