what do you think about the reduction in the snap progam/food stamps

[adg35]

Something worth a read on the topic.

Crisis Accelerates: Food Banks Running Out of Food

Food pantry organizers “unable to plug the hole”

Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
November 4, 2013

The head of the Pennsylvania’s largest food bank has warned that demand for groceries following a $5 billion dollar cut in the food stamp program cannot be met.

Joe Arthur of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank “says the donor network for the food banks is already stretched too thin to quickly expand,” according to an Associated Press report.

From November 1st, $5 billion was wiped off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a result of a planned stimulus withdrawal. Almost 50 million Americans who are supported by the program face an average loss of $36 dollars a month, which is a significant amount for those living near the poverty line.

Food pantry organizers will be “unable to plug the hole being left by a reduction in federal funding for food stamps,” which will leave families of four in Pennsylvania facing the prospect of 20 fewer meals per month, according to Arthur.

The Association of Arizona Food Banks sounds a similar warning, noting that the 5 per cent cut, although appearing minor on the surface, equates to about half a week’s budget for someone whose primary source of food is SNAP.

Spokesman Brian Simpson illustrated how the massive surge in demand for food was linked to the struggling economy.

Before the 2007 recession, the five food banks in his association were handing out an average of 69,000 emergency food boxes per month. Last month, 108,300 boxes were handed out, an increase of around 80 per cent.

The true impact of the cut will really be felt in the final week of November, when food stamp recipients will begin to run out of benefits.

According to Margaret Purvis, the CEO of the largest food bank in America, members of her Food Bank for New York City organization, are“panicking” over the decrease in benefits, fearing a rush of hungry Americans.

“We’re telling everyone to make sure that you are prepared for longer lines,” Purvis told NBC News.

Her comments were echoed by Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center, who stated, “It’s going to send people into a charitable system that’s already overwhelmed and screaming for help itself.”

Purvis also invoked the threat of riots caused by millions of Americans going hungry when she told Salon.com, “If you look across the world, riots always begin typically the same way: when people cannot afford to eat food.”

This has prompted some to speculate that the Department of Homeland Security is gearing up for potential unrest with its recent hiring of security guards to protect government buildings in New York, as well as the purchase of half a million dollars worth of fully automatic pepper spray launchers and projectiles that are designed to be used during riot control situations.

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*********************

Paul Joseph Watson is the editor and writer for Infowars.com and Prison Planet.com. He is the author of Order Out Of Chaos. Watson is also a host for Infowars Nightly News.

[sherri89101]

I eat oatmeal only for dinner. Cup of Noodles for breakfast. Fruit pears in light syrup for breakfast. Sometimes meat if I find it 50% off. I do check expiration dates. I could use the full amount I used to get! Thought Obamacare was messed up only. Didn't think the US gov't could mess up more!     

[o2bnocn]

I agree with most people. There are a lot of people that abuse it. I have a friend though that has been out of work for a long time, and was laid off from her last job. She has been looking for months for different types of work and she gets food stamps but they lowered the amount. I tried to get it only for a couple of months, just to help me out until I find a job, or at least get on my feet and I didn't qualify. So I buy my own food, that's fine...I'm not mad but then I hear about people who don't work and abuse the system. 

[Beckys0528]

I think it is really messed up for the people who really need it, I was getting $35 a month and it went down to $20 what are they thinking I really couldn't get much with $35 now it's $20 but I do have a family member that helps me Thank Goodness 

[Tresbn00]

I think that there were a lot of people abusing the program(s) and they ruined it for the people that truly needed it.  A few years ago I was alking into a grocery store and a gentleman asked me if I wanted to buy his food stamps for half price. Did a great job of selling me on the benefits of being able to buy twice as much merchandise.  I was intrigued and he said that he had bought extra from people within the neighbor hood at an even lower price so he was able to make a bigger profit.  This person indicated that he could use the cash for cigarettes and alcohol-something the food stamps weren't able to be used for. He also cursed the system for this reason! Pretty sad. I have also heard about people, in 15 states, complaining about having to take drug tests prior to getting public assistance. What?!? I have to take a drug test to get a job so that I can pay my way and there are people that be little the system because they have to take a drug test to get free aid?  Seems a little off balance to me.

