Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:It is entirely likely that the iPhone is the woman's sole method of using the Internet. She probably doesn't have a computer at home or a FIOs connection. The ability to use email and the web is almost as important as being able to use a telephone these days. Older iPhones can be obtained free-of-charge or for a very low fee. I wouldn't necessarily assume that it is an extravagance.

The library has free internet. She doesn't need an iPhone.

Please spend the next month using the Internet only during library hours, and spend at least 30 minutes round trip commuting each time you want to use the Internet during those hours, and deduct the bus/ gas money from your limited funds.

Let me know how that goes for you.

So self righteous I could puke.

+1

After my husband and I split, I used the food bank for several years. At 20$ an hr, I could barely afford our apartment but I made too much for assistance. I wanted to keep plentiful food in the house for my teenager. It wasn't fair or healthy to make her live on ramen. We got lots of fresh produce every week, and combined with smart shopping and my working 4-5 jobs, we made it. I also occasionally took her out to eat-pho, taco truck, etc. Nothing fancy. But we all deserve a break. Struggling as hard as I did, I certainly deserved to be able to grab a meal out once a week. I was always grateful and happy with the food bank workers and plan on going back to volunteer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see this every year at the Salvation Army Angel Tree Distribution. There I am with my family looking hot and disheveled, dragging out bags of new selected gifts and bicycles to mom who have been to the beauty salon that morning, have decorated fingernails two inches long, makeup, tight new clothes, boots, new purses and better iphones than I use. In fact they don't even put down the phone to bother to thank us - the donors to the salvation army - nor do they even respond when I wish them a "Merry Christmas". Most, if they check their backs, complain that the microwaved they asked for it is not in there. I'm done with the attitude of entitlement. ANd yes all of these moms are perfectly capable of working from what I can observe.

This is why I stopped contributing to charities in this area. Most of those toys and gifts are re-sold for things the mothers want because the children receive so much through other sources. Through the Salvation Army I found other charities in less affluent areas where the gifts stay with the children. I am also involved with a local charity which allows me to earmark donations for things like medicine rather than rent or food. Recipients charity shop and know how to get food first, then payment of utility bills, followed by rent, school supplies and weekend food backpacks and last medicine. I earmark the money for medicine because the pharmacies are paid directly Donations are also more likely to go to people who are not covered by government or charity programs.

I'm the PP. Yes, I stopped with the angel tree gifts after that experience 20 years ago. (I started giving to local homeless shelters instead, and now I also like to give to veterans' organizations.) But what you say about the mothers selling their kids' gifts for their own wants (since the kids already get from multiple sources) is infuriating. Call me naive, but it never occurred to me the recipients of charity gifts scammed people like that.

NP but society has moved on from a point where kids need toys or gifts.Those things are so cheap and plentiful now, whereas housing and daycare are the main things that families can't afford. Which is mostly why we don't donate to the angel trees. And I'm sure that so many of these moms CAN work, but they can't make enough to afford daycare, so why bother.

This has been a very interesting post for me. I'm the Salvation Army Angel Tree worker and my older children also participate. What I'm hearing you say is that all those nice brand-new goodies we hand select to fit the needs of a particular family are fenced for drugs? Wow. The S/A works so hard with these families (mostly single female) to try and get them everything they they have listed on their Santa's wish, and some include some pretty pricey items. Then S/A works for four consecutive days and nights make up each family's name - mark it with the family name and then indicate if a bicycle (adjacent room) would be included. Everything is brand new. I saw copper cookware, microwaves, knife sets, big screen TVS, and 100s of bicycles. When the "client's" no. is call" we volunteers run to find the bag and my kids run off to see if there are new bicycles that go with the big bag of loot. It never occurred to me that they would take these items with them and immediately sell them. Maybe that's why the moms never brought their children with them. And they did get snitty if a microwave was missing from a bag. I would have to go get a Salvation Army officer to come and explain that ever bag has a limit/cap and that some of the bags had to be adjusted depending upon the families' financial needs. By the second hour I had stopped say "Happy Holidays" because I was getting just hostililty and no thanks. Moms couldn't be bothered to look up from their fancy phones to even than the Army for the $500 worth of gifts, all the while dressed better than me, better groomed, better purse, outrageous two-inch long fingernails. One of them asked me (a dumpy over 60 woman) if I could carry the big plastic bag to her car because she didn't want to break a nail. That was it. No more S/A work for me, but I will send them money.

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:It is entirely likely that the iPhone is the woman's sole method of using the Internet. She probably doesn't have a computer at home or a FIOs connection. The ability to use email and the web is almost as important as being able to use a telephone these days. Older iPhones can be obtained free-of-charge or for a very low fee. I wouldn't necessarily assume that it is an extravagance.

The library has free internet. She doesn't need an iPhone.

Please spend the next month using the Internet only during library hours, and spend at least 30 minutes round trip commuting each time you want to use the Internet during those hours, and deduct the bus/ gas money from your limited funds.

Let me know how that goes for you.

So self righteous I could puke.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you use EBT for prepared food?

No.

