DeFazio uses grocery trip to warn against food stamp cuts

[Poll_Blind]

Monday morning, congressman Peter Defazio went to WinCo to protest the farm bills that will cut the budget of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. He bought one weeks worth of food with the current SNAP budget.

PB

[bunnies]

1. We need more like this. nt

[SamKnause]

2. Food Stamps

They should be increasing food stamps, not decreasing.

I currently receive $109.00 per MONTH.

$3.63 per DAY.

I used to really enjoy shopping for food.

I hate going to the grocery store now.

[duffyduff]

3. "They" expect you to make up the difference

That is why it is called "supplemental" nutrition. Of course it isn't anywhere near enough for one person to live on.

I get $142 a month maximum, but there are months I get only $90.

The higher figure is good for about three weeks worth of food; I have to somehow scrounge for that last week.

I hardly make anything in my "jobs" as a substitute teacher/teacher assistant plus a tiny pension.

[SamKnause]

4. Food Stamps 2

I have no money to make up the difference.

I am disabled and live on SSDI.

My situation will never improve.

The future looks dark and bleak.

We should not have to live like this.

I worked hard and played by the rules, now I just want out.

[snappyturtle]

6. I am so sorry to hear of your situation. I have lived it so I know

how hard it is. One of the things I hated the most was watching the other shoppers...no cares, no worries, seemingly, anyway. People cannot understand unless they've lived on so very little for, not just a week, but for .........................

[SamKnause]

7. Food Stamps 3

Thanks for the kind words and understanding.

I will be 60 years old (the 26 of this month).

I should not have to feel guilty if I want to buy a Pepsi, or a piece of candy.

I was working very hard and doing okay before I became disabled.

It has been all down hill from there.

My house is falling down and I have no money for repairs.

My lawn tractor died and I have no way of replacing it.

The grass is out of control.

I just keep the curtains closed and try to hide and not think about it.

[snappyturtle]

8. OH! You need some help. Where are you?

Take it from me....closing the curtains is not a good idea. I know it's hard. Try opening them a little anyway to let in some light.

Any family or friends in your area?

[SamKnause]

9. Food Stamps 4

I am in rural Ohio.

My mother will be 89 in August.

She is in great health.

She only visits when my brother brings her up.

She helps out with groceries and toilet paper etc. She is not wealthy.

She lives 110 miles round trip.

Same distance for my brother.

He has been unemployed for a long time and can't afford gas to come up as often as he used to.

My sister is a little closer but she is involved with her 3 kids and 6 grand kids.

I have one friend who stops by once a month or so.

I like being alone and rarely leave my house.

I have agoraphobia, panic attacks etc.

I am a bit of a hermit.

I have heard my entire life that 'money can't buy happiness'.

I disagree, money would solve all my problems.

I don't mind being alone, having agoraphobia, or being a hermit.

I hate that my house is falling down and that my Cub Cadet died.

The real kicker is I hate mowing, but I didn't want my Cub Cadet to die.

Oh well, what can a person do ?

Thanks for your concern, I mean that sincerely.

[snappyturtle]

10. I know about the alone part too. I'm 1500miles from my

nearest relative and only have a couple of girl friends I see occassionally. But, I keep busy and am happy enough. I have asthma pretty bad and that slows me down.

Enjoy your family...esp. your mom. I lost mine 16 mos. ago. She was 95. I'm 65 and my daughter is 35 and son 37, both in the Twin Cities. I'm 125 miles west of Austin,TX. I lived in the Chippewa Nat'l. Forest for 15 years. Had many summer neighbors but few winter ones! So, I've learned to live alone and don't mind it too much, most days anyway.

I was glad to learn you have family and a friend or two. I think that's important...and you've got DU whenever you want it. Lots of good people here.

[SamKnause]

11. Food Stamps 5

Thanks for sharing a bit of your family history with me.

I guess your mother had and my mother has good genes.

Are there a lot of Native American Indians near where you live ? Chippewas ?

[snappyturtle]

12. I'm in TX now but "Yes" the Chippewas are the prevailing band

in the area of MN where I lived.

[japple]

15. Duffy & Sam, please look to your local food banks. They are there in even the most

rural areas. In my rural area, many churches (shudder) even support food banks. Many families and singles can get assistance, esp. in those months when the food runs out before the end of the month. Most of the groceries are staples like canned goods, but one of the local thrift stores was recently giving away a huge supply of artisan bread from one of the grocery chains in the community (probably Kroger or Walmart).

Find out if there are community gardens in your area and invest a little time in growing your own groceries. Sometimes, all you need to do is pull a few weeds or do some picking--nothing heavy. Sometimes, you don't even need to do anything, esp. if there is a bumper crop of zucchini or tomatoes!!

Please don't give up. If you are a member of DU, we need you--now, more than ever before. We need your voice, your wisdom and your insight. We are all in this together and we need everyone of us. Every voice is important. I am glad we have yours at DU.

[SamKnause]

16. Japple

Thank you for your post, suggestions and concerns.

[duffyduff]

17. I was illegally fired by my school district five years ago, but I have NEVER been able to work

regular work ever again, while the asshole who did it is still working there, bouncing from job to job to job.

She has another principal job she is being moved to after having been in the central office the last year.

These people are allowed to do better than ever, while the people they stepped on are thrown onto the streets.

At this late stage of my life, there is virtually no hope for things to get better for me.

[snappyturtle]

5. Here's an easily read article about the passed Senate bill

and the proposed House bill. The Senate cut $4 billion and the proposed House bill will cut $20.5 billion! So while we're here discussing security and the NSA our representatives are finding ways to make life more miserable for millions of people.

I hope DeFazio took his shopping spree one more step and actually only ate for one week what he bought.

Edit: opps! http://grist.org/food/late-and-lame-farm-bill-finally-clears-senate/?utm_campaign=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&sub_email=[e-mail]

[nineteen50]

13. In whose pocket

is food stamp monies found? Hint, not the poor.

[AsahinaKimi]

14. Seems Republicans would

Rather let families starve to death, rather than help them. Guessing this comes from the Reagan era, where people were told to "Pull your own damn self up by your bootstraps".

How many companies decided to hire part time workers over full time workers, so they wouldn't have to pay out as much? I bet alot.