: A quick thought on shaming people who get food stamps:

My family has been on and off food stamps for the greater part of my life. I always had free lunch throughout school. I used to bring groceries home from church (against my mom’s wishes) because we just couldn’t afford food sometimes. 

When people say things like “Oh, they’re on food stamps because they’re lazy” or “People who get food stamps shouldn’t be allowed to buy name-brand foods” 

You do realize that you’re not just saying it to adults, right? Food stamps feed children too. Do you know how toxic it is to tell a child that they don’t deserve to eat because their parents receive assistance? Do you know how humiliating it can be to know that there are people who would rather you starve because they think your family inferior? I can’t count the times I went with my dad to the store and upon pulling out his EBT card, a look of shame came over him. Every time, I’d hold his hand or put my arm around him, because I wanted him to know that I was there to support him - even if he couldn’t support us completely on his own. 

Maybe there should be a type of reform, but I think it should start with the idea that poor people don’t deserve help. We need to change the attitude that all poor people are lazy, stupid, gross, and inferior. Poor people should have access to good food and programs that help families to thrive.