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RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/6/2007 11:46:57 AM

pahunkboy

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: philosophy

quote:

ORIGINAL: GoddessDustyGold

I have one small bottle that lasts Me for a year in My fridge (which I am also grateful to have!).

.......something of a hijack, but i'm getting the impression that there is a significent number of people in the US that can't afford a fridge. Is this a fair deduction?

I abandoned a full size fridge and a 36 inch fridge when I moved from rental to owning.

1. I dont own a pick up truck or SUV to haul it. 2. both models were inefficient.

Once I get settlled I will buy a scratch and dent model- where they will deliver.
For many years- I bought 2nd hand aplliances- the amount of energy they use can be astronoimcal. The motor burns out then one is stuck with disposal and hauling fees.

"stuff" is abundunt in the US. Hauling it- and or finding a person willing to risk their back is a task.

I plan to buy a midsized energy efficient scratch and dent model. [When I get to it]

"stuff" "junk" is so everywhere in the US.... thrift stores will refuse donations- as some see fit to dump rubbish there. It cost $3.50 a bag of garbage to dispose of garbage here- and you must "subscribe" to a garbage service.
People have been fined by the law for leaving "rubbish/junk/stuff" at those drop off donation boxes. Secret cameras .....

Garbage disposal fees would be cheap- except that New York and New Jersey ran out of landfill space and send thier garbage to Pennsylvania. Urban areas almost have no choice but to have cheap garbage disposal rates- as rats bring disease-

add to this- built in obsolescense- cheap crap made and sold in "outsourced" countries. everything is throw away.

consider this- this US is important so much "stuff" 10 major ports will be needed over the next 10 years.

Why ?

Gluttony run a muck. the consumption model of living.

The situation is pitiiful.

In some areas- you are worth as a human what materials you own. if you are a "have" you are cool. if you are a "have not" you are to be avoided.

(in reply to philosophy)

Post #: 81

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/6/2007 11:58:23 AM

LafayetteLady

Posts: 7683
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Northern New Jersey
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: MsSonnetMarwood

A couple things you're incorrect about:

- employers are not required to give employees benefits if they work full time. Many do not. Laws may vary from state to state, but I do know that New Jersey (nor PA or MD) doesn't require benefits for full time workers.

- scholarships and grants CAN cover books, gas to commute to school and back, and other expenses up to and including living stipends (although not enough to live on without also working at least part time). It depends on the specific terms of what the specific scholarship will cover - and students can apply and get multiple scholarships

If you took it to mean I was implying that employers are REQUIRED to provide benefits, I'm sorry. That was not my intent. However, the two particular companies I mentioned have a policy where they DO provide benefits to full time employees, but hire as few as possible in order to not have to provide them. While it is not required to provide benefits, if an employer has a benefit program in place, those benefits are required to be made available to employees under certain guidelines, such as all full time employees are entitled to benefits.

Yes, many scholarships and grants can be used for any incidental expenses above and beyond tuition if the recipient has funds left after paying tuition. However, some scholarships and grants are designated only for tuition. The problem arises in someone being made aware and finding enough grants and scholarships to cover those things.

The BIGGEST problem I found while living on assistance was not being able to get information that I needed to help me. It is difficult for many people to have to ask for help, but when you are asking for simple information about where to go to get the various help you need and people respond with "not my job" your level of frustration goes through the roof quickly. I went to a local homeless event (where products and services were being made available for those who needed them) and was amazed at the ignorance of some of the groups that were there. I spent a great deal of time with several of the "vendors" letting them know what some of the most important things were that I knew people needed. Not one of them had toilet paper, a big need, shampoo was another thing that was in short supply. Feminine hygeine products! One vendor had sample packs of tampons, and was handing them out to women one or two at a time. I certainly don't want to gross people out, but I don't know many women who could get through an entire people on two or three tampons. Those products are very expensive. I am proud to say that several of these "vendors" vowed to try to get more of the things that people would need after I spoke with them. They had no idea that something other than food and warm clothing would be helpful and that is sad.

