Diane Sawyer report on Appalachian Poverty (Grayson, California: how much, donate, money)

[kentuckydad95]

Originally Posted by Davart

To my knowledge they do not cover sodas, beer, prepared foods, cigarettes and that type of stuff. I never gotten them (food stamps), but I've seen them refused by store clerks as not allowed.

I used to work at Krogers from the early to late 90's and used to see food stamp familes come into the store at 3 AM and load two buggies with steaks, tv dinners, sodas, and brand name everything. I used to get pissed that they would get to eat better than I did. I am guessing they have changed the rules a little?

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by kentuckydad95

I used to work at Krogers from the early to late 90's and used to see food stamp familes come into the store at 3 AM and load two buggies with steaks, tv dinners, sodas, and brand name everything. I used to get pissed that they would get to eat better than I did. I am guessing they have changed the rules a little?

My sister used to work at Winn Dixie and when the food stamps were paper would watch people exchange them for money every day. I am guessing that is why it went to a card but people will still exchange money for use of the card.

[MN2CO]

I hope this isn't off topic - it isn't about KY, but, just to illustrate that it isn't just KY where this stuff happens:

When I was in college I had to work almost full time to pay for tuiition, food, a tiny apartment. My neighbor was single, 2 children and use to rub it in that she planned these twp kids because she got: free tuition, food stamps, she was able to get 3 estimates from different furntiture stores (she chose the 3 most expensive) and then get free furniture for her kids. I ate hamburger helper - she ate steak. The state even bought her a car. Her apartment was constantly full of her friends that had all done the same thing. Nuff said. This is in the welfare capital - MN.

[FiveHorses]

Originally Posted by Davart

To my knowledge they do not cover sodas, beer, prepared foods, cigarettes and that type of stuff. I never gotten them (food stamps), but I've seen them refused by store clerks as not allowed.

Perhaps someone with better knowledge can enlighten me - because in my particular state (which is not KY) I have watched as those paying with food stamps separate what is covered and what is not. Soda, just from what I had observed, does not appear to be covered where I live. In fact, soda and other "junk foods" are subject to a food tax here, whereas staple foods are not.

Or - better put: Which government body sets the rules governing items covered/not covered by food stamps?

But at the end of the day... does it even really matter? Regardless of what is covered or what is not; a parent, any parent in any state, makes the choice of what goes into a two year old's cup.

[dixiegirl7]

Originally Posted by Davart

To my knowledge they do not cover sodas, beer, prepared foods, cigarettes and that type of stuff. I never gotten them (food stamps), but I've seen them refused by store clerks as not allowed.

You can purchase any food item with food stamps. Non food items like pet foods, toiletries, cleaning supplies, tobacco, alcohol and paper items are not covered.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by dixiegirl7

Neither has sensatiionalizing a problem for the sole reason of tv ratings. No one is denying those problems exist, but they exist in many states in this country. The people of that area deserve to be respected, not to be made a spectacle of for the viewing pleasure of the rest of the nation.

Have to say, I for one did not enjoy a single thing about this story, so it was far from a "viewing pleasure". It was, however, gripping and gut wrenching and should be required viewing by every politician in America.

We live in AMERICA folks, not some 3rd world nation for pete's sake!!! Seeing fellow Americans living in such horrid conditions is appalling.

But for some reason, some of you Kentuckians only want to cover this stuff up - it's like the family with 4 perfect kids being embarrassed by their one wayward child (their "black sheep") so they pretend he doesn't really exist while bragging on all the others at the PTA.

The fact is, THESE ARE YOUR PEOPLE - FELLOW KENTUCKIANS AND FELLOW AMERICANS - nothing will change if you waste all your time too offended by people talking about the problem to spend any time doing something about the problem.

[Spotted1]

Originally Posted by Davart

To my knowledge they do not cover sodas, beer, prepared foods, cigarettes and that type of stuff. I never gotten them (food stamps), but I've seen them refused by store clerks as not allowed.

Food stamps do cover pop, and if you see a gas station that offers "Hunts Brother's Pizza", then those can be purchased (provided they are paid for BEFORE they are cooked, and then not eaten inside of the gas station following purchase.), with food stamps.

Beer, cigarettes, diapers, trash bags, dog food, cleaning supplies, etc. can not be purchased.

If you can eat it, and it's not "hot deli" (with the exception of the aforementioned pizzas) then you can purchase it.

[Spotted1]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

Have to say, I for one did not enjoy a single thing about this story, so it was far from a "viewing pleasure". It was, however, gripping and gut wrenching and should be required viewing by every politician in America.

We live in AMERICA folks, not some 3rd world nation for pete's sake!!! Seeing fellow Americans living in such horrid conditions is appalling.

But for some reason, some of you Kentuckians only want to cover this stuff up - it's like the family with 4 perfect kids being embarrassed by their one wayward child (their "black sheep") so they pretend he doesn't really exist while bragging on all the others at the PTA.

The fact is, THESE ARE YOUR PEOPLE - FELLOW KENTUCKIANS AND FELLOW AMERICANS - nothing will change if you waste all your time too offended by people talking about the problem to spend any time doing something about the problem.

There's a big difference about not helping with the problem versus not wanting to be lumped in as being the problem. Eastern Kentucky has it's fair share of problems, nobody is denying that. But we're not all that way. These kinds of broadcasts don't make people want to go out there and help those that are down on their luck - so to speak. Instead, they perpetuate the stereotypes that all Kentuckians in Appalachia live this type of life. We're not all deadbeat drug addicts drawing welfare. Some of us have very normal lives, and we want to live them without being ostracized from the rest of the country because of our "neighbors" bad decisions.

It's like somebody coming into your house, and finding one clothes basket of dirty laundry in an otherwise very clean and suitable home. Then that person taking pictures of your clothes basket and showing your dirty laundry to everybody else so you can be judged without them having the whole picture.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Spotted1

There's a big difference about not helping with the problem versus not wanting to be lumped in as being the problem. Eastern Kentucky has it's fair share of problems, nobody is denying that. But we're not all that way. These kinds of broadcasts don't make people want to go out there and help those that are down on their luck - so to speak. Instead, they perpetuate the stereotypes that all Kentuckians in Appalachia live this type of life. We're not all deadbeat drug addicts drawing welfare. Some of us have very normal lives, and we want to live them without being ostracized from the rest of the country because of our "neighbors" bad decisions.

It's like somebody coming into your house, and finding one clothes basket of dirty laundry in an otherwise very clean and suitable home. Then that person taking pictures of your clothes basket and showing your dirty laundry to everybody else so you can be judged without them having the whole picture.

You are so busy trying to distance yourself from the problem that you have BECOME part of the problem

[MN2CO]

Originally Posted by Spotted1

. Instead, they perpetuate the stereotypes that all Kentuckians in Appalachia live this type of life. We're not all deadbeat drug addicts drawing welfare. Some of us have very normal lives, and we want to live them without being ostracized from the rest of the country because of our "neighbors" bad decisions.

It's like somebody coming into your house, and finding one clothes basket of dirty laundry in an otherwise very clean and suitable home. Then that person taking pictures of your clothes basket and showing your dirty laundry to everybody else so you can be judged without them having the whole picture.

Sotted1 - I for one didn't walk away thinking everyone was that way and from what I've read here, neither does anyone else from outside KY. Please, we're not stupid! Every state has their "issues". We just don't all have mountains.