I lost my job last fall. Despite all that I’d learned in professor Joel Gold’s personal finance class, I had very little savings.
On the job search, there is only so many times a person can hear “No, we’re not hiring” before getting discouraged. So I used some of my newfound free time to apply for food stamps.
I’m not disabled, I’m not elderly and I don’t have any dependents — I’m just poor.
Actually, the term “food stamp” is antiquated. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is no longer known as the Food Stamp Program, because funds are now transferred by an electronic benefit transfer card, as opposed to the previous Monopoly money-like stamps.
Since going to college can be seen as choosing to live in poverty to further an education, students only qualify for the SNAP if there’s a dependent in the household, if the student is working at least 20 hours a week or has federal work-study income. At USM, with so many non-traditional students, a lot of students probably qualify.
My roommate and I both come from blue-collar Catholic families in Lewiston. My experience applying for SNAP was reasonably hassle-free and I encouraged her to apply. Her mom however, discouraged her, implying that going on welfare was something to be ashamed of. My roommate and I have been contributing members of the work force since we were 16. It’s up to the state to decide if we’re eligible. If we meet the requirements, then we are considered to be in need.
I still haven’t figured out how I feel about welfare, and it’s reflection on society. Should the government be spending more money creating jobs? Is our wage structure system fair?
A survey from 2009 reported on nutraingredients-usa.com states that 54 percent of Americans are willing to spend more on healthier products. But what if there is no money to spend? The majority of those surveyed also say that their financial situations keeps them from actually eating healthier.
I can buy a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese for $2, but if I don’t want sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium phosphate and calcium phosphate, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, it’s going to cost a lot more to have natural, additive-free ingredients. It’s no coincidence that Save-A-Lot and Whole Foods have very different inventories and clientele.
I went to the grocery store and picked up a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh, organic, whole wheat bread — forgoing the normal haul of rice, beans and Ramen — and knew it would have no impact on my ability to pay rent, I was not only elated, but relieved.
The Department of Health and Human Services on Marginal Way in Portland is a depressing place. There are young, single parents with screaming children, people who barely speak English pleading to be seen first and the case workers seem to be on their wit’s end regardless of what time you stop by. Don’t even think about wearing headphones to drown it all out, because you’ll miss your name being called.
It’s even more depressing than the Greater Portland Metro Bus, enough to motivate me to never have to go back there. Eventually, this will be a time in my life I’ll look back on and laugh, “Remember how poor I was?” I’m excited to explore new career opportunities after I graduate — I want to have a real job.