Another thing is that the system is very unequal where men and women are concerned. More training services are available for women, in fact men really don't get any free training at all. The logic seems to be that women have been raising children and now need the education to get on their feet. To a great extent this is certainly true. But what most people need is help navigating their way through the system and finding what they need. While I was attending the various required programs, I spent a great deal of time directing people on finding what they needed. For those who wanted an education, I told them about various scholarship sites that could be helpful, for those who were finally getting out of the shelter and finding their own place, I was able to hook them up with a church that provided donated furniture. A man who lived in the boarding house I was in had never had a checking account in his whole life. He had always had savings accounts and had no clue that when the bank told him his balance, that outstanding checks could effect the reality of that balance. Consequently, he overdrew his account. When he tried to go to the bank to straighten things out, the bank was beyond not helpful, wanting to charge him a daily fee until his account was in balance again. This man lacked any education, had just started collecting his social security (he was 63), and that late charge was going to completely wipe him out of his 500 some odd dollars of social security. I went back to the bank with him and spoke with the manager, just hoping to do something about the late fees, and managed to get the bank to void ALL the charges after I explained that he didn't understand. It took 30 minutes of my time and he was unbelievably grateful. Too often, people don't want to take the time to do something that simple.

Did the women I directed to scholarship sites actually utilize the information? I don't know, but at least they now had the tools they needed if they chose to do it. Does the man with the bank account now understand how it works? I'm sure that he does. The whole "not getting involved" mentality of people is a bigger part of the problem. Not everyone wants to get off assistance, that is true. But when the sysem makes it difficult to get the information you NEED to do so, it certainly doesn't help.

(in reply to MsSonnetMarwood)

Post #: 82

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/6/2007 1:14:39 PM

GoddessDustyGold

Posts: 2822
Joined: 4/11/2004
From: Arizona
Status: offline

You are so right about all these things. Sometimes wading through a system of uncaring bureaucracy is more than many people can handle and they just give up. Ya did good!
I remember when a lot of the Katrina folks started to head toward Phoenix. We knew they were coming and everyone was scrambling for the canned goods and used clothing. I got body wash, deodorant, tp, sanitary goods, brushes, shampoo, conditioner, disposable razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste and flip flops for use in the public showers. We even threw in lipsticks for the ladies and coloring books, regular books, decks of cards and a few games for kids! (Ah, yes, the dollar store can be your friend!) We knew there was going to be lots of food and clothing, but figured most people were not going to be thinking about the definite need for brushing teeth, washing hair or reading a bedtime story.

_____________________________

Dusty
They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety
B Franklin
Don't blame Me ~ I didn't vote for either of them
The Hidden Kingdom

(in reply to LafayetteLady)

Post #: 83

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/6/2007 3:34:32 PM

Griswold

Posts: 2739
Joined: 2/12/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

This is also a General Reply

First of all, the average SINGLE food stamp recipient in NOT receiving $94 a week. Food Stamps is a Federal Program, so one county will not be "cheaper" than another county is what they will provide.

In December of last year, the timing belt went on my car. For those who don't understand the impact - it would cost more to fix the car than the car was worth. I was able to get rides to work for a while, but when that became a problem, I lost my job. So now I am living in an area where the nearest bus stop is more than 5 miles away with no transportation.

Consequently I became homeless in January. Literally. Social Services "placed" me in a boarding house that was, luckily, in "town". I had a roof over my head, but it was against the rules to have any type of cooking appliances in the room. The boarding house (which ironically was over a restaurant) did not have ANY kitchen facilities at all.

I received $154 a month in food stamp benefits, and $140 in "general assistance". From the general assistance $75 a month was taken to put towards the room in the boarding house. Toilet paper, shampoo, femine hygeine product, tooth paste, etc. are NOT able to be purchased using food stamps.