You can't use food stamps for prepared food, but you can use TANF cash, unemployment, foster care stipends,or the money you earn from summer youth employment, all of which come on EBT cards.

Golden Corral has to have an agreement with the state to accept TANF or other benefits via EBT. This almost certainly isn't the case.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you use EBT for prepared food?

No.

You can't use food stamps for prepared food, but you can use TANF cash, unemployment, foster care stipends,or the money you earn from summer youth employment, all of which come on EBT cards.

What is Golden Corral? Not trying to be snarky, but it seems like we don't have them in Maryland. Is it a chain restaurant, kinda like Ruby Tuesday?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should have called her on it OP and then slapped the crap out of her. Snatched the iphne away from her and took the ebt card. Your tax dollars are paying for them anyway, right? Why wait for Trump? Poor people certainly don't deserve nice things/delicious food at Golden Corral.

I've been through hard economic times, where I didn't take public aid. I didn't have an iPhone or eat out. I lived on boxes of pasta, day old bread, and tomato sauce. There was no protein because meat was too exoensive. I ended up in the emergency room on thanksgiving, where they did give me a food basket. That's what you do when you have hard times. You save your pennies, and don't cry "I deserve xxxxxxxx." You don't spend every last dime on Air Jordans or iPhones because that's one of the things which perpetuates poverty, this type of entitled consumerism.

No, that's what YOU chose to do in hard times. You should have taken the public aid.

No, some people have pride and would rather "do for themselves" as best they can. I qualified for food stamps at one point - for several months - but didn't take it. Lots of people feel the same.

You may relish being a martyr, but not everyone does. Frankly, if the program is there, why shouldn't people use it? As for her overall situation (e.g., the fact she has an iPhone) as others have pointed out there are many reasons why this may be possible.

I'd suggest the posters on here mind their own businesses. Just b/c someone is on public assistance does not give you license to judge whether she should be or criticize her choices. You may THINK it does, but it doesn't. And, it only reveals how ugly your soul is.

Anonymous wrote:You were at the golden corral? Was this some kind of hostage situation?

+1 yuck!

For $30 a month you can get 1GB of data and 1500 minutes of talk time from PagePlus which uses Verizon's towers. That's pretty inexpensive. There are providers that use T-Mobile and Sprint that are even cheaper.

jsteele wrote:It is entirely likely that the iPhone is the woman's sole method of using the Internet. She probably doesn't have a computer at home or a FIOs connection. The ability to use email and the web is almost as important as being able to use a telephone these days. Older iPhones can be obtained free-of-charge or for a very low fee. I wouldn't necessarily assume that it is an extravagance.

The library has free internet. She doesn't need an iPhone.

Anonymous wrote:This all comes down to what you choose to believe:

-the poor are poor due to bad decisions which others do not make, or

-the poor are simply unlucky and otherwise are exactly like us, including their choices.

The reality is likely someplace in the middle.

As to the lady's decision to eat out at a restaurant while flaunting BOTH her IPhone and her EBT card, we can all agree that was a bad decision.

I've been poor enough in college to survive for months on Ramen noodles, the cheapest raw vegies, day-old bagels, and tap water.

Instead of EBT or what we had then (food stamps), I chose hard work.

Because of my hard work, I can now afford an IPhone and golden coral, without ever getting handouts from other taxpayers. Something tells me EBT lady isn't trying very hard.

How in gods good name would you even know that you have no idea if this lady is real much less what her specific circumstances might be if she Is real.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should have called her on it OP and then slapped the crap out of her. Snatched the iphne away from her and took the ebt card. Your tax dollars are paying for them anyway, right? Why wait for Trump? Poor people certainly don't deserve nice things/delicious food at Golden Corral.

I've been through hard economic times, where I didn't take public aid. I didn't have an iPhone or eat out. I lived on boxes of pasta, day old bread, and tomato sauce. There was no protein because meat was too exoensive. I ended up in the emergency room on thanksgiving, where they did give me a food basket. That's what you do when you have hard times. You save your pennies, and don't cry "I deserve xxxxxxxx." You don't spend every last dime on Air Jordans or iPhones because that's one of the things which perpetuates poverty, this type of entitled consumerism.

No, that's what YOU chose to do in hard times. You should have taken the public aid.

No, some people have pride and would rather "do for themselves" as best they can. I qualified for food stamps at one point - for several months - but didn't take it. Lots of people feel the same.

Do you want a gold star or something? Do you get off on looking down your nose at people? These programs exist to help people when they need it. Why should anyone be ashamed to take help if they qualify for it? I have a close family member who left an abusive relationship with a baby. She needed EBT until she could get back on her feet. It doesnt mean she didn't have any pride. She needed to feed her kid. I wish people could try a little bit of compassion instead of being so nasty.

No, but I and the other poster (at least one) have pointed out that not only is there no recognition of the effort put forth by people who make their own way - but they're actually put down for it! Sorry, but while I understand that people need help, SOME credit should go to people who manage it on their own. Instead, they're attacked. When instances are pointed out where people are exploiting the system, they're defended. It's the upside-down world of liberals where responsible, self-sufficient people are criticized, and people who are on government assistance are almost applauded by comparison. I don't look down on those who go on programs, but yes....I do admire the people who want to make it on their own.

