Letter: Manna Food Pantry makes a difference

wes h.
Sioux Falls, SD     11/01/2009 9:24 PM

I realize that sometimes people have a run of bad luck but I also personally know a couple able bodied people who prefer to get welfare rather than work. One American born citizen I know in his 50s has drawn welfare nearly all the 30 or so years I have known him. I've never seen him work more than a couple days at a time before quitting or being fired. Along with drawing welfare payments he and his family go to the Banquet to eat at times. Some people grew up in families drawing welfare and it just seems like the natural thing to do. It can be a hard cycle to break.

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First N.
Windom, MN     11/01/2009 7:18 PM

And this one! Go Obama and spread the wealth around to those that have NEW cars and still need help? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1XB1bmohl4&NR=1

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First N.
Windom, MN     11/01/2009 6:54 PM

This video is not only funny but TRUE! http://tiny.cc/QqfT8

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First N.
Windom, MN     11/01/2009 4:20 PM

Maybe a drug screen...that would stop a lot of it.

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T P.
11/01/2009 1:09 PM

Sorry "Alan B," only some of your posts are "qualifying rants." But Manna Food Pantry thanks you for your willingness to strengthen and feed people in our community. We're up to $80. Separately, sure it sounds great to help only people who are free of expensive, unhealthy personal addictions. In a world of utopia. But just how much perfection do you demand from people who are down on their luck before you help them out with such a basic need as eating a meal? Perhaps more than any of us, "Brian" nobly shared some personal experience and insight on the topic. The legal status point depends on whether Manna wants to screen for that. It would probably be an easy screen to do. Someone would need to persuade them of the benefit of doing so. I like the total asset valuation idea the most (total assets - debt = net worth). Net worth under certain amount = eligible for aid. Would also be a fairly simple initial and semi-annual screen to perform.

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brian g.
Fulda, MN     10/31/2009 7:03 AM

I have some personal experience with the concept of sharing the wealth and ending up with the low end of the deal while some one who appears to be less worthy is better off than me. It happens all to often. In 1994 my wife left me with two little babies. I needed a new furnace. SMOC offered me a low interest loan. I made $6.10 per hour. How was I going to pay back a loan with daycare, food, clothing, etc. ? Shortly after that I was involved with the delivery of a furnace to a SMOC job. They had a massive amount of clothing lying in piles all over the basement floor. Enormous amounts of stuff everywhere. I had to have a couple of rummage sales to help pay bills. Meanwhile the apparently less worthy got a free furnace. I was ticked. Now many years later I can look back and feel good inside because I did it myself. Was I more or less worthy than some one else? I dont know. Most people when push comes to shove will adjust their lifestyles and adapt. It is time to require people to adapt. THERE NEEDS TO BE PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND VERIFICATION OF ECONOMIC STATUS BEFORE RECEIVING BENEFITS. Including but not limited to legal status, total asset valuations, and use of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. In essence define wants and needs and dont fullfil the needs by the public dollar so the wants can be also fulfilled.

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alan b.
Quincy, IL     10/30/2009 7:01 PM

JA: stop the whining, sell the SUV and buy a clunker for a while. Can you take a bus? Walk? Bike? Oh, ya, almost forgot...."illegal immigration"...$20 BTW: Someone or something is posting my comments from one topic site to the wrong topic site.

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alan b.
Quincy, IL     10/30/2009 12:53 PM

T.P. check identification and if illegal or no identification, call immigration. $20.

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alan b.
Quincy, IL     10/30/2009 11:49 AM

A little off topic, but does everyone realize welfare recipients are now receiving FREE cell phones with 70 minutes a month?! What's next? God, er uhhh, b.o. only knows.

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alan b.
Quincy, IL     10/30/2009 11:37 AM

I used to live in Worthington, but would never move back. TP, want to know why? __________________fill in the blank and add another $20.

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