As someone who grew up in a single-parent family and received SNAP benefits (called Food Stamps in the 70s) as well as Medicaid (I had a green card that allowed me to obtain free medical and dental services, often in facilities that looked questionable), I can say with confidence not everyone is gaming the system. Although I'm sure not every recipient feels this way, I have clear memories of embarrassment and shame that we were receiving assistance from the government. No one else knew it, but it was enough that I knew it. It profoundly shaped my outlook on life. All to say there are sometimes factors in play that are unseen by people on polar opposites of an issue. May we be the generous hands and feet of Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit to give when we are called to do so. Thank you, as always, for the thoughtful post Craig!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Catherine. Growing up in rural Illinois, I knew plenty of families who received food stamps and so-called “free and reduced lunches,” but I didn’t really understand any of that as a kid.
Later, however, Megan and I benefited from WIC for several years while we were raising support (there were multiple years we were below the poverty line). We also went on Medicaid for the first year or so of seminary in St. Louis until I was able to get a job with insurance.
Despite all that, it wasn’t until we did foster care and received a small stipend for each of our foster kids that we noticed judgment from others. Megan wrote about one of those particular experiences here: https://halfpinthouse.com/2013/01/18/quick-to-judge/
Let’s be better “third-way” thinkers and doers! Thanks Craig!
As someone who grew up in a single-parent family and received SNAP benefits (called Food Stamps in the 70s) as well as Medicaid (I had a green card that allowed me to obtain free medical and dental services, often in facilities that looked questionable), I can say with confidence not everyone is gaming the system. Although I'm sure not every recipient feels this way, I have clear memories of embarrassment and shame that we were receiving assistance from the government. No one else knew it, but it was enough that I knew it. It profoundly shaped my outlook on life. All to say there are sometimes factors in play that are unseen by people on polar opposites of an issue. May we be the generous hands and feet of Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit to give when we are called to do so. Thank you, as always, for the thoughtful post Craig!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Catherine. Growing up in rural Illinois, I knew plenty of families who received food stamps and so-called “free and reduced lunches,” but I didn’t really understand any of that as a kid.
Later, however, Megan and I benefited from WIC for several years while we were raising support (there were multiple years we were below the poverty line). We also went on Medicaid for the first year or so of seminary in St. Louis until I was able to get a job with insurance.
Despite all that, it wasn’t until we did foster care and received a small stipend for each of our foster kids that we noticed judgment from others. Megan wrote about one of those particular experiences here: https://halfpinthouse.com/2013/01/18/quick-to-judge/