I managed to get Social Services to help me get into an apartment, my cousin gave me a car. I live in an area where if you don't drive, you are not going to be able to work. I was not trying to live off the system, although I saw many in the boarding house who obviously were. It was extremely difficult to convince them to help me get my own place, but I managed to do it. I have a very small one bedroom apartment that costs $750 a month, which is dirt cheap for the area in which I live, but is also 20 minutes from the nearest grocery store. I am getting back on my feet now after the most dehumanizing, humiliating experience of my life. The majority of people who are collecting who do not have children living with them are not looking to sit home all day "living off the system". If one can live extravagantly on the amounts I listed, it would be a miracle.

SSI is not reduced by child support. Child support is reduced by SSI. SSI DOES take into consideration the income of the parents in conjunction with the disability of the child. The co-worker is bilking the system and I sincerely hope that she gets caught. It is a felony offense and could result in imprisonment, but always results in repaying the funds.

Is it possible to food shop on $21 a week? Depends on where you live. Northern NJ does not have a whole lot of discount grocery stores. One can only buy in bulk if they have the space to store it.

I have a college education and used to work as a professional wearing a suit to work everyday, and having a job where the work I did and the decisions I made could "make or break" the lives of others. Now I wait tables. The work and other personal tragedies in my life have caused me to suffer from generalized anxiety disorder - translation, I get panic attacks. I have had the disorder since I was in my mid 20s (coincidentally started when I met my ex husband, hmmm), but they were under control for 15 years. Now they aren't under control. Waiting tables, for me, is a no stress kind of job, yet affords me the ability to keep a roof over my head. Just barely, but I manage. I save on food by working a lot. One of the few perks of the job is free food. So what I keep at home is typically convenience food. I bought a week's worth of groceries for 10 bucks. Frozen pizza (less than a dollar each) and some mac and cheese.

Ok, so I am rambling. Lack of sleep will do that to you. The point is yes, one can survive food wise on $21 a week, no it isn't easy. The attitude of saying just go to work doesn't really fly. Too many employers don't pay their employees a living wage. Move up the corporate ladder at Walmart or the local supermarket? They won't even hire someone full time, because then they would have to pay benefits. I am lucky in that I do have skills. I do, on occasion take on freelance work from my previous career. Most people collecting welfare have no education. The existing programs to teach them skills are less than adequate and really don't qualify as a stepping stone. Go back to school? If the system has decided that you need to work, they will stop your benefits if you decide to go to school. Financial Aid and Grants pay the tuition, not for books. Sitting up on the mighty throne and saying that it is not that difficult should try it. A woman named Barbara Ehrenreich did and wrote a book "Nickel and Dimed: On (not) getting buy in America". The guy who used to do the FX show "Thirty Days" tried it too (forget his name at the moment). They started with the same idea as you "soapbox sitters". Then they got a rude awakening.

Having read Lafayettelady's prose, I can only apologize. Having found a rather massive supply of tremendously enjoyable plume while moving things during a remodel...and having indulged in same just prior to my more than indulgent copy...I can say that, again, having read her sonnet...it's pretty obvious that a) my writings were those of a deranged asshole...and b) not all is at it appears to be.

I believe you can live on less. I've done it.

My comments were originally to support the OP...having read what I wrote, I'm not entirely convinced I succeeded. Nevertheless...

I actually don't know if you can do $21.00 a week today...us 48 year olds are starting to remember shit based on 15 years ago (sue me!!!...gawdammit...some parts of this growing old shit totally fucking sucks!!!!), whether for a single person or a group of more. RealOne...(as much as I hate to admit it) was correct in his assumptions (but that doesn't excuse those that could...but choose not to)....however, I will say this....

I've done it for less (than most would believe possible)...as a single person, as well as...as a couple...and we never starved, in fact, we ate quite well. We even ate out. It was those decisions that allowed me to find other ways to do things (all things) for less, and by virtue, fear less, my economic future. Admitedly, I was much younger then, and we didn't have HDTV's, computers, cell phones, etc., staring us in the face either...

But my grandparents didn't have black and white TV's, houses that cost more than $3,600.00, or cars that didn't have FM radios either.

Things change....I'm in the middle of this current transformation...but your time (if you're younger) is coming too.

Many would believe that living on this ($21.00 a week) income level would define you as wanting. Nothing could be further from the truth. (But it ain't gonna be easy).

