Your article seems rather lacking and judgemental. Italicizing "paid for with your taxdollars.." is supposed to do what? I recieve food stamps and I pay taxes out of my paycheck every week just like anyone else. I'm going to school fulltime trying to pay bills and rent as well, I can not afford money aside for groceries as much as I'd like to and taking on another job will not help my school work, that's just the reality. It's stupid to think someone can live off a ramen cup once or twice a day just because you've met someone who did. It is not substaining enough with all the nutrients your body needs your body will start giving out on you after a while especially if you have an extremely high metabolism like I have. When you pass out at work enough times and get fired then what? When you collapse over your tests and exams from the lack of nutrition and fail classes then what? Loosing your job or failing out of school because you don't eat properly achieves what now, isn't that just landing right back at square one if not worse?

I have every right to eat sea food or a packaged pizza if I choose. Since when did certain types of food get reserved for those who are poor or not poor? I've never seen a sign in Kroger that designates the scallops for those making $60,000+ a year. 

Get over youself and look at the real problem tell your stupid congress to get rid of the programs like these, lower the taxes, and food prices and no one would need the food stamp program because they'd have the money in their check right? If you were taking home say $40-$60, possibly more, a month would you not be able to set aside more for groceries I definately would! So if I would would'nt the others who you are judging for no reason be able to as well? You don't know if that woman in that line in front of you with that card was raped when she was 15 and decided to respect human life instead of running to the nearest abortion line. Don't judge others until you know what the fuck you're talking about and walk a mile in their shoes before you start calling them names and condeming them!

Add some modern looking accessories such as a leopard calf hair jacket, a fedora or even a stylish coat and you're ready to steal the spotlight.

I think you got it all twisted, when the government is giving out money to the general public you take it. You see there is one thing that you are missing, the government takes way too much money from you as it is! At least some of it is going back into circulation, before tax eats it all up. think about it, how long does it take before taxes eat up a 100 hundred dollor bill, id say 100 transactions at any given time! It all goes back to big brother in the end!

good fotos,good writer,good article.I just like it very much.

Perfekter Ablauf!!! Besser kanns nicht laufen!!! 100Punkte!!! DANKE|easy-friedmann

SUPER fast shipping and wunderful item, thanks a lot!|dejla-1984
 

Thanks for the great work! Cool blog. There are a number of opinions on this topic and this blog states the problem extremely great. I will bookmark and spread the word around for you.

This is a great article. I think it is important to know how many calories in each meal you eat throughout the day. That way you will be able to monitor your low calorie diet. Along with a lot of daily exercise I am sure you will see fantastic results rather quickly. I found this site that allows you to track your calories for free and also gives you many other cool ideas for your weight loss journey. I hope this helps you along the way. www.fitclick.com/howmanycalori...

This article and some of the comments are so hateful and appalling. I'm a full-time student attempting to pay my OWN rent and my OWN bills off of savings and three part-time jobs. Yeah, full time school and THREE part time jobs. I finally sucked it up and got food stamps. Otherwise, I wouldn't be eating this month. I am aware abuse happens, but you cannot assume that all students/interns have the support of their parents-- especially in this economy. I certainly don't, and guess what? It's fucking hard.

And what katt42 said is exactly right--the "hipsers" who are supposedly abusing their benefits still only get a certain amount in food stamps per month, so if they want to blow it on expensive or seemingly unneccessary items, then fine. It's not like they are going to get more money when their monthly allowance runs out.

I'd also like to point out that while it's a nice thought to say that everyone should use their EBT cards to buy only fresh and unprepared foods, the program is created so that it can include homeless people-- i.e., people without a means to cook food and who really can only eat pre-packaged crap. Also, if you're a mother of 4 trying to work, why WOULDN'T you get the already prepared stuff? This is why the government can only create so many restrictions on what can and cannot be purchased with food stamps-- everyone has different needs. People have always complained about this, but now it's going the other way around: the problem used to be parents buying their kids unhealthy foods with food stamps, and now young people are buying food that's TOO healthy? Ridiculous.

I also see NOTHING wrong with using my food stamps at Trader Joe's considering it's way cheaper than my regular supermarket. And yes, I want access to healthier, wholesome foods. I don't buy lobster, no, but I will not limit myself to ramen just because it's a rite of passage for college students. I work, I pay taxes, and I will use my benefits as I see fit, thank you very much. Stop being so judgemental and realize that everyone is suffering in this economy.

