Community Chat

[Tinkrbl44]

Interesting idea  ......  I've never heard the term "food insecurity" before.

[jonbon]

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@hckynut wrote:

Let us not forget that millions of United States born children are: Over Fed and UNDERNOURISHED!  This is very seldom mentioned and child obesity is a BIG thing in our country.

hckynut

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That's not what we're talking about here.

[Cakers3]

Last update from the USDA submits that less than 1% of SNAP EBT cards are sold.

There are also regulations in place for SNAP users who habitually "lose" or "misplace" their cards; the sold cards are tracked so replacement cards can flag fraud now.

We really don't know how many people do not apply for SNAP; some people may not even be aware of the program and/or feel if they work they would not qualify.

I agree that nutrition counseling should be shored up but SNAP allows non-nutritional foods to be purchased.

And that leads to the issue of not allowing a person to buy a birthday cake with SNAP, e.g.  We see that everyone should be able to buy a cake, no matter how it is paid for.

Right now that item can be purchased with SNAP; but others feel a SNAP recipient should not be allowed to buy certain items.  That is up to the govt to decide, not some nosey Rosey resenting a poor neighbor some help.

The issue ultimately falls not only on the gov't but for us to do what we can, without judging, either by donating or volunteering.

We don't know everyone's situation; a nice house or a decent car does not mean a person isn't in need; some need temporary help, some need it long-term.

The issue comes down to one thing:  nobody should go hungry in this country.

[Financialgrl]

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@Sooner wrote:

I think programs like that should not be handled through schools.  Teachers are not trained, they have no way to really identify need and I think that when teachers and education in general is in dire lack of funding, this should be done through established agencies that deal with need and are staffed and trained to do it.

I think it is wonderful that unused food goes to those in need. But I think it should be done in a fair way--and I don't think schools are able to assess read need.  You would not have social services folks teach. . . 

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I worked for our school system at the central offices back in early 2000s.  The free/reduced lunch program was administered not at the schools but at the central offices. 

I''m guessing some school systems don't have a lot of resources but often these kids/families are already in the system bc they have older siblings and the family is  already receiving services from student services.  For example, I think a lot of schools have Child Study where meetings are set up with a parent to help an underperforming student succeed.  I know in our schools each Child Study has a guidance counselor, social worker, psyhologist, etc in attendance and part of those meetings. 

[Cakers3]

SNAP is also a supplemental program; it is not meant to feed a family completely.

Last figures:  $1.40 per person per meal. 

How much can one person buy?

[dex]

@Cakers3 @I think if you have a nice home,car and good job then you must need to rearrange your priorities if you can’t feed your family.

[Cakers3]

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@dex wrote:

@Cakers3 @I think if you have a nice home,car and good job then you must need to rearrange your priorities if you can’t feed your family.

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@dex   Decent housing, a decent car, and a "good job" (whatever that means) does not mean a person isn't adequately feeding a family.

People work hard to earn that home, that car; and job loss, medical bills, etc. can obviously cause income to diminish significantly.

Stuff happens to people. 

If I know a person/family has SNAP, (and it really wouldn't be my business) I cannot determine if they are living high but not feeding their children.

This is such a misconception about people who receive assistance-that they must be scammers because they don't live in subsidized housing or have to take public transportation.

And those perceptions are equally wrong.

Since fraud is so low and the govt does what it can to prevent and/or catch abuse, I am not concerned about the 1% of POSSIBLE abuse.

And again-how many here can exist on $1.40 per meal per person?  (National Average)

[cherry]

We don't pry, into the lives of those we help. Some of these people might have addiction problems, gamble, or who knows what? They can be teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, and perhaps the house is in foreclosure. Who would deny those poor children ,that had been starved by their parents, food? I certainly wouldn't .

Christ commanded us to feed the hungry ,and that is what we do

We can't fix everyone that is broken, and to deny them food, is something we will never do, thank God

[NicksmomESQ]

   I donate a lot of time & money to the local food bank. One of my biggest gripes is that a country as well off as ours should never allow anybody to go hungry or without shelter!! But yet we do.

  I’m very impressed by this program.We need to think of creative ways to feed people who are in need.There really is so much waste of good food in schools & restaurants. Being creative with this excess is one way to address the problem.

[dex]

.I don’t mind helping and have always helped people in need.I grew up poor and by today’s standards third world poor...no shampoo(bar soap)tv,phone,wood heat,wore used clothing etc.I have to say after working in food banks and noticing people have the latest iPhones,tattoos and jewelry makes me wonder if I am not just supplementing their lifestyle.I think apeople are in need of life management skills to get self sufficiency.