Here's a good article about people being on the food stamps and still
hungry :-( Can it get any worse?



On food stamps and still hungry - May. 6, 2008

This article made me feel really sad.
I feel like I shouldn't eat out and save the money for more groceries and donate more to the food banks. I wonder if it can get any worse than it is right now...God help us!

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this is so sad

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I think that a family of 4 should be able to eat quite well for $500 something a month!!! I think that these people need to be smarter shoppers!!!! I know years ago when we had food stamps we ate better then we ever have when paying cash for our groceries. I don't think that they need to boost the food stamp allotment. I don't mean to sound cruel, but the rest of us did not get a boost in our food budget just because the prices are rising. We all just have to buckle down and shop smarter. Get our priorities straight.

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I see both sides here. It is sad to see people who are already feeling desperate affected by rising food prices; the example of the Mom trying to feed her family of 4 on $135/month is dispicable. That needs to change.
However, Happymom is right about the maximum payout of $500+ dollars. If you are being a wise shopper, you can feed a family of 4 on that. Maybe your produce isn't always fresh, but frozen is just as good for you and there is nothing wrong with eating clearance meat. This is how many of us normally eat.
For example, the Mom who was going without, so her daughter could eat....I don't understand. They state that she is getting $280/month in food stamps and $65/month from another program that I am assuming is something like WIC. That is enough money to feed one adult and one child, even with diapers and formula (and I say this living in one of the most expensive areas of the country). I just don't get those numbers.....

Yep liamsmom, I was trying to figure out those numbers too. They don't add up. I definately think that people shouldn't go hungry, but as I read the article, I was definately thinking what in the world are they buying. It definately has to do with smart shopping and the chocies of food you buy.

If I read correctly, the mom of 4 with $135/month has 4 GROWN children!! Also, I am not trying to be rude, but we are a family of 5 with way less grocery money! And, the mom I am talking about that takes food stamps and volunteers at a soup kitchen - Can't she get a JOB instead of volunteering?? It sure would make sense seeing that she can work; she just chooses to work for no money and get free grocery money from the government.

I feed my family of five (all my boys and dh are big eaters too) on less than that! And we eat meat at almost every dinner too. I do not understand it. Yes where they live, they may pay more than some of us. But come on! That's why I buy store brand items, clearance items, bake and cook more from scratch and buy powdered milk for baking, cooking and if need be for drinking. I would be thrilled to have $500 every month to shop on. PLUS dont these people use their own money when it comes to grocery shopping???? Arent food stamps just suppose to be a supplement??

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We also have to remember, that grocery prices are different in all areas. Even in the same state, sometimes the same town. If you don't have a car, and the closest store to you is a high priced market, what are you going to do? I am sure there are cases where people just aren't educated on how to make the most of their food dollars. And one could take the bus to a cheaper store. But how much groceries can you fit on the bus? Not much, I know.
Yes, most of us should be able to feed a family of 4 with 500 dollars, if we have to. But just because someone is getting foodstamps, doesn't mean that they are getting the full amount. That is for people that either don't have jobs, are are making a very small amount. Once you start making an amount that almost covers the rest of your bills, you are cut down. So a lot of people that get food stamps are only getting an amount that covers part of their grocery bill. So that family of 4 who gets a minimum wage job, and lets say they get full time. Their food stamps are probably cut in half. So maybe on some slim budget with no fresh fruits and veggies(wich in my opinion aren't much more expensive that frozen) or a bunch of hot dogs and chicken for the meat, lots of ramen noodles, if you don't live close to a decent grocery store, you are going to be hurting.

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Is the woman with the 4mo not on WIC? How much is food in Washington anyway?