Amy Dacyczyn, the originator of "The Tightwad Gazette"....a subscription I paid 12 bucks a year for when I was broke in the early 90's, for 3 years running...12 monthly issues (now, I'd presume, in paperback....no I don't get any money for this, she hasn't published for years) http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC26/Dacyczyn.htm

This woman raised 4 or 5 kids on damn near nothing (don't quote me on the particulars because I'll probably get them wrong...but for the following...assume my numbers have some relational value), her husband was some kind of carpenter extraordinaire, and she could make jam like nobodies business...(along with sew clothes, get appliances damn near, or in fact.....for free....she could turn a T-Shirt into a Vera Wang wedding dress that Entertainment Tonight would cover....and it goes on....).

And on something quite akin to whispers or fumes...they bought a house for next to nothing....fixed it up with shit they got for free....mowed the lawn, made sandwiches, opened windows when it was hot....put plastic on them when it was cold..and largely made every penny they found jump to attention and scream "HOLY MOTHER of Fucking GOD!!!!!" every time they considered (and very likely debated for days) spending that very penny.

It can be done. (That's actually what I meant to say before I decided to go entirely insane).

You can have (much) more if you consider the above.

As per LafayetteLady whom I'm responding to...whom I am more than thankful for writing as she did...without address to "assholes" (thankfully), she's correct.

I learned (a lot from) your post. I'd like to say it was humility...but that would probably be a stretch...nevertheless, it's absolute...

(I'm a little bit less of an asshole tonight because of you....I hope).

(Thanks).

< Message edited by Griswold -- 6/6/2007 3:43:44 PM >

(in reply to LafayetteLady)

Post #: 84

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/6/2007 3:53:14 PM

LadyPaige

Posts: 187
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline

I was giving my college attending kids $200 a month each for food until I realized they were living on Ramon noodles and using the extra to take their g/fs out. They were probably eating less than $21 a week in food if they didn't take the g/f to dinner.

(in reply to b12345)

Post #: 85

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/6/2007 3:56:16 PM

thornhappy

Posts: 8596
Joined: 12/16/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: gooddogbenji

Okay. Ummmmmm.....

Yes, I'm a classist asshole. Just to get that out.

I once read a great article by a food reviewer who lived for a month on the food stamp diet. He spent $2.43 per day on food, and, using the guide distributed by the government, planned his meals out as they say they should. (This was in the 90's, so the monetary value may be higher today)

The food was not extravagent, he reused broccoli stems and other things we throw out, but it was healthy, varied, and efficient.

Ironically, despite being able to afford good food, many of the tricks he used I have been using for years.

Plan ahead, re-use food, make it from scratch, and buy good deals, and you can make it on almost nothing. Choose to eat strawberries in October, and you can't.

Yours,

benji

Something pointed out by Barbara Ehrenreich was that all these assumptions about food stamps and minimum wage budgets assume you are able to drive all over to get the best deals. Same for the food banks (which don't keep really extended hours). And have the ability to cook ahead, in large quantitie, and store the food you just made.

Getting job training can be the same: you need good transportation. And time. Without a set of fairly good wheels (had some lemons but at least I could pay for repairs) I wouldn't have been able to work at higher-paying jobs and go to school at night.

thornhappy

(in reply to gooddogbenji)

Post #: 86

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/6/2007 11:20:33 PM

whitesilkkajira

Posts: 12
Joined: 5/8/2007
Status: offline

i have a whole foods market near me and they run programs like moo monday 3- 1/2 gallons of organic milk for $5, Wednesdays it is ground beef for 99 cents a pound. and at check out they gave me a coupon for $5 off my next $25 purchase. if you shop the specials, clip store and manufacture coupons, buy bulk or store brands. it is very easy to get your basics for $21 a week. Also if you have a farmers market that is the best place to pick up fresh veggies on the cheep. If after that you need more check out the local food pantry, salvation army and churches. One church around here will give you a weeks groceries if you just attend a 1 hour church service. it's usually can goods and stuff but hey every bit helps sometimes. keep your chin up, it can be done.

