It’s Time To Stop Shaming Struggling Families For Using Food Stamps

“Yes, this is me with an EBT card. Now, hold your horses before you come at me with your political correctness.

Today I was at a local grocery store in the self-checkout and a mom with three young-ins was in front of me. She was doing her best to try to keep the three littles calm while she checked out.

After she got all her goods scanned and kept her tiny offspring as quiet as she could she went to pay… and as she did I heard a lady behind me.

With her nice LV purse, iPhone X in hand, big rocks on her fingers and wrists, nice shoes (you get the picture), she said loudly enough for everyone in line to hear, ‘Of course she’s paying with food stamps.’

The mom looked back at me in embarrassment, to which I responded, ‘Do you boo, your kids are adorable.’

Now let’s talk about me. I was that mom. I went to self-checkout in hopes no one would see me paying with an EBT card; I avoided checkout lines because what would the cashier think?

So why do I still have that card? Missing corners faded out. Because I know where I came from. When I stopped using food stamps I was so proud, I kept saying throw that thing out, but I never did. And today, I know why. It’s a constant reminder of where I was.

So, to you, fancy woman with the nice things that judges a mama with an EBT card…

No, they don’t eat steak and lobster, they ration their monthly allowance between turkey sandwiches, formula and water bottles.

Every time I buy groceries and enter my debit card into the stupid chip thing I remember when I had to swipe my EBT to feed my family.

So instead of judging a mom with a food stamp card, remember we aren’t all born at the top, some of us have to build that way.

We’re all moms out here doing the best we can.

Food stamps fed my kids while I was building a business.

Not everyone is here for a handout.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Nicole Marso of Colorado. Subscribe to our free email newsletter, Living Better—your ultimate guide for actionable insights, evidence backed advice, and captivating personal stories, propelling you forward to living a more fulfilling life.

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