My Food Stamp Challenge

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Thoughts on the Food Stamp Program

It seems to me that the less you work and the less you do, the more money you get for food stamps. It's like there should be a banner in front of the banner that says, "Got no job and more children? Come on down, we're here to serve you". I know a few people who are trying to make a difference in their lives. They work at least 30 hours a week, and one person goes to school and to work. The one that does both only receives $200 for a month of food stamps with 1 child. I know of another family with 3 children. She does not work nor does she go to school. She receives close to $500 in food stamps. Why? She is not trying to better herself and she does not have any disabailities. I believe people with the ability to work and don't because they just want to live off of government assistance should not be able to receive it. It's not fair that those who work everyday still can't afford to buy groceries for their family, yet can't get food stamps or don't get enough. I do think that most families who truly work, but can't meet ends they need some assistance.

Last Day of the Challenge

I have been waiting for this day to come. I have learned a lot from this challenge. I've had the opportunity to see what spending $31 on food for one week is like. I have had the opportunity to witness what it would be like to eat on a budget while everyone else around me did what they wanted. I must say that this challenge made me think smartly on what to get to eat that would last a whole week. The food that I bought did last the entire week. Although I was a little tired of eating chicken breast and broccoli everyday, it helped save money for the week. I also ate healthier and bought food that could be stretched throughout 7 days. I did experience some headaches, especially on days where I was tired of eating the same food, but I knew I had a budget and there was no way of going over it. That's just how some families live. I could have cheated and went into my pockets, but I wanted to live how those families live who don't have additional money. They only have what has been given to them. I can see the more I step into someone else's shoes, the more I appreciate everything I do have.

The time has almost come

This challenge has been a little hard, but it has helped me think about so many different things. The more I have to change my lifestyle to experience what others go through, the more I appreciate everything I have.........

Later on today, I will end my challenge. I will have the opportunity to express everything I have been through these past 7 days and how it was on that last day!!!!! I'm happy :)

Friday, October 1, 2010

Appreciative

This challenge has taught me to appreciate everything I have gone through and those who have been in my life.

Mom- Thanks for everything you have done. Thanks for your struggles. Thanks for your pain. Thanks for your high spirits. Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for your love and understanding. Thanks for your knowledge. I thank those who knew we struggled and refused to help us. I thank thank who looked at you and out of jealousy turned their backs. Many people judge us and they never sit back and look at what WE have been through. Many people judge you and don't know your story and why you are who you are today. I am thankful to be able to see you everyday because you could have gave me up or left me out in this lonely world so that you wouldn't struggle, but you didn't. you picked me up everytime I fell and brushed me off and told me to pray. I know sometimes we don't see eye to eye, but who does all the time? Who is perfect? I just want everyone to know that the woman who raised me is the best and I don't know where I would be if you weren't in my life. I love you and thank you for EVERYTHING.

Meghan-- I probably treated you bad when I was 6 years old. Who could blame me? You took my mmmy and my daddy away from me (so I thought). I love you with every inch of my heart. I keep pushing so I can be an example to you. We have been through so much and we know what we have to do to make things in our lives better. We've struggled together and we smiled together. We fought each other and we made up together. We cried together, we argued together, but most importantly we LOVE each other. I couldn't as for a better sister. You don't know what your smile does to me. Thank you sister for being you. I love you!!!!

These are the important women of my life........ We struggled together.....We're strong together......Couldn't live without them!!!!!

My Food Stamp Challenge: Taking things for granted....

Taking things for granted....

I hate when people take things for granted. My life hasn't been the easiest but I have definitely made it through. When I was only two years old, my father was shot and killed, but I never grew up without a father figure in my life. My mother met my step father when I was 3 or 4 years old. By 10 years old, my mother and step father divorced. Things for my mother started going downhill. My mother lost the job she was working at for over 14years and was out of work for about 2 years. After finalizing the divorce, it was ordered that my mother, sister, and I move so that my step father could have "his" house. We moved into my grandmother's house where her other 3 children and come of my cousins lived. The house was big... 5 bedrooms and mother-in-law wing (guest house). We stayed there until my mother found a better job and we moved out to Hickory Hill. She worked for the City of Memphis and for the next 5 years, she would be transferred 3 times trying to keep her position as a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. Our house was gorgeous. Everyone loved to come over. All my cousins and all my new friends. From 8th grade until my senior things were lovely......And then, my mother lost her job. I witnessed coming home to no lights. Boiling water on the stove to take hot baths. Lighting candles to have light in the house at night. I was miserable. I was embarrassed. Our cars got repossessed. Two cars to be exact. During the summer of the last two years of high school, I worked for Yo! Memphis, a youth program, and I had the opportunity to watch children in summer camps at the local community centers. One day, my mother came to my job teary eyed and I knew it. We had to move out of our house. We moved in with an uncle who only let us stay for a month and put us out. We then went to live with another uncle. We were at peace there because he welcomed us. BUT, it was 3 of us in one bedroom. NO PRIVACY!!!! My uncle used drugs and there were people running in and out all the time. I couldn't wait to go to college. My classmates enjoyed high school, my senior year was depressing. I couldn't work because I was a cheerleader and an honor student but I wasn't having as much fun as other people were. I was quiet. I was to myself.

Over the next course of years, I witnessed my mother really struggling. I went to college and my mother still struggled with finding a job. My mother did the best she could do. It's hard going from having everything you ever desired to being limited to things as little as food. I can say I ate crackers and cheese for lunch and dinner. I can say I laid next to my mom at night crying along with her because we didn't know where we were going or what to do. My mother has 11 brothers and sisters and I have never met any people as selfish as they are to one another. I promised myself that my sister and I would never treat each other like they do. No one tried to lend a hand to help her....and their reason was because "they are the little Miss Rich Girls"....."they think they better than us"......."they don't need no help, they make all that money".....

My step father is now trying to step back up in my life. After he married, his wife GLADLY informed him that I am not his child and it is not his responsibility to take care of me. She even went so far as to throw my college graduation invitation in the trash so he wouldn't know about it. I miss having a father. I never knew how much I missed him until these last couple of years. On my birthday, his wife called and she sang Happy Birthday. Out of the 14 years that they have been married, she has NEVER called to say happy birthday. I could barely get her to speak to me when he wasn't around. And that hurts me till this day...........

All in all, I have been through more than a child should and so has my sister. I have learned to appreciate what I have. Especially after seeing these same issues with each of my clients. I work with people who go through the same things I had to witness as a child and I encourage them. There is light on the other side of the tunnel. You just have to make a decision of whether or not you want to make it there and do what every it is that you have to do to get there. I have decided that material things are just that materials. With faith and the love of my friends and close family, I know I'm going to make it. I am going to get everything I deserve and more. I know things aren't always going to come easy, but I know prayer works and I can just call on HIS name and everything will be alright.

HOPE you enjoyed my story!!!!!