Food Stamps

Food stamps: Who really needs them? 
The scanner beeps each item through. Milk, eggs, cheese. The look on the woman's face darkens as as she watches the total grow higher and higher. She looks down, checking the number on the small receipt in her hand, silently checking to see if the amount she owes today will be covered. $43.65 is her total, she sighs, and puts the cheese back on the shelf. Her food stamp card is maxed, she walks to the exit with her food in hand. What is this woman's story? Is this all the food she will have? When is the next time her card will be refilled?

A man walks into the market and heads straight for the donuts. Without skipping a beat he heads over to the fountains drinks and grabs four bottles. On his way to the cash register he grabs a few candy bars then throws everything down on the counter. His total comes out to $16.75, he hands over his food stamp card. With his lunch and dinner in hand he strolls for the door.

As a cashier at a small market I have many experiences a day with customers who use food stamps. There are typically two types of food stamp users, ones who use the stamps for essential food items and those who use the stamps for junk food or soft drinks. I have many regulars who will come in and use food stamps for their soft drinks, candy, and other snacks, then a regular card or cash to pay for their cigarettes and alcohol.

The most interesting part of these transactions is the reaction of the customers waiting in line behind the food stamp user. The disgusted look and the occasional scoff often follows a food stamp user to the exit. It is obvious the frustration of the customers who use cash to pay for their items as they watch someone else use taxpayer dollars, their taxpayer dollars, for Mountain Dew and Cheetos. 

Ask anyone on the street what they think of food stamps, and you will be rewarded with a litany of answers. People bring a lot of opinion to this particular table of discussion, but it’s important to know the facts. According to Global Cheat Sheet, Oregon is the fourth highest user of food stamps in our nation, behind New Mexico, the District of Columbia, and Mississippi. Currently there are over 800,000 food stamp recipients in Oregon, around 20% of the state. This food stamp use comes out to around $25 per taxpaying citizen annually. These are high numbers, more than might be expected for a state many consider to be doing well.

According to studies, state residents have trouble finding full time work, and their low hours help to qualify them for state programs. After the recession some of the food stamp policies were changed, including age requirements and the length on which a participant can remain on food stamps. These and other changes have led to some of the highest participant numbers in the nation.

Studies have shown that food stamp users have about $30 dollars a week to live off of. This comes out to about $1.50 per meal that users have to spend. When I learned this I was taken aback, it seemed like a very low amount to survive off. It also put into context the number of food stamp users that come into the store I work in and spend five dollars or less, usually buying a snack item. 

As frustrating as seeing people use food stamps can be for some citizens, it is a fact that some people need them. Working at this store I get to converse with people who are truly struggling, people who work two jobs and still need food stamps to make sure their children don't go hungry. My attitude has changed from an anti food stamp policy to a pro stance. All it took was speaking to those in need and showing compassion to people down on their luck.


At a Glance
Food Stamps
-43 Million Users
-Live off of $30 per day
-Oregon is fourth on the highest using list
-There are no time restraints on food stamp use

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