[alaskakaren]

it was a small decrease in funds....budget, budget, budget.

[caleshire]

I wish only the one who needs it  will get it the rest should work and just don't take advantage of it.

[premar16]

As a disabled person who uses foodstamps in order to eat because I dont make enough to afford food I am not thrilled. I am have worked my *bleep* all my life.But that doesnt mean people want to hire me and so there are times were it gets  a little tough. especially now that I am trying to go back to school to make things better

[mawhite63]

@premar16, @Beckys0528  and everyone else in this thread who have experienced benefit cuts, I am so sorry for what you're going through. I have no idea how you keep your spirits up in the face of all the hardships you had to go through to need benefits, plus all the enduring hardships. You're all in my thoughts.

 

[lgemini]

It would be better to have people work for their food stamps.

[hvnlydevil]

It''s not actually a cut in the food stamps, it is that a program passed in 2009 has reached it's end. It does stink that many who need it have seen their benefits drop and some stop, but maybe those who utilize it will shop a little smarter with coupons and deals.Last week I was able to score 12 boxes of cereal and 2 gallons of mile for a total of $8.50. It just takes a little bit of time, but you can make a dollar stretch.

[PGS28]

I agree; the elderly should be better taken care of and so should veterans.  They put their lives on the line for our country and I strongly feel they should be taken care of when they make it home, many have a HARD time just getting their benefits, but that's another topic.

I have to agree with everyone.  There are the many who abuse the system and hurt it for the ones who really need it.  My heart goes out to the elderly who only live on social security.  After they pay their Medicare and supplemental insurance, most times there isn't a lot left.  Most elderly need meds, and the cost of prescriptions can be high.  I know a lot of seniors who only take half their meds and eat once a day because they can't afford more.  With bills like food and heating there's not a lot left.  The only thing these people did wrong was get old.  I can't believe this country with all it's money can't help seniors out better. 

[PGS28]

I strongly agree!  Many are living way beyond their means or aren't willing to sacrifice now to have more in the future.

I don't know much about it but I think in general a lot of people live beyond their means.  You have to really look at what's a want and what's a need and plan your expenses accordingly.  I agree the ones who abuse the system must be punished hopefully not at the expense of those who really need the assistance. I hope those who really need the assistance can find a way to make it work and not suffer too much. 

[PGS28]

When I heard that people might have to start taking drug tests to get stamps I was like ok....what's the problem with that? Also, some states have reportedly started making it so that people can't buy sweets and soda with food stamps, and although I understand how they feel like their rights might be being toyed with they are really doing them a favor if they enforce this.

I think that there were a lot of people abusing the program(s) and they ruined it for the people that truly needed it.  A few years ago I was alking into a grocery store and a gentleman asked me if I wanted to buy his food stamps for half price. Did a great job of selling me on the benefits of being able to buy twice as much merchandise.  I was intrigued and he said that he had bought extra from people within the neighbor hood at an even lower price so he was able to make a bigger profit.  This person indicated that he could use the cash for cigarettes and alcohol-something the food stamps weren't able to be used for. He also cursed the system for this reason! Pretty sad. I have also heard about people, in 15 states, complaining about having to take drug tests prior to getting public assistance. What?!? I have to take a drug test to get a job so that I can pay my way and there are people that be little the system because they have to take a drug test to get free aid?  Seems a little off balance to me.

[PGS28]

I definitely understand! But things will get better

As a disabled person who uses foodstamps in order to eat because I dont make enough to afford food I am not thrilled. I am have worked my *bleep* all my life.But that doesnt mean people want to hire me and so there are times were it gets  a little tough. especially now that I am trying to go back to school to make things better