Hmm interesting, why don't you pitch it to your local gov't?

I don't think this would be a good idea. I don't want the government competing with the private sector stores.

I'd rather see food stamps provided as credit card type devices that can only purchase certain things. They're already doing this in some places and I think that is the way to go.

I think what you can purchase with food stamps should be much more restricted. No pop/soda, no candy, no potato chips, no junk food of any kind. Just the basics.

Myself, I come from an Eastern European country that had vaulcher system in the early years of the 90-ties, I can see this possible. But if we have to look at the bigger picture, with the current outsourcing in US, forcing the middle class towards lower class or even poverty, a possible recession and I can imagine a "voulcher class" forming in your country in the long term, with food, clothing and other bare neccessities and their "accessibility" would be totally controlled by the government. I'm exaggerating? Possibly. But still, think over the darker aspects for a while.

In Ontario, we don't have food stamps programs, but we also don't get near the same amount of welfare that Americans do. I agree with Brad in that government-run stores would be a bad idea, but certainly feel that volunteering in a food-share/food-bank program is a good idea.

In my city, we have a food box program. It's run by a combination of local programs, but the YMCA is the most prominent sponsor. For 24.00/month for a fresh produce/staple food box (containing dry and canned goods) is delivered to your home along with a brochure containing recipe ideas, work/job search tips and seminar listings, etc,. For 14.oo/month, you can get a similar food box with just fresh produce. It's been a great success in our area, and many low-income families rely on it to get by. Other city programs include community food gardens, group cooking and meal planning (a group of people are arranged, each cooks one potluck-sized meal and trades off with the other members of the group. Everybody gets different meals, and it is better suited for those with small families [ie singleparent with single child]).

The stigma of recieving foodboxes is not like going to a food bank. You do pay for your purchases. The difference here is that with a great number of people involved in the program, the organizing group can pay for things in bulk purchasing. Your involvement with the program is more than just paying for money. They request active work from recipients. It's a good start to becoming more employable as the job skills one can learn in such a big organization is great. Community work does help.

I Like your idea, I think the current system needs a change and fresh ideas can only help. The current system gets taken advantage of, which is sad.

I think what you can purchase with food stamps should be much more restricted. No pop/soda, no candy, no potato chips, no junk food of any kind. Just the basics.

The problem now, which Jill's idea would eliminate, is that people can't use the cards/stamps to buy necessities like soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc--but yet they can, as you said, buy all the junk food they want. It's as if the system ENCOURAGES misplaced priorities.

Kudos to Jilluser for coming up with a plan rather than rehashing the same debate!

My initial impression is that setting up the goverment stores would be costly to start with, and relying on volunteers is never a sure fire plan--but I like the concept. Also, I think Brad (or more accurately the areas that are already using them) is on to something with the creditcard mechanism--if we could restructure allowable purchases (ie, as Poetmom99 said, make soap, toilet paper...available while removing things that are not necessary) then there is no reason to provide change after a purchase--thus eliminating some of the abuse that has been occuring. This method also doesn't punish those people who have not been abusing the system (the quiet ones who we never hear about).

JillUser, this sounds a lot like the "old" food stamp program.  When food stamps got you what the stamps said on it.  Their was "government cheese" milk, peanut butter, bread, etc.  You got nourishment.  But, as time went on, people wanted the "choice" of what they ate and said that they deserved a better standard of living.  That is how the food stamps got to the state they are.  We used to get boxes of "government" milk because my Aunt was too lazy to mix it.  (Yep, dry milk is still nutritious).  She also didn't like the government cheese. 

But, I agree, if people had to go to the store and only got what they needed for nourishment, only the people who really needed it would use it.  It then would be returned back to a "survival" tool instead of a lifestyle choice.

