How Food Programs Helped Me Thrive

Stephanie Hogenson

This is the final in a series of three blogs on Food Support. Food Support is Minnesota’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but is known on the streets as “food stamps.”  The first blog featured the history of Food Support and its economic boost to communities and the second analyzed recent and proposed Food Support legislation.

After returning home from sports practice in high school, I opened the fridge, and let out a big sigh when I saw upside down condiment bottles and a sack of potatoes. “I’m staaarrrving,” I whined (A tremendous overstatement). Then I opened it again and found the cake frosting tagged by a food shelf volunteer with a number in Sharpie on the lid. I grabbed a big spoon and scooped the frosting in my mouth to tide me over before my dad’s famous cut up hot dog and potato dinner – a staple meal at the end of the month in my household growing up.

While I never was actually starving, I do know what it’s like to go to bed feeling hungry. Still, I rarely missed a meal when I was growing up – thanks mostly to my caring and creative parents who stretched our food budget, but also to Food Support, the School Meal Program, WIC, generous family, and food shelves. My parents worked hard to ensure my brother and I finished all our vegetables, drank a glass of milk with nearly every meal, and didn’t eat too many sweets (my mom scolded me after eating the scoop of frosting). But without the assistance of these programs, my parents’ care and creativity wouldn’t have sufficed – meaning worse outcomes in school, increased risk of health problems, and increased antisocial behavior, all of these at a greater cost to taxpayers and, of course, my future.

Like many families that turn to assistance to supplement their income while they work low-wage jobs, my family bounced on and off public work support programs. As a baby and young child, my mom received WIC vouchers so she could afford fresh fruits and vegetables, along with formula. As I grew up, we were on and off Food Support, then called food stamps. I remember my parents using the benefits at the grocery store to purchase meat, vegetables, fruit, and of course the occasional pizza. My parents always served some sort of meat, potato, vegetable and a glass of milk with each meal by working wonders with their food budget and low wages. My mom reminds me that it always worked out and “We did everything to make the food stretch.” They provide great advice on eating healthy on a tight budget that I now put to use.

As a teenager, after both my parents no longer could work due to disability, we lived on a fixed income that was just over the income guidelines for food stamps at the time. Also, we were kicked off health care programs and food stamps for the rest of the time I lived at home after my mom received a few thousand dollars in inheritance. We never reenrolled. Now we would have been eligible for Food Support because of the increased income guidelines and elimination of the asset test that went into effect November 1, 2010. This would have allowed us to eat healthier, fresher foods throughout the whole month, and not just right after payday. Moreover, being on Food Support would have created room in our basic needs budget so that we could still afford rent, the energy bill, and transportation costs when an unexpected flat tire or medical expense popped up. Still my parents always put some sort of meal on the table, and we were blessed because many families, particularly in rural Minnesota, don’t always have access like we did to generous relatives and plethora of food shelves that are in the Twin Cities.

One program my brother and I were always enrolled in is the School Meal Program. Back then school meals cost about $1.80 per meal, so for two children to eat lunch for a month that saved at least $72 per month for my parents. Not to mention we received free breakfast, which created savings in breakfast food and milk. I knew I could always rely on a healthy, hearty meal at school. To get on this program my parents never had to worry about their assets, complex application or frequent recertification forms. The one-page application that requires no verification unless requested makes it simple for children to get the needed benefit. This simplified process should be used as a model to simplify the other programs not only as a benefit to needy families, but also as a benefit to county workers and the state budget.

I am proud to now work daily to enroll more families in Food Support, WIC, and the School Meal Program, along with other public programs and tax credits. I know children in families like mine need these programs not only to be fed, but to pay better attention in school, be healthier and have energy to seek opportunities. I know this investment not only benefits families, but also communities (see previous blog), and reduces future government spending to reverse long-term adverse effects of child hunger. My experience is one of many that demonstrates how smart investments like Food Support, WIC, and the School Meal Program help our children and communities thrive.

Sources:

Hunger Free Minnesota – Cost/Benefit Hunger Impact Study