The Challenge Of Feeding America’s Hungry
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-12-05/challenge-feeding-america%E2%80%99s-hungry
Americans are relying on what we used to call food stamps in unprecedented numbers. According to figures released in September, more than 46 million Americans, about one in seven, are getting government assistance for food, but it’s estimated that millions more struggle with hunger. The nation’s food banks, supported by private dollars and donations, are straining to fill the gap. Federal funding for food stamps is not on the line in the current tax and spending negotiations, but some believe new limits on government food assistance programs are needed. Please join us to discuss hunger in America and what we can do about it.
Guests
Stephen Moore
member of the Wall Street Journal's editorial board.
Deborah Flateman
CEO, Maryland Food Bank.
Stacy Dean
vice president of food assistance policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Eric Olsen
senior vice president of government relations at Feeding America.
Comments
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Let's not forget that poor school age children are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at reduced or no cost at school. So the monthly allotment per family per meal is actually much higher than the guest quoted.
There is no comparison between the legitimacy of your guests. Stephen's comments are completely detached from the reality of the relationship between work and welfare assitance. The vast majority of food stamps recpient families are headed by workers. It is a de facto unemployment program, especially for those workers who are not covered by or have run out of UI.
Why can't food banks and Food Stamp providers educate clients on how to get the most nutrition for the least amount of money.
Hi Diane, I would like to know what is the percentage of people who do not claim their entitlement from the federal food program.
How does food program fraud compare with tax evasion fraud?
Also, what is the average length of time that people are on any food program.
Thank you
Hi Diane, I would like to know what is the percentage of people who do not claim their entitlement from the federal food program.
How does food program fraud compare with tax evasion fraud?
Also, what is the average length of time that people are on any food program.
Thank you
Mr. Moore talks about entitlements. Why do people of his ilk always talk about entitlements as if only the people seeking food and other assistance are milking the system? What about corporations and the wealthy who also feel entitled.... to special tax breaks, to expectations for tax loopholes, and the like....? -- from Dana
Excellent idea, Stacy (check for $52 to food bank)!
Seafood is a nutritious, high quality protein and if you shop wisely, not necessarily more expensive than beef, poultry or pork. I often buy Pollock (whitefish) for 3.99 a lb. or grade B lobster for 4.99 a lb. at Market Basket.
I would hate to get in the way of a food stamp recipient of making a healthy choice by limiting seafood.
Diane,
I was full of pride for many years working 2 or 3 jobs at once to make ends meet, I was always too proud to accept any assistance, when this changed for me was after having children.
After a divorce and almost no help from my ex, I had to ask myself if my children should pay the price (for the rest of there lives) of not getting the nutrition they needed to develop properly just for the sake of my pride.
I am very thankful for this assistance.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0702/Lobster-glut-dr...
I have a master's degree and have worked extensively as a healthcare provider for families of children with developmental disabilities and chronic medical problems.
Many people who are disabled and who have chronic health conditions do have to rely on food stamps and other forms of government assistance because they are physically unable to work. Others must rely on assistance because they have to stay at home with children who are too sick (including children with autism and more severe forms of ADHD or psychiatric difficulties) to attend daycare or public school. As the number of children with severe health problems continues to increase, the number of parents who must leave the workplace also increases.
These families need nutritious foods. They do not need cases of soda, candy, and Little Debbie cakes.
I recently spent a few weeks working as a seasonal employee at a major retail outlet. As a cashier, I had an opportunity to see what many people are purchasing with SNAP or EBT cards. The vast majority of people are trying to buy nutritious foods and working to make their money stretch. I was, however, stunned to see the amount of soft drinks (which have zero nutritional value) that are purchased by many SNAP recipients. This does seem like one area where something is very wrong.
Stacy, I really appreciate you on this panel... Thank you for sharing and clarifying "inaccuracies " :-)
As someone who has worked in social work for many years, particularly with those in extreme poverty and many experiencing homelessness, chronic unemployment, mental health issues and associated obstacles, my experience with privatized versus public assistance programs has been a real eye opener. Many privately established organizations could teach us all a thing or two about entitlement, as the directors of many of these programs make astonishing salaries and live quite comfortable lives. Interestingly enough, this is often particularly true of the faith-based programs, which seem to provide extra perks for their already well-paid executives.
(WFYI Indianapolis) Would somebody please tell your guest Steven to correct his missuse of "Entitlements" when he's talking about SELF entitlement? It causes confusion. This is part of the problem. Entitlement Programs like SSI and SNAP have taxpayer pre-investment, so we ARE entitled to a return.
As a new mom working part time I recently signed up for the WIC program. Unfortunately I learned that WIC in PA will not pay for organic formula or food for my child until age 2. I have decided that for the health of my child I will only feed her organic and non-GMO products. Since WIC can limit quantity, why aren't organic products included on their accepted foods list, just in a smaller quantity if $$ is the issue? As a long-time organic food buyer, even on my low budget, I am definitely willing to put quality over quantity would I have the choice with WIC. I am not even given the choice.
Thanks Diane, for hosting what should become the annual "Tiny Steven Moore" Christmas spirit show. It is truly heartwarming to see someone stand up for the wealthy. Isn't it it sad to see the wealthy besieged by impoverished and hungry, out of work miscreants. First, these lazy, no account rabble cause the biggest economic disaster since The Great Depression and now they want morsels from the mega well off. Well kudos to Tiny Steve for helping us see the true spirit of America as seen by the very wealthy. God Bless Tiny Steve and God Help Us All.
