Community Chat

[Pook]

@Cakers3  stated  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.

No need to sell their card.  They just go with the person they sell them to and buy groceries and get the money or give the card to someone who pays them a lesser price than what is available and give the card back.  There is no real way to track fraud even if the card is habitually misplaced.  The person could have done their shopping anywhere the card was used.  Although they do have a small charge which is to be taken from the person's account after so many cards are replaced.  Doesn't stop them from requesting another though.

[cherry]

I am a Christian and

Christ never said ,check bank balances before you help people. He said feed My sheep

I won't turn anyone away. Perhaps their clothes came from a thrift shop, the phone might be a gift. A tattoo might be done for free, by a friend

I don't want to turn someone away ,because I  don't think it is my job to judge  what they look like

If had had to get food from a church pantry ,I would try to look as presentable as I could, to collect it. It would show that I am still trying to do my best ,to live a decent sort of life. I care about how I look, and what sort of impression I give

I once heard a good piece of advice, if you are so busy judging the people you serve, you have no time to love them

A friend working at the church food cupboard ,told me about a couple of rough characters with devils tattooed all over their arms. They came is saying we want food, where is the food

She gave them each a small parcel, because we are supposed to see Christ in everyone. Maybe her kindness is all they ever learn about serving God ,and neighbor, and perhaps someday they will do unto others in a good way. She might have prevented a purse snatching or  worse

[lovesrecess]

Having seen school lunches for 35 years, I can tell you that over time, they have become increasingly “yucky” and even the hungriest of kids from the poorest homes tend to pick at them and eat just a fraction of them, if any.  Sending home frozen meals made up of food the kids don’t eat anyway, doesn’t sound like a very good solution to the hunger problem. I do think it is a very good way to cut down on wasting food...but only if the food is desirable enough to be eaten.

[lovesrecess]

When I was teaching, Ib oils easily identify a child who did not have enough food. I think teachers should be given a little credit. When I saw kids picking through the trash can in the cafeteria when the bell rang, and saw them pulling out uneaten apples or even partially eaten pizza, I knew they were hungry!

[lovesrecess]

The same food is served in the school cafeteria to all students, whether on free or reduced lunch or not. Kids who didn’t qualify usually brought their own lunch. So many full trays of food were dumped into the trash as soon as they left the serving line. It got so bad we started the policy of removing the trash can near the serving line and requiring kids to wait until the end of the lunch period to throw away the food...hoping If they were forced to stare at it during the lunch period they might take a few bites.

[happycat]

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@lovesrecess wrote:
When I was teaching, Ib oils easily identify a child who did not have enough food. I think teachers should be given a little credit. When I saw kids picking through the trash can in the cafeteria when the bell rang, and saw them pulling out uneaten apples or even partially eaten pizza, I knew they were hungry!

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That is so sad.

My DIL is a teacher and they send food home every friday with kids. I have bought some of the food, she says the kids they are helping are happy to get anything.

[reiki604]

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@Pook wrote:

It is a great idea but the sad reality is that those families who are really  struggling are the ones that won't apply for SNAP and other help and will not go to food banks, etc. The ones that get it all are the ones that get SNAP and other benefits which would adequately provide for their children.  They qualify for free coats, boots, etc as well as school clothing supplies so they should be able to at least feed their kids properly.  With SNAP there is enough to go around food wise if the parents don't sell their benefits for their own pleasures - cigarettes, alcohol and drugs!  Many don't know how to shop even semi wisely and prepare food.  Other parents also take the food meant for the children and the kids get very little if any of it.   I know my mother would have starved rather than send us to school without breakfast and a lunch.

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Please let us know where you got this information and proof of these accusations. Is there any person of spirit or religion who would deny sustenance to a person, especially a child, without a means test?

[50Mickey]

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@Cakers3 wrote:

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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)

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You are so right Cakers. I spent my entire career working with people who received SNAP back then called food stamps. Some received Meidcaid and a few received tmporary assistance. It is a myth that poor people are living high cheating the government. The benefits that they receive are not meant to cover all expenses. Programs like these are much needed to supplement the SNAP benefits. Who could possibly find fault with helping to supplement a family's food budget and giving a child a few meals for the weekend? For the most part parents do their best to tke care of their children. Just because a person has a nice home dosen't mean they don't occasionally need a ittle help. 

[Drythe]

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@Sooner wrote:

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@millieshops wrote:

@SoonerOn a guess, these foods are going to kids who are already on free or reduced priced lunches.  Where I taught, the teachers were not involved in making those decisions.  Various agencies in and out of the schools were.

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@millieshops That's what I am talking about.  I think there should be some avenue for making sure that people who are in need get help.  And that those who don't qualify for help aren't stealing from them.  I think that is the responsibility of people to see that those who really need help get it. 

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@Sooner 

What people?

Easy to say let someone (else) do it, but who?

Ask yourself, ‘If not me then who?’

[drizzellla]

I applaud them for trying to help. At least they are trying to help the students that could use it.

When my son was in grade school I briefly worked in the cafeteria. Was that an eye opener. I honestly think far more food was thrown out than eaten by the children. For one entire week, they tried to have the children eat fresh fruit. So every child going through the line had to pick out an apple, or orange, or pear or banana. It cost the children nothing. At the end of the line there was a trash can. And it seemed like every child dumped their fresh fruit into the trash can. Very very few children walk away with fruit still on their tray.

It is a tough situation - getting some children to eat and also getting other children enough to eat.