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Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 12:06:57 AM

selfbnd411

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I saw this story on the Colbert Report. Supposedly, food stamp recipents receive only $21/week in benefits, and there's a campaign for people to take the "Food Stamp Challenge" to show how impossible is is to live on $21 per person a week. I saw an article debunking both these claims, but it was a conservative blog so I double checked with the USDA Food Stamp Program info website. Yup--the average food stamp benefit isn't $21/week, it's $94/week.

Even if it wasn't so high, though--is it really impossible to survive on $21/week? My current diet is less than $21/week and I do just fine. I eat cheese sandwiches for lunch (load them up with veggies) and sandwiches or rice with stir fried veggies cooked from scratch for dinner. I also go to the gym 4x a week plus I'm working a summer job on a delivery truck so it's not like I lay around the house all day.

And yet I read articles claiming that one cannot survive on $21/week--it leaves you tired, irritable, and listless. That seems odd to me, considering that I don't feel hungry, I'm not starving, and I don't feel tired/irritable/listless despite expending vastly more energy than I'll wager any of the pundits who have declared the challenge impossible. We are so spoiled now that we think life without bottled water and premium iced tea is not worth living. Certainly, everyone has the right to at least three meals out a week, right? And cook food? From scratch? Such a thing hasn't been heard of since the dawn of mankind! What a bunch of wusses.

http://www.bakersfield.com/806/story/156824.html (Journalist claims she starved to death doing it)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/21/AR2007052101349.html
http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/33fsmonthly.htm
http://newsbusters.org/node/12926

Post #: 1

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 12:40:38 AM

b12345

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Joined: 3/27/2007
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Yep with some planning I don't think $21 a week would be a problem. 50ld. bags of rice can be had for under $20, and that will last for a good long time as a side to meals. chicken and pork can both be had for fairly cheap, as well as pastas. Not to mention food stamps are a supplement. Its not like if you are on food stamps you are banned from using other resources to obtain food. From a global perspective even the 'poor' of this country are quite well off.

(in reply to selfbnd411)

Post #: 2

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 1:13:21 AM

popeye1250

Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
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I agree.
Most people in India get most of their protein needs from beans and rice.
We are spoiled in this country!
Go to your local Mall and tell me people are "hungry!" lol
They didn't get those fat rolls by eating lettuce!
Self, you're doing *very* well if you hit the gym 4 times a week.

(in reply to b12345)

Post #: 3

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 4:40:57 AM

MstrssPassion

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From: West Palm Beach, FL
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I kinda thought the point of the program was to assist people with their expenses. If the complaint is that they only get X amount of dollars & they can't completely cover their needs on X amount of dollars then they are obviously abusing the system. It was set up as public assistence program.... not support your broke ass so you do nothing program.

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Post #: 4

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 5:57:56 AM

mistoferin

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We just recently had a thread on this, you can find it here:

http://www.collarchat.com/m_978469/mpage_1/key_welfare/tm.htm

As I pointed out in the other thread, the vast majority of people that the food stamp program serves are children. The next leading group of people are the disabled. While I am certain that there are abuses of the system, they have made changes to make it very difficult for able bodied persons to obtain these kinds of benefits.

While you may be able to exist on what you stated, children need balanced nutrition and shouldn't be existing on cheese sandwiches and stir fried vegetables.

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Post #: 5

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 6:04:11 AM

michaelOfGeorgia

Posts: 4253
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i get $113.00 a month, that's approximately $26.00 a week, and i still have to dip into my pocket for food after i'm done shopping. i'm a single person living alone and i don't get enough to make ends meet.

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Post #: 6

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 6:33:09 AM

MsSonnetMarwood

Posts: 1898
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There's something to be said for working for a living.

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Post #: 7

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 6:44:56 AM

Aileen68

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Food stamps are meant to supplement, not to be the only source of funds for buying food. If you have a need for food stamps then I think you should also find some way to become responsible enough and educate yourself in proper shopping. Buy bulk, nutritious items that require cooking and will go along way. Use coupons. Get a courtesy card for further discounts. There are many ways to maximize that money. Ice cream is not essential. Prepared foods are a huge waste of money. Etc. etc. etc.

(in reply to selfbnd411)

Post #: 8

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 8:46:23 AM

chiaThePet

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Judging from the sum total of the cars on the lawn

multiply by twenty, and suddenly "Dinner is served".

Said programs are in place to help those whom are

in genuine need of help. (there but for the grace of God)

It just pisses me off though when i see more empty beer cases

than empty milk cartons lined up at the curb on garbage day.

chia* (the pet)

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Post #: 9

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 9:04:44 AM

sambamanslilgirl

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From: Chicago, IL
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*dons her flame-resistant suit before replying*

i'm a single working mom of 2 UMs - one who's TBI (traumatic brain injured) receiving SSI and we're on food stamps. i won't say how much we receive and NO, i'm not abusing the system before you make that assumption. however for a big city like Chicago, they go by your rent, income, SSI and other financial income, utilities, etc that's how your food stamp amount is determined. yes, there's a way to eat healthy on the food stamp program yet i don't think eating cheese sandwiches and stir fry veggies (which i do get) constantly would be considered a healthy diet for mine.

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Post #: 10

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 9:50:03 AM

NakedOnMyChain

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Joined: 11/29/2004
From: Indiana
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Twenty-one dollars a week is still not enough to provide a healthy balance of foods. If you're to get your balanced servings of food the way the food pyramid recommends, twenty-one bucks won't cut it. There is no variety, as you yourself have said. It is especially unhealthy for children.