If you view lobster or crab as only fit for people who can pay for it, remember the early indentured servants during colonial times in this country objected to eating lobster and shellfish everyday so much they pushed their employers to include in contracts that they wouldn't be subjected to daily lobster. If crab and lobster are on sale, why not eat it? While serving on active duty, I had to rely on the food bank on base to feed my family. Nothing wrong with a cooperative effort to feed kids.
Conservatives focus on whether buying lobster is food stamp fraud. What about conservative Governor Rick's Scott appointee Hunting Deutch, who drew unemployment while taking multiple trips to Europe!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/04/hunting-deutsch-florida-jobs-re...
I work for a Head Start program in San Antonio, TX where many of the families we serve are on other governmental assistance programs. My goal is to develop these families so that they are able to gain education goals and strive to develop thier families so that they are no longer part of that poverty level qualifying for programs such as food stamps and can provide for their families. The majority of these families are disinterested in bettering themselves and do not want to work, gain skills or education because it is so easy to live on food stamps, medicaid, social security benefits for their "disabled" child.
Why does Stephen Moore put his opinion out there as an expert when he has not even bothered to review the facts of the program. And he seems perfectly willing to ignore other facts.
Also, before we go condemning food purchases at gas stations, convenience stores, or pharmacies, try finding food in neighborhood without a grocery store. Not everyone has a car and not everyone can haul grocery bags for an hour or more on sporadic bus routes.
I was a Food Stamp Supervisor for 6 years in and the high fraud issue was due to agency error not the client taking the Food Stamps. The workers had too high of case loads and could not manage them. Also, I am currently in social work and the churches are not and have never stepped up to meet this need.
All welfare programs are being abused in the extreme. Lets just face facts and accept that our society has largely become weak, dependent and intellectually immature.
I am a retired teacher, who taught in a school district in a major city where inner city children were bused into an affluent neighborhood. Yes, the children got free breakfast and lunch. They were also hungry. They came to school hungry. When they went home, nothing to eat until their free breakfast the next morning. Also these inner city neighborhoods do not have access to grocery stores and must buy at local stores, that do not carry healthy foods. The prices are also very high.
What about the cost of day care for children? If you are a single parent, and have even 1 child, the money that goes toward their care takes such a huge chunk out of a household budget. How can you ask parents to work when they are not paid a living wage and when there is no sliding scale in many communities for child care?
And the comment that non-profits should be the ones taking care of those who are struggling is a fundamentally broken perspective of the responsibility of our government. I feel that the most recent election has shown very clearly that this conservative position has been voted DOWN by the American people.
Suggestion: Mr. Moore - I'd challenge you to be real and leave your comfortable job and home for 4 weeks with $100 in your pocket and see what you will discover. Oh yes, you won't be able to use your current resume and your current clothes - we will outfit you at Savers, Goodwill, or Salvation Army.
I'm so for eliminating fraud at all levels (wall street, banks, dod, oil industry) but the elimination of SNAP will strave many a child.
I am a retired teacher, who taught in a school district in a major city where inner city children were bused into an affluent neighborhood. Yes, the children got free breakfast and lunch. They were also hungry. They came to school hungry. When they went home, nothing to eat until their free breakfast the next morning. Also these inner city neighborhoods do not have access to grocery stores and must buy at local stores, that do not carry healthy foods. The prices are also very high.
I worked with people who collected food stamps for years and I found it upsetting that many people had absolutely no cooking skills and rarely considered cooking at all. For too many people cooking is done in the microwave.
SNAP should encourage cooking. Frozen dinners, soda, cookies, chips, etc. should be restricted. This would address both the hunger and the obesity problems.
Mr. Moore's opinion is far from reality. I have volunteered at a homeless shelter and an active member of my church. Contrary to conservatist's opinion the private sector such as my church and the churches in my area cannot handle the abundant need without government help in administering a program. My church has to turn people away now! Our church would have to depend on government money to hire people to work this.
I know of people who cannot find a job because they have a criminal record, no one hires these people, how are they to survive?
There are many people who work and are needy, there are many seniors who cannot work, or mothers who have children to care for. Contrary to Mr. Moore's opinions some needy people do not know of these benefits, so they go hungry, why do we want people to go hungry. Obesity and hunger are two different things. obesity is a function of bad eating habits, cheap food is high in calories low in nutritional value but is readily available. Good food is not readily available on every food corner.
I worked with people who collected food stamps for years and I found it upsetting that many people had absolutely no cooking skills and rarely considered cooking at all. For too many people cooking is done in the microwave.
SNAP should encourage cooking. Frozen dinners, soda, cookies, chips, etc. should be restricted. This would address both the hunger and the obesity problems.
Stephen Moore is a right wing hack, see my leading comment on his publishing history, which includes a 2004 gem, "Bullish on Bush:How Bush's Owenership Society will make America Stronger" - note the appropriate misspelling, 'owe' for 'own' at the Amazon page for his book. Cleverly done and sums up the GOP swindlers scam on how to loot the Treasury and destroy the economy. They own, we owe. Moore is now at Murdoch's Wall Street Journal on the editorial page, 'nuff said.