It's important to their world view, political beliefs, and sense of self that the recipients of government assistance be blameless folks who just happen to be down on their luck. Evidence that challenges this notion makes them very upset.

I think it's political correctness run amok - that however one lives (having 8 kids and being on taxpayer funding for decades OR being financially responsible for yourself, living modestly with one or two children to stay within a tight budget) is just as admirable as another. I disagree. While it's great that we have a safety net for those truly in need, it is better to be self-sufficient if possible. Yes - it's better. And while some people cannot get off gov't assistance, what's wrong with communicating that becoming financially responsible for yourself is something to strive for? We are so hellbent on not hurting anyone's feelings that we fail to acknowledge the obvious.

+1. Well said.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should have called her on it OP and then slapped the crap out of her. Snatched the iphne away from her and took the ebt card. Your tax dollars are paying for them anyway, right? Why wait for Trump? Poor people certainly don't deserve nice things/delicious food at Golden Corral.

I've been through hard economic times, where I didn't take public aid. I didn't have an iPhone or eat out. I lived on boxes of pasta, day old bread, and tomato sauce. There was no protein because meat was too exoensive. I ended up in the emergency room on thanksgiving, where they did give me a food basket. That's what you do when you have hard times. You save your pennies, and don't cry "I deserve xxxxxxxx." You don't spend every last dime on Air Jordans or iPhones because that's one of the things which perpetuates poverty, this type of entitled consumerism.

No, that's what YOU chose to do in hard times. You should have taken the public aid.

No, some people have pride and would rather "do for themselves" as best they can. I qualified for food stamps at one point - for several months - but didn't take it. Lots of people feel the same.

Do you want a gold star or something? Do you get off on looking down your nose at people? These programs exist to help people when they need it. Why should anyone be ashamed to take help if they qualify for it? I have a close family member who left an abusive relationship with a baby. She needed EBT until she could get back on her feet. It doesnt mean she didn't have any pride. She needed to feed her kid. I wish people could try a little bit of compassion instead of being so nasty.

No, but I and the other poster (at least one) have pointed out that not only is there no recognition of the effort put forth by people who make their own way - but they're actually put down for it! Sorry, but while I understand that people need help, SOME credit should go to people who manage it on their own. Instead, they're attacked. When instances are pointed out where people are exploiting the system, they're defended. It's the upside-down world of liberals where responsible, self-sufficient people are criticized, and people who are on government assistance are almost applauded by comparison. I don't look down on those who go on programs, but yes....I do admire the people who want to make it on their own.

It's important to their world view, political beliefs, and sense of self that the recipients of government assistance be blameless folks who just happen to be down on their luck. Evidence that challenges this notion makes them very upset.

I think it's political correctness run amok - that however one lives (having 8 kids and being on taxpayer funding for decades OR being financially responsible for yourself, living modestly with one or two children to stay within a tight budget) is just as admirable as another. I disagree. While it's great that we have a safety net for those truly in need, it is better to be self-sufficient if possible. Yes - it's better. And while some people cannot get off gov't assistance, what's wrong with communicating that becoming financially responsible for yourself is something to strive for? We are so hellbent on not hurting anyone's feelings that we fail to acknowledge the obvious.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see this every year at the Salvation Army Angel Tree Distribution. There I am with my family looking hot and disheveled, dragging out bags of new selected gifts and bicycles to mom who have been to the beauty salon that morning, have decorated fingernails two inches long, makeup, tight new clothes, boots, new purses and better iphones than I use. In fact they don't even put down the phone to bother to thank us - the donors to the salvation army - nor do they even respond when I wish them a "Merry Christmas". Most, if they check their backs, complain that the microwaved they asked for it is not in there. I'm done with the attitude of entitlement. ANd yes all of these moms are perfectly capable of working from what I can observe.

This is why I stopped contributing to charities in this area. Most of those toys and gifts are re-sold for things the mothers want because the children receive so much through other sources. Through the Salvation Army I found other charities in less affluent areas where the gifts stay with the children. I am also involved with a local charity which allows me to earmark donations for things like medicine rather than rent or food. Recipients charity shop and know how to get food first, then payment of utility bills, followed by rent, school supplies and weekend food backpacks and last medicine. I earmark the money for medicine because the pharmacies are paid directly Donations are also more likely to go to people who are not covered by government or charity programs.

I'm the PP. Yes, I stopped with the angel tree gifts after that experience 20 years ago. (I started giving to local homeless shelters instead, and now I also like to give to veterans' organizations.) But what you say about the mothers selling their kids' gifts for their own wants (since the kids already get from multiple sources) is infuriating. Call me naive, but it never occurred to me the recipients of charity gifts scammed people like that.

NP but society has moved on from a point where kids need toys or gifts.Those things are so cheap and plentiful now, whereas housing and daycare are the main things that families can't afford. Which is mostly why we don't donate to the angel trees. And I'm sure that so many of these moms CAN work, but they can't make enough to afford daycare, so why bother.