We could do the same thing now, though.  Have stamps that are only good for certain things.  Like you get 2 milk stamps (good for a gallon of milk) a week and 2 bread and 4 meat and so many pounds of fruit and so many pounds of veggies, etc.  No "pre-prepared" crap.  Just food that will keep you nourished.....which is what food stamps are for, right?

You guys seem to get my idea. My basic desire is to revamp the system to discourage both abuse due to lack of need and abuse due to buying non essential products (like Poestmom said, junk food).

Shades, I agree that the stores would probably require too much investment. Thanks for the constructive input.

KarmaGirl, the old system is definitely my inspiration. People didn't like not having a choice but it did provide them with what the "needed". Not having choices inspired them to do for themselves in my experience.

YES YES YES YES. I proposed the same thing several years ago, obviously with no success. I also recently proposed a "weight test" for food stamps. Anyone above normal Body Mass Index would be ineligible for food stamps.

I believe stores should have a special line for food stamp recipients that get bags of groceries pre-selected. If they are truly hungry they will be grateful. If they just want a lifestyle at someone else's expense, they will pay for food themselves.

I also proposed that bus stops should be spaced every 4 miles. The most any child would have to walk is 2 miles. I do that for exercise .... surely they can too.

I agree that government run stores would be costly to start up. And, even with cheap labor to work them, there would still be utilities and other such expenses involved with running them that would simply add to the expense of the program and take away some money from actually benefitting those who require help. Also, the government shouldn't take business away from private stores to support a welfare program.

The current system should limit what can be purchased in the way of "junk food" as previously stated, and allow for other needed items like soap and toilet paper. The credit card idea is better than the coupon currently issued and should require a photo ID in order to be used. Perhaps if people can't trade the stamps for drugs, booze, etc... they might actually get up and get a job to pay for these things if they want them that badly. Now I am not saying everyone who get's food stamps does this, so don't everyone jump on that bandwagon. But it IS well known that a lot of food stamps get traded in just such a way.

Food stamps, coupons, etc... should also only be used to buy "store brand" or generic items when they are available. This will stretch the food dollar as these brands are cheaper and normally just as good as "name" brands .

Good thinking Jill, but all in all government run stores would just be a bad idea.

I'd rather see food stamps provided as credit card type devices that can only purchase certain things. They're already doing this in some places and I think that is the way to go.

from what I am experiencing now that is what it is.

I get about 150 a month for food and I can get it at any goverment approved grocer or supermarket.
They also use the card for a money stipend and it acts like an EBT card... because it sort of is one.


As far as extra for xmas and stuff... not sure. I guess Goodwill or some other non-for-profit could always donate or organize toys and clothes.

They already have a voucher program for clothes to go to work in and the Goodwill store also has toys and books. The voucher can be used for that.


I think some of what you suggest is already in play. The only thing I would have needed was money for a hair cut during the first 5 or 6 weeks before they give you a cash stipend. Its hard trying to find a job when your hair is a rag tag mess. What made it worst was that my clippers just brooke!!!


Oh and when i do shopw for food, sometime i do get brand name, like cereal for instance, but I don't do it offten. I only get 150 and I have to budget it out. So instead of getting Jiffy peanut butter I get Associated (or Key Food) peanut butter.

If you have any questions, just ask. I know the public assistance program because I am in it. I think it works pretty well... its just very embarrasing and annouying. Not to mention the privacy invation and hassle.

Its still far better than welfare of yester-year.

Wow, surprised to see this awakened from its grave Joe, with all due respect, I am glad you feel the system works "pretty well", but you probably aren't one who is trying to abuse it. You sound like an appreciative, nongreedy person. I see far too many around my parts (Detroit area) that abuse the system like crazy.

BTW, about the haircut, you can get a free one at any local beauty school.

BTW, about the haircut, you can get a free one at any local beauty school.

Since when? When I was a kid,it cost $5 to get one from the local beauty school. Most beauty schools don't hand out freebie haircuts anymore that I know of (one exception: if your hair is long enough to make a "locks of love" donation).