(in reply to selfbnd411)

Post #: 87

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 12:33:10 AM

Sinergy

Posts: 9383
Joined: 4/26/2004
Status: offline

Im still trying to figure out why anybody would keep olive oil in their refrigerator?

Sinergy

_____________________________

"There is a fine line between clever and stupid"
David St. Hubbins "This Is Spinal Tap"

"Every so often you let a word or phrase out and you want to catch it and bring it back. You cant do that, it is gone, gone forever." J. Danforth Quayle

(in reply to philosophy)

Post #: 88

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 6:18:24 AM

pahunkboy

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sinergy

Im still trying to figure out why anybody would keep olive oil in their refrigerator?

Sinergy

Ok- just for general information: I am retirred on fixed income. I am tightwad of the century on some items- but that leaves room to spurge on other things- I have no kids-child support, never bought a new car- so no car payment. If I really wanted to- i could pay my house off. but ild rather have the emegery cash 5.5%n fixes 30 yrs. I dont earn enuff toe worry about income tax.

I have walnut oil and sesami seed oil. i put poppy seeds on everything. we have bulk stores where you can buy bulk -but for one or 2 people.

I am a firm beleiver to support the local farmer. His stand will be open soon. He will tell me what is very fresh. Im a regular- he will throw in samples and extras.[try to get that at the chain stores] if he spots a blemish tomoto he replaces it with 2 nice ones- w/o me pointing it out. So he won my business.

I am not looking for pity for myself. I will get amply kitchen stuff in due time. I just moved. Rented a small place to purchase of a huge place.

Famers are PAID not to grow certain crops- to keep the price stable.

I hate to waste food. Much food gets donated to m homless shelter- where it molds. a farmer picks it up and re-feeeds it to his livestock.

By and large canned goods are crap.

If you run a stove all day- the cost of soap to do dishes- hot water, aand time, can add up. Now if you have injuries as I do- I use alot of paper plates- as it will cost $200 to get running hot wateer to kitchen. I will get to it. We have alot of mickey mouse handyman that "SAY" they can repair- but actually make the place worse! So i am on list of a trustworthy guy and will wait my turn.

The middle disk in my back is shot. the motion of doing dishes can be hell. tho not every day

Again- no pity party. Just know- that you dont know the person in line with food stamps. Even if they buy an extravagant item- you have to walk a mile in their shoes to know.

PS- I worked since age 14. I paid into the system.

A huge % of Americans are just 2 paYchecks away from financial ruin.

Scarey.

(in reply to Sinergy)

Post #: 89

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 6:25:40 AM

petdave

Posts: 2479
Status: offline

quote:

working

quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania
I want you to calculate how a single parent receiving no support is supposed to afford beans and rice and rent and gas on minimum wage. Please tell me how they are supposed to afford to feed their kids.... I want you to understand that most people below the poverty line actually WORK. They are the working poor. Now those two words should be oxymorons in this country...working and poor should not go together, but all too often they do.

And that's actually the rub... surviving, even supporting a relative or a UM, can be done fairly cheaply IF you have time to scavenge, shop for bargains, and transport yourself via bicycle (one of the most powerful machines of the 19th century, and available for next to nothing at thrift stores). It's when you have to be at a particular place at a particular time each and every day, regardless of weather, dressed well and looking and smelling presentable, that the expenses snowball. My wife works for a division of a bank, and i'm astonished that their tellers can afford to meet the dress code that they set.

There are families in my area living on land that they've owned for generations, and i see them almost every day fishing or crabbing to put food on the table... it may be ten miles to the grocery store, but if your time is free, then that's two hours on a bicycle with a milk crate strapped to the back. Houses repaired with scavenged materials. The amount of waste in the U.S. is staggering, and if you have TIME, and aren't too proud to do it, there's a lot to take advantage of. Hell, i know an engineer who makes good money, lives in a house worth probably 400k, and he's got a 20x60 steel building stuffed with materials he's picked up off the side of the road or in dumpsters, to use for various projects... He tells me that if you really need a meal, go to the fast-food places around 2-3 PM, and feel around in the dumpster until you find a bag that's warm. But again, TIME...

