Food stamps experience

I read your “food stamp challenge” (5/30, FYI). I was on food stamps for about two years. I had two children. When I first got my food stamps, I blew through them like water. Before the middle of the month, I was out.
I took a class after that to learn how to stretch them. After the classes, stores like Aldi’s and the bread store outlet became a way of life to us. There were a few months that I had a few dollars left over to save for better meals.
The one thing people don’t realize is that food stamps don’t pay for paper products. Good luck trying to get toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, laundry soap and tampons.
I do appreciate being able to get the help I needed at the time.
J. Smith
Lone Jack

Comments

[nosheepleallowed]

Your son could be deemed "over qualified".
It happens.

[jack]

This person is an example of what the welfare system is for. The vast majority of recipients, those that are in a tough time. Who need help to get through that brief time and then never need it again.

I worked my way through college starting at 28 years old. I was layed off from my job one semester short of graduation. I stretched and manipulated and borrowed but by 3 months shy of graduation there was nothing left. I had job offers contingent upon my completing college. I also had a seven year old and a 15 month old child. I swallowed my pride and signed up for welfare.

The entire system was designed to be humiliating. To drive you down and let you know that you were groveling. Thankfully, I could see the end before I went there the first time. I can't imagine how miserable it must be for folks to go there that don't know how they are ever going to get off. The humiliation must be a heavy burden.

I had a 20 year career based on that college degree. One of my boys will receive his second college degree, which should get him a biog money job, before the end of this year. The other was just Honorably Discharged from the US Army.

I think the government (YOU!) made a good investment in me and my boys.