Today is Friday and I ate some tasty food purchased by food stamps.
How do food stamps work? The current system has transferred the previous paper system of actual ‘stamps’ onto an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card, that is, for all intents and purposes, the same as a debit card, automatically transferring benefits at the beginning of each month. Using an EBT card allows individuals to discretely purchase an array of foods at a variety of sponsoring grocery stores that accept EBT food stamps. Most major grocery stores accept EBT food stamps, including Giant, Harris Teeter, Safeway and even Target and Costco. There are also a surprisingly large number of convenient stores and local (non-chain) grocery stores that accept EBT food stamps. Personally, I can attest that this new EBT system is incredibly convenient, not only in the sense that I can simply carry around a portable plastic benefits card, but for someone who is still embarrassed about using food assistance (for clarification on this, please see my earlier posts), it helps me to confidentially and discretely purchase my food.
EBT food stamps do have some restrictions. Firstly, one can only purchase non-prepared food. This means that pre-made meals (frozen, sandwiches and side dishes available at the deli) do not qualify as items purchasable with EBT food stamps. Alcohol, cigarettes or any other type of medicine, product or non-food item are also strictly prohibited. Finally, an EBT food stamps user cannot transfer benefits to another individual, regardless of whether they are also receiving food assistance. When making purchases at a store, if any of the aforementioned prohibited items are included in the subtotal of items, then the EBT food stamps will automatically deduct EBT-friendly items and then the remaining balance will reflect those items not covered by food assistance. This system is really user-friendly and quite self-explanatory; I have never had any problems in the nearly three-months I have been receiving food assistance.
How do I feel about my experience, so far, with food assistance? I can honestly say it has been humbling. Prior to receiving my food assistance benefits, I never quite understood what it meant to be in need of food. I was aware of the food stamp program, but I always assumed, very callously, that it was a system intended for the poorest of the poor, those who had practically nothing. I was wrong. Food assistance is a means to an end, it is not a means to a means; it helps people who need food for an immediate period of time, when they struggle the most; it does not support long-term reliance on the program. While individuals in need are able to receive food assistance for extended periods of time, often longer than the year time frame, it is generally because they have reapplied for their assisted benefits. This experience has also taught me that one cannot ascertain who is poor and who is not simply based upon appearances. Poverty has many shapes and sizes, degrees and calibers. It may be true that some individuals who wear tattered clothes and appear disheveled are indeed on food assistance; however, one should not overlook the fact that some people choose to dress in such a manner. Similarly, an individual who chooses to dress very formally may in fact be wearing the only articles of clothing that he or she possesses. The stories my grandparents would tell me when I was younger about how individuals during The Depression would wear their very best clothes, only to stand in line at the local food shelter to receive their daily food rations have never seemed clearer to me than they do now. It is practically impossible to know who is poor and who is not poor; moreover, one should not be so hasty in their judgment of who is poor and who is not; regardless of poverty, everyone has a right to survive and fight for their survival. Food stamps, for some, are survival. For me, food stamps help me make ends meet, but it is by no means a necessary component of my survival. If I were truly pressed, I could readjust my living situation so that more of my monthly AmeriCorps stipend would be direct towards food. I choose to live in the conditions I do; some people (mostly those living in poverty) do not have this luxury. I admit that I appreciate the benefits I receive from food assistance, but they are by not necessary, when compared to someone who literally has nothing. The point I am trying to make is that poverty is multifaceted and it varies between individuals. My poverty is real, but temporary. For others, their poverty is both real and inherent. Their access to food assistance may be their means to survival, their existence.
I appreciate food stamps, I do; I also appreciate that this program exists, more for those who have a greater need than I do and for those that will continue to struggle for their next meal, long after my AmeriCorps service has come to a close.
While I am technically living in poverty, I am sure that most people would never know that I receive food assistance unless they were informed. If you ever have the opportunity to meet me face-to-face, please let me know if I look “poor”.
I encourage everyone to at least attempt the food stamp challenge for a period of 5 days. I promise it will open one’s eyes to a whole new perspective on life.
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