...dave

(in reply to juliaoceania)

Post #: 90

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 7:06:01 AM

GoddessDustyGold

Posts: 2822
Joined: 4/11/2004
From: Arizona
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sinergy

Im still trying to figure out why anybody would keep olive oil in their refrigerator?

Sinergy

*Smile* I have a relative who owned a croissant bakery shop/restaurant in Oregon. She is an award winning chef and has a published cookbook and her food is fabulous, I might add. *W* Being aware that I live in Az, and the temp in the house is not always at an ideal level, since I do not use so much Olive Oil and it hangs around for quite a long time, she told Me to keep it in the fridge, and then run a little warm water over the outside of the bottle to get what I need, when I need it. It may not be completely necessary, but it has worked well for Me.

_____________________________

Dusty
They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety
B Franklin
Don't blame Me ~ I didn't vote for either of them
The Hidden Kingdom

(in reply to Sinergy)

Post #: 91

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 8:22:08 AM

juliaoceania

Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline

quote:

To offer up examples like steak and ice cream, and mention the olive oil you buy in bulk in your second post, just seems to Me to be a poor choice of examples. You act as if everyone can and should be entitled to shop this way, and kudos for buying your olive oil in bulk. I have one small bottle that lasts Me for a year in My fridge (which I am also grateful to have!). Everybody can't afford these things, even when they are not on food stamps. I am glad you can and feel it is necessary and you don't mind spending the money, but it sure can make others feel like they are less than less by comparison. But then I consider things like steak, ice cream and olive oil to be luxuries and not staple items.

Other oils are very unhealthy. Cheap food is filled with transfats. I decided I wanted to use olive oil to cook with and for salads because it will raise my good cholestrol, lower my bad, and will not clog my arteries. It is not a "luxury" to eat in a way that will save you on doctor's bills. Now you may "think" it should be, but I just do not agree with you on that one.

The poor are obese because they have to eat shit food to survive, not because they are investing too much in their food.

I rarely buy steak because it is a luxury item. I do not buy ice cream often (refer you to South Beach Diet thread). I prefaced my first post with the fact I buy expensive food, I do not eat on the cheap, I used to eat that way... but I was becoming a blimp too. I do not see it as a luxury to eat right, but I know it costs a lot. I know it also costs a lot not to eat right.... meaning natural foods, fresh foods. It costs a lot when people get sick and diseases from Franken Food with transfats in it. It is in things like crackers and cereals. In your breads too. If you cook with Crisco, you are eating them.

BTW, you do not need to refrigerate olive oil, it stores just fine in the cupboard.

quote:

This is also the reason I stated in another thread a couple of months ago that I will help someone in My own community before I will worry about spending extra dollars at a "Fair Trade" market to help a farmer in some distant country. I was told by another poster that this was a "lame" excuse.

I buy fair trade when I can, but then I do not value human being based upon their geographical locale. I think the farmer' children in Colombia are just as valuable as kids I have never met in Texas, but that is just how I feel.

quote:

Seems I can't win for losing here. I am bound to misinterpret your words and you are bound to misinterpret Mine.
I am sorry that I have never made clear to you that I am just as pissed about the Oil giveaways as most. But then you have already labled Me, therefore I am negated.
'Nuf said.

It is tiresome to read someone attacking every idea that I try to put out there in personal ways. For the most part, I avoid you because of this. I skip the posts that you write, so it is possible that you have railed against Big Oil without me seeing it, I tend to respond only when you quote me.... usually with little digs such as "You probably have me on block"... I have no one blocked. Like I have said before, if I am posting to you, it is in response to your quoting me... nuff said it right.

