I had a hectic day yesterday...by the time my doctor's appointment was done (originally scheduled for 11 a.m. and I finally saw a doctor at 4:45) I had no desire to cook anything.
So I stopped by a Papa Murphy's store...one that I haven't ever stopped at before. And large as life in the window was a sign that read "We Gladly Accept Food Stamps" ...
...
...
That's me taking two and three looks to make sure I'm reading it correctly. Not just accepting, but Gladly accepting.
My tax dollars are going toward pizza? Seriously? Take out pizza???
Maybe it's just me...but if you're poor enough to qualify for food stamps maybe you should have higher priorities than getting pizza for dinner. It's certainly not economical, nor is it all that healthy.
Plus you can buy a large pizza at the grocery store, which also accepts food stamps, for $5 or less. And they're not too bad. Sometimes they're on sale and have coupons so they're even cheaper. My favorite pizza is $1.25 (Totino's Canadian Bacon...yummy!).
Why do tax dollars support take out pizza? Does McDonald's also accept food stamps and I missed the sign?
I find it highly inappropriate. If I want to buy pizza with my own hard EARNED money that is my right. Someone on food stamps should not have that same right...they aren't earning anything. They're taking - based on my (and other productive members of society) earnings!
[Yes, I know...some people absolutely need food stamps to survive...but if they're that hard up then they really shouldn't be buying take out pizza, should they?]
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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42 comments:
Kind of a slap in the face, ain't it?
I agree..thats like a cigarette store saying "We proudly take food stamps"
I don't much care about Pizza on food stamps, considering that half the country will be on them starting about next Thursday or so considering the way the economy is going.
I don't get here near enough, dunno why. I just want you to know that we here at the poorfarm are praying for you and the baby.
Thank you Peter!!!! =)
I qualified for food stamps at one point but I never did apply for them. I thought people used to have more pride. My great grandmother was horrified to have to take government cheese during the Depression. People should be more ashamed I think.
Not only can food stamps buy Papa Murphy's pizza - I think I'll go down there in just a minute and use mine just for that - but they're also good for organic, local produce at the farmer's market (at least here in Oregon), as well as high quality beef and lamb. That's right, being poor doesn't mean you have to eat crappy food. And you're against this?
Papa Murphy's is advertising that they take food stamps because many people are unaware of that fact, and informing them of this fact may lead them to spend some of their food stamps at Papa Murphy's.
To domesticgoddess - are cigarettes really on par with pizza? That was a joke, I know. For many families, including