One more thing-- in order to receive food stamps as a student, you have to work at least 20 hours per week, proven with pay stubs.

As for the food that people buy with their food stamps, it is up to them if they want to waste their allotted amount of benefits on "higher quality" foods. When the benefits run out for the month, they are screwed.

I just received my food stamp (EBT) card today. I should have applied for benefits over a year ago, but didn't want to. I thought I could make it on my own. I was in the AmeriCorps program for 12 months and did not take advantage of food stamps then, because I could scrape by. I've learned how to coupon, I stopped eating out (unless someone else was paying), we saved our pennies to buy a freezer so we could stock up when sales come around. Now that I am out of the AmeriCorps (which only pays subsistence), I thought I would be a shoe in for a job. I sure was mistaken. I've been unemployed for 3 months, my husband's job cut back so far that at one point we were lucky if he worked 15 hours a week.

I have sold anything and everything of value to try to make rent and pay other bills. I keep asking myself how did this happen to me? I'm 30 years old, have a college education and come from a solid middle class background. My family are engineers, finance people, house wives. What happened to me?

Please try not to judge every person you see who is receiving food stamps. I will continue to only shop sales and use coupons on everything, as we only get $244 a month to buy groceries for two adults. In this economy every person is finding themselves in situations they never expected to be in.

It is devastating to feel so hopeless that you can't even afford to buy food or keep a roof over your head when you have done everything in your power to make life better.

not sure why we are even commenting on this. did these people pay taxes? how do you like to be in line when a woman with baby in the belly dressed better than you, with the daddy by the door and a flock of other kids, is paying with EBT and WIC? I do not. That is a problem we should be angry about and protest.

What does that have to do with this ? What a Pregnant woman can't receive food stamp benefits ? And it's WIC that takes forever to process, Not EBT . That's why they basically have lines for WIC and EBT . Why don't you just state what you really wanted to . That being that you have a problem with people (Or Certain People) on welfare ! Why not just admit you think they should be limited in what they can purchase with those benefits and dress appropriate of there situation . ( That being a Poor Welfare Recipient wearing "Hand-me-downs" !)Why not just admit you think that because you might be working supporting yourself or living off your saving that you and those like you should be the only ones able to purchase various food items because your better then the poor welfare recipient ! Climb down off your high horse and return to reality shithead .

I work at a grocery store. We can't have lines for WIC and EBT. It's plainly stated in store policy. I see abuse of WIC and foodstamps everyday. In this economy I have seen some of our previously cash paying customers now on foodstamps. Most are mortified. They are however a minority. The majority are chronic users. I have gotten to know many of these people. Many have talked about how they are scamming the system. Boyfriend not "technically" living in household. He has a good job but "if I can get foodstamps- why not". Many are healthy young woman who are just having children because, as I was told by one young woman, "I wouldn't have gotten pregnant again if it wasn't for WIC, but I love babies". I think that the food stamp program does need an over haul. It should only allow certain healthy non-prepared foods. I see people buying shrimp, lobster, steamed crab, and other expensive items on a regular basis.

hmmm, and you know all this personal info how?

ESP? and welcome.

See comments from stupid people like this is the reason why "Certain" People in positions of authority try doing away with these public programs . Food stamp benefits are for those lacking the ability for support themselves temporarily . Meaning your unable to find a life sustaining source of employment and need help to get by. Not what this asshole is doing with his benefits ! To brag about refusing to eat ramen soups, then state that you have rabbit for dinner is stupid ! It makes it retarded to state the above in public .

Who makes roasted rabbit? That sounds made up. "What's something a corrupt King in a Bugs Bunny would eat! Hossenfeffer!"

"Every day the same thing: variety. I want hossenfeffer!"

We really shouldn't make a big deal about Interns getting Food Stamps. We should focus on able bodied male New Yorkers living in Housing, driving Lincoln Navigators, selling crack and dope. They're the one's scamming the system.

I will continue to only shop sales and use coupons on everything, as we only get $244 a month to buy groceries for two adults. In this economy every person is finding themselves in situations they never expected to be in.

Can we get a racial breakdown of recipients???