_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to GoddessDustyGold)

Post #: 92

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 12:51:28 PM

GoddessDustyGold

Posts: 2822
Joined: 4/11/2004
From: Arizona
Status: offline

I am also just as concerned for children everywhere, but I stand by the fact that I am not in an area where it is easy to buy fair trade without going long out of My way, and when I have extra I will always try to help someone in My own community. We have so much we need to do in our own country, that I prefer to place My extra spendables here. I really don't think that is "lame".
I am truly glad that you can afford to eat as healthily as possible and that you can afford your preferences. I know that olive oil is a healthy alternative to partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, but so, also is canola, peanut, soybean, safflower and cottonseed oils. They all lower LDL and raise HDL, and canola oil is also a monounsaturated fat, just as olive oil is. The only one that contains trans-fats is partially hydrogenated vegetable oil but it is also in the most common things many keep in the kitchen, such as vegetable shortening and margarines . No question that stuff is not good, and they are commonly sold items.
I am fortunate that I have low cholesterol, probably partially due to to genetics and partially due to a life-long dietary habit of little to no junk foods. Calories, of course, always must be watched, so only using less oil, or replacing other sources such as olives and avocodos, will help out with the pesky weight thing. Olive oil contains 120 calories per tablespoon. Even at that, we all need a certain amount of oil and fat in our diets, and olive oil, no doubt, is a good and healthy alternative.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/fats.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35189-2004Nov8.html

I am sure you already know all this, but it might be of some interest to others reading. Olive Oil tastes great and boosts the flavors of other foods, so it it sometimes tempting to use more of it than we should! One must weigh that agaist the other benefit of this oil also boosting the vitamin absorption of some foods.
I did answer the question of refrigerating olive oil in post #91. You must have missed it.
I really am not out to get you, julia. What you seem to take as an attack, I look toward as a means to expand and open a discussion to further information.
I am sincerely sorry that you feel this way.

Edited to add: The only reason I mentioned that you probably had Me on block is because you told Me I had "made your list" in another post. I did not know what that meant, but usually it means being put on ignore of some sort. It was not meant as a dig.
I don't block anyone, either. I try to keep the thought that there is always something new to learn or think about, even if I don't always agree.

< Message edited by GoddessDustyGold -- 6/7/2007 12:57:26 PM >

_____________________________

Dusty
They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety
B Franklin
Don't blame Me ~ I didn't vote for either of them
The Hidden Kingdom

(in reply to juliaoceania)

Post #: 93

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 3:54:17 PM

MzStormD

Posts: 43
Joined: 5/12/2007
From: Southern Illinois,USA
Status: offline

For those that find they need to make their $ stretch , heres a wonderful site . They serve 32 of the 50 states at this time and it only takes a moment to see if theres a place near you. They also take food stamps for the most part. The menus change from month to month. No one puts any one down for using their services, no forms to fill out, no specific criteria to meet. http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ For all those trying to make ends meet, God bless .

MzStormD

(in reply to GoddessDustyGold)

Post #: 94

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 5:21:04 PM

sophia37

Posts: 1433
Joined: 2/7/2006
Status: offline

to PA hunk Boy I got my fridge from my electric company. See if your's has grants available for that sort of thing.
Personally, I've been using the entitlement system for the last 26 years. Notice I use the word entitlement? People, Americans according to law, are entitled to a certain standard of living. So lets agree that if the funds are available, we should not shame people into thinking its wrong to "take advantage" of whats available. To take advantage is a good thing.

(in reply to Arpig)

