The "trickle down theory" and hungry Americans...?

Question

I have a friend that is drawing their SSDI (the money they paid to disability insurance during the decades they worked) The SSDI is a very small amount and it barely covers the cost of housing and other necessary monthly expenses. They receive $33 a month in food stamps and they were working part time until a physical injury made it impossible to do so. They borrowed a car and gas money and went to food banks but were turned away for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was having no children in the household.

My question is where can people get assistance with food? If they don't pay their rent or utilities they will be homeless. Keep in mind that they have no transportation and they also have many medical appointments that coincide with food banks limited hours.

Thanks

Peace.

Answer 1

Hunger in America is a tragic fact. A recent report states that at least 34 millions experienced severe hunger this year. Another report, a few years ago, documented that one in four children goes to bed hungry every day.

In recent decades, private "food banks" have arisen - some supported by very small public appropriations, but most operating on a purely private and voluntary basis. This year, food banks report that they have been increasingly stretched both by ballooning need (the American economy does NOT really include everyone), and by diminishing donations.

While considerable wealth is being accumulated by a small percentage of Americans, the country is really growing poorer. And hunger is one of the most scandalous and urgent reflections of this.

The experience recounted in the question highlights one of the problems of reliance on private charity for what is becoming a significant public need. Thank goodness for those private services now, but these are limited operations and often set very restrictive rules. People with disabilities may not qualify because the food bank operators think those people should just "get a job." People who do not belong to a church sponsoring the food bank may be excluded. And childless couples may be considered ineligible because the banks wish to support only families with youngsters.

These kinds of decisions are all within the right of the voluntary food banks, and it is inappropriate to criticize them for it. As noted, thank goodness the food banks are around at all.

But this condition highlights the growing necessity for an impartial, nationwide program of food distribution to those in need. The United States of America is still a major net food EXPORTER - and yet her people are hungry. Some sectors of farming and food production actually DESTROY millions of pounds of foodstuffs just to keep market prices high. In others, the Federal government buys substantial shares of the food production and ships it overseas for foreign aid, again to support market price levels.

While the right of the private food banks to choose whom they wish to serve should not be disputed, a national program should not be able to impose some of the same (and sometimes petty, personal judgements) limits on recipients. Back in the 1960's, one of the most important reforms of welfare programs was to take it out of the hands of community organizations and establish a uniform standard. Tales of welfare denial because the local officials had harsh judgements about the recipients abounded until those reforms. In those times, there were locals who abused their authority to deny deserving applicants for personal reasons of revenge.

It's time to create a national food bank that is NOT the semi-privatized structure of food stamps. The system of eligibility is already in place. The country already has the capacity to feed our hungry people.

What we need now is awareness and will.

Write the Presidential candidates you favor about this, get them to pay attention. It is a shame and a scandal that more than 10% of our national population experiences extreme hunger, and at least a fourth of our children.

Answer 2

It is difficult to find assistance. I keep hearing stories like this, and I am sorry to hear about your friends. With thousands of families losing their homes, there is not enough help available for everyone, so I am not surprised charities are discriminating in favor of people with young children. That is the same thing that happens in third world countries when food banks are low because children suffer developmental problems if the are malnourished. But it's the Christmas season now, so donations will be up, and it may get easier for them to find food. I hope they are members of a church which receives federal dollars for its faith-based charities and they can get some help there. I know it is difficult to keep asking for help after you have been turned down repeatedly, especially when you have worked hard all your life and have done all the the things society has expected you to do.

Answer 3

Charity begins with each of us as individuals..... so (and I say this is all gentleness) when was the last time you helped your friend with a meal or gas or transportation or housing or advocacy with medical care? Is this "they" just your friend, your friend and their family, or the larger "they" of a collective?

You can't do everything, but you can do something -- even if it's just to pick up the phone and find out what's locally available. Try your local churches (many have food pantries, discretionary money for handouts, and directories for local assistance programs).

Answer 4

using fact this is extremely concern-free to control minds of yank human beings. regrettably many human beings nevertheless belive each and all the bull which their government tells them without even thinking or thinking. this is extensively time-venerated international that Bush, Cheney and Republican-Neocons-Fascists are liars and hypocrites.. This time they % to type unfavorable public opinion in the direction of Russia and to safeguard aggressive movements of their puppet-Georgia.

Answer 5

Trickle down means that for your friend to get assistance he needs to be at the top/rich. Otherwise he will get the usual republican response, get a job!

Answer 6

Government has the state responsibility to take care of its people. The only problem is how can this be enforced if the officials do not want to take the responsibility.

Answer 7

I had a friend in this situation before. All you can do is tough it out untill they can work again, or go to a public official and tell them about what's happening.

Answer 8

The trickle down works just as intended by the republicans....if you are poor....they trickle on you

Answer 9

they need to open the faucet a little more.