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Post #: 11

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 10:01:17 AM

chiaThePet

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Joined: 2/4/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: sambamanslilgirl

*dons her flame-resistant suit before replying*

i'm a single working mom of 2 UMs - one who's TBI (traumatic brain injured) receiving SSI and we're on food stamps. i won't say how much we receive and NO, i'm not abusing the system before you make that assumption. however for a big city like Chicago, they go by your rent, income, SSI and other financial income, utilities, etc that's how your food stamp amount is determined. yes, there's a way to eat healthy on the food stamp program yet i don't think eating cheese sandwiches and stir fry veggies (which i do get) constantly would be considered a healthy diet for mine.

Take off the suit luv, no need for it here, summer's enough heat for me.

Not sure if your reply was meant for me, or if you just clicked mine to
advance. As i said, among other opinions which are valid, is that said
programs are in place to help those whom are in genuine need of help.
i am guardian and caregiver to my younger disabled brother whom
receives SSI "benefits" also. i would hate to think what his life would
be if he had to exist alone in this world on the shameful sharing which
is so "generously" bestowed upon him. Perhaps if we could weed out
those whom "are" simply abusing the system, there could be just a tad
bit more available for those in genuine need. Hugs for your strength.

chia* (the pet)

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Post #: 12

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 10:03:59 AM

MsSonnetMarwood

Posts: 1898
Joined: 2/10/2005
From: Eastern Shore, Maryland
Status: offline

Fresh fruits and veggies are particularly expensive, even if you buy in-season.

But again....food stamps for the most part are supposed to be a temporary help to supplement income, not a way of life.

< Message edited by MsSonnetMarwood -- 6/5/2007 10:05:58 AM >

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Post #: 13

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 10:04:40 AM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
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i must have pressed a wrong button. my stamps were $10 a month.

this thread reaks of classism.

no matter how secure YOU think you are a bus can run you over this hour.

ild like a nice tasty CEO burger- w all the trimmings----------- [hicCup]

(in reply to NakedOnMyChain)

Post #: 14

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 10:11:02 AM

mistoferin

Posts: 8284
Joined: 10/27/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: MsSonnetMarwood
But again....food stamps for the most part are supposed to be a temporary help to supplement income, not a way of life.

Yes, this is true....but, one should also note that any income one has reduces the food stamp benefit accordingly...thus creating a catch 22 and certainly a lack of incentive. I am not sure how it works elsewhere but I do know that here a woman with one child who is employed full time at the minimum wage is not eligible for food stamp benefits. I am unsure where the cut off point is for part time workers but even at full time, minimum wage would be very difficult to raise a child on.

_____________________________

Peace and light,
~erin~

There are no victims here...only volunteers.

When you make a habit of playing on the tracks, you thereby forfeit the right to bitch when you get hit by a train.

"I did it! I admit it and I'm gonna do it again!"

(in reply to MsSonnetMarwood)

Post #: 15

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 10:17:24 AM

BOUNTYHUNTER

Posts: 9259
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Certainly not enought to survive,elderly ones choosing between eating and paying the rent,many are living on dog cans.21 dollars a week won't even buy my M dew...bounty

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Post #: 16

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 10:18:13 AM

MsSonnetMarwood

Posts: 1898
Joined: 2/10/2005
From: Eastern Shore, Maryland
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: mistoferin

quote:

ORIGINAL: MsSonnetMarwood
But again....food stamps for the most part are supposed to be a temporary help to supplement income, not a way of life.

Yes, this is true....but, one should also note that any income one has reduces the food stamp benefit accordingly...thus creating a catch 22 and certainly a lack of incentive. I am not sure how it works elsewhere but I do know that here a woman with one child who is employed full time at the minimum wage is not eligible for food stamp benefits. I am unsure where the cut off point is for part time workers but even at full time, minimum wage would be very difficult to raise a child on.

I can't see how a single adult can live on minimum wage, let alone support a child.

But in time, doesn't the person acquire job skills and earn more than minimum wage? I'm also sure that programs vary by area, but I know that many community colleges also offer job training courses that can be taken for free if you take the time to fill out the paperwork.

_____________________________

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Deja Moo: The feeling you've heard this bull somewhere before.

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Post #: 17

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 10:20:19 AM

puella

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Wow, I am always so surprised by how many people lack compassion, especially when it really in the end will not cost them anything.

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Post #: 18

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 10:22:16 AM

domiguy

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Puella you are an angel.....How about a tit shot?

Where have you been lately?

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Post #: 19

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/5/2007 10:22:24 AM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline

the OP presumes the user has proper housing and kitchen facilities. i have no stove- and a cube icebox.

now-Sir, I dont want to sound mean to you=- on your stock holdings. when a stock goes down you have toilet paper- i have some here. possibly u will do well in your stock. BUT i doubt you are a big fish- the big fish make cash off the small fish.

the OP topics logic- would exeplify the good health of katrinaland. ha!

try standing in a food line- and have your aunt "see you"- it is so very embarrassing.

food bank you say- well thats where folks donate cans that have expired- as long as 10- years back- hence throwing the disposal cost onto the nonprofit.

the little bit of stock you have is nothing. you are better off with junksilver IMO.

we did welfare reform. believe you me- the counties are up in arms over taxes. they cut the budget to the bone.

while you may see someone buy an extravagant item with food stamps- YOU DONT KNOW IF THEY JUST CAME FROM CHEMO.

Mr OP, I find you brain to be stimulating.

and I find this thread as a peice of classism.

-regards

(in reply to mistoferin)

Post #: 20

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