Post #: 95

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 5:52:15 PM

thompsonx

Posts: 23322
Joined: 10/1/2006
Status: offline

<fast reply>
I was in the grocery store in Barstow the other day and the fellow in front of me ( a young healthy male who looked to be well fed and in good physical shape) was buying groceries. He paid for his groceries with food stamps and paid for his liquor with cash. The guy behind me made a disparaging remark about young healthy men being on welfare and buying booze. The young man turned to him and stepped past me to be face to face with the one being critical of him. "I am sorry that you have a problem with my situation but here is my problem. I make six hundred dollars a month. I am on call 24/7. I have seen my wife for a total of thirty days in the past two years. What I do for a living is kill people. I have two purple hearts and a silver star that wont buy a cup of coffee. I am a United States Marine and if you would like to discuss this in the parking lot I will be waiting next to that beat up old Toyota" (pointing to a car in the parking lot that had seen better days). With that he picked up his groceries and his booze and walked out of the store.
I decided to wait and see what happened.
After paying for his groceries the gentleman behind me spent the next thirty minutes reading the enquirer and waiting for the beat up old Toyota to leave the parking lot.
I found it interesting that he had the courage to castigate some one publicly but lacked the courage to apologize for having both feet in his mouth at the same time.
What many fail to realize is that food stamps are welfare for the rich. Food stamps are administered by the department of agriculture not the welfare department. The reason for this is because corporate farmers went to the whores in Washington and told them, we have the ability to grow more crops but no one to buy them so, if you will give us the tax payers money we will grow more food and make it look like a scam by the poverty stricken to suck off of the system.
The only food you can legally buy with food stamps is food produced in the United States for human consumption.
If food stamps were truly a welfare program for the poor then it would be administered by HEW and not the ag. department. If it were truly a welfare program for the poor then there would be no legal restrictions against buying non U.S. produced food stuffs.
I realize this is a bit more than .02 cents worth but then there is inflation.
thompson

(in reply to MzStormD)

Post #: 96

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 6:06:11 PM

maybemaybenot

Posts: 2817
Joined: 9/22/2005
Status: offline

For those needing to stretch their food stamps or their grocery budget:
I am a Methodist, I am sure there are other churches, but most Methodist churches have food pantries, where you can go and get dry and canned goods to stretch your budget. Up here in NE they are called a " working man's pantry ", but I know the name varies by region and church. Google the Methodist Church in your area to find the nearest one.

For those who have adequate monies for food, think about donating a few canned/dry goods a week to help the people the government isn't helping. It's pennies for those of us with enough to eat. And don't forget to throw in a jar or two of baby food/cereal for the wee ones.

Perhaps some of you out there know of other civic or religous groups who offer a similar place in your own community ?

mbmbn
PS: and for thoe of you thinking there may be a catch, because it is church run: Nooo, there is no sermon or conversion attempts in order to get food. Just a need.

_____________________________

Tolerance of evil is suicide.- NYC Firefighter

When tolerance is not reciprocated, tolerance becomes surrender.

(in reply to sophia37)

Post #: 97

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 7:27:39 PM

juliaoceania

Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline

quote:

What many fail to realize is that food stamps are welfare for the rich. Food stamps are administered by the department of agriculture not the welfare department. The reason for this is because corporate farmers went to the whores in Washington and told them, we have the ability to grow more crops but no one to buy them so, if you will give us the tax payers money we will grow more food and make it look like a scam by the poverty stricken to suck off of the system.

I made the point earlier that food stamps were a farm subsidy, but no one addressed it. Thanks for pointing this out in greater detail.

_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to thompsonx)

Post #: 98

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 7:33:38 PM

justheather

Posts: 1532
Joined: 10/4/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: thompsonx

The only food you can legally buy with food stamps is food produced in the United States...

Where did you get this information?
Food stamps can be used to purchase imported food as well as seeds to grow your own food according to this gov't resource:

http://www.officeonaging.ocgov.com/PDFs/FreeFood.pdf

Edited to add: I found a reference from 1964 that stated you could not purchase alcohol or imported foods with food stamps. Maybe that's where you read it? Seems to be some conflicting info out there.

< Message edited by justheather -- 6/7/2007 7:40:24 PM >

_____________________________

I want the scissors to be sharp
And the table perfectly level
When you cut me out of my life
And paste me in that book you always carry.
-Billy Collins

(in reply to thompsonx)

Post #: 99

RE: Food Stamp Challenge--$21 a week - 6/7/2007 7:36:43 PM

VeryMercurial

Posts: 620
Joined: 6/5/2006
Status: offline

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.

I am wondering sambamanslilgirl, is there any way you can get a better paying job and make more money?
You mention that you are a concert reviewer, it apparently does not pay well.
Why not attempt to get a better paying job, so that you can support your family?

(in reply to sambamanslilgirl)

Post #: 100

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