Philomena Gist understands why it hurts so much to be on food stamps. After all, she’s got a master’s degree in psychology.
“There’s pride in being able to take care of yourself,” says the Columbus, Ohio, resident, laid off last year from a mortgage company and living on workers’ compensation benefits while recovering from surgery. “I’m not supposed to be in this condition.”
Neither are many of the 27.5 million Americans relying on government aid to keep food on their tables amid unemployment and rising prices. Average enrollment in the food stamps program has surpassed the record set in 1994, though the percentage of Americans on food stamps is still lower than records set in 1993-95. The numbers continue to climb.
Hopefully, those working in food stamp and WIC centers will have matured a bit as well since we had to use these services after our daughter was born 20+ years ago.
When we were going to the WIC center, we were one of the few non-African American clients, and were treated with suspicion by the case workers, who would put us through the 3rd degree each month we went in to collect our ‘coupons’ for the month.
It was like they thought we were taking money out of the hands of ‘those who needed it more’ than we did. Which was nonsense as we were hardly in a strong financial condition. I mean, we were driving a 1976 Pinto and a hand-me down Olds Cutlass SS from my parents (that really needed transmission work!).
After about six months, we had had enough of the abuse and quit the program. We were able to manage without it, but it was tough. We did continue going to the Health Center for the free well-baby check-ups and immunization shots. At least we were treated nicely there.
Jim Elliott
No one should ever be treated shabbily when going to get government services, No. 1. I’m sorry you had to endure that.
I believe in less government and more opportunity for self-reliance, but I have far less of a problem with a government program that gives assistance to buy *food* and only food, rather than one that simply gives out checks.
That being said, however, I wish we as a people were more helpful to one another so such things would not be needed as much. If neighbors noticed that other neighbors were struggling, and either invited them over for dinner several nights a week or bought them groceries, perhaps we wouldn’t need such a bloated government to do it. (This is what I have tried to do with family members whom I have observed struggling, although I’m sure I can and should have done more.)
“It was like they thought we were taking money out of the hands of ‘those who needed it more’ than we did. Which was nonsense as we were hardly in a strong financial condition. ”
Obviously there is a finite number of resources to go round. Thus, anybody who gets “free” services takes this from someone else (who presumably needs it less).
If somebody needs food stamps to feed their child and would otherwise be borrowing or stealing, then it is certainly better to accept the government’s charity. If one can get by by taking another job, one should do so (bin there, done that, and I worked three jobs at one time to make ends meet).
However what I see is that there are a large number of folks who consider it “thrifty” and a good idea to accept what amounts to charity, because “we qualify for it”. This may be because they have managed to get a “qualifying diagnosis” like “bipolar” (however bogus that diagnosis might be) or it may be that they have managed to shelter most of their assets into non-revenue producing streams (common around here with a farm economy).
Usually I take folks word for it and assume that if they say they are poor, they are. It does irritate me when some folks who are obviously wealthy (lawyers and accountants) who maintain Blue Cross for themselves and their healthy children get a misbehaving teenager on medicaid with some bogus diagnosis so as to reduce costs.
Because in point of fact in those cases there are other folks who need it more. All physicians have a limit on the number of new medicaid patients they can afford to take on without bancrupting their practicies. Most people are willing to help out, but it does assume that those who need help do whatever they can to avoid having to accept it.
In the case above, it is hard for me to believe that a psychologist/real estate broker could not find a job driving trucks, working at a restaurant, or at a chicken factory or at any number of tasks that would allow her to make a living (after moving from an expensive home she can’t afford to an apartment).
Bin there, and done that also.
I guess my wife and I are among the more fortunate ones in that both of us are retired and have a relatively good income. I am retired with 100% disability from the USAF.
There was a time, though, when our situation wasn’t as rosy. Living on military pay was far from easy when we had two small children to provide for, and frequent Permanent Changes of Station were the norm.
Too often, we lose sight of the fact that thousands of military families are in the same boat as their civilian counterparts, and they too are on the Federal Food Stamp program. Here in Los Banos, California, our church participates in the Manna Ministries program at our local Methodist church parish, and we are there every fifth Sunday.
On the average, we feed anywhere from 30 to 50 people of all ages, many of whom are homeless, and we expect that number to rise. Some are low-income seniors who come for companionship (that’s good!), and others are in genuine need for real help. Others come for fellowship with neighbors while at the same time, they help in the kitchen and contribute financially.
I think it gives us a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, because we, too, could be in the same circumstances.
Clueless,
Just for the record, we were living on one income. When we researched a second job, it turned out that day care/child care would cost MORE than the second job would bring in, plus our baby would be in the hands of strangers. We chose to sacrifice (our dignity) to ensure that the baby had enough food. It was NOT a decision we made lightly. And we didn’t have the new cars like the others in the waiting room had.
This line should read:
We chose to sacrifice (our dignity) to ensure that a) the baby had enough food and b) she would be raised by a family member in a family setting (unfortunately the only extended family we had in the area said quite clearly “don’t come to us for help”).
Further thought:
No, our church did not have the ministries to help us out, either. They were going through a bit of a ego trip at the time. It was a weird situation there. We still can’t figure that one out.
JE
That’s what WIC is there for. Making sure that kids eat.
WIC gave us coupons for free milk, cheese, bread, cereal (certain brands), and the like. necessary staples only, no luxury items. It is a good program, and even this conservative supports it. I just hope the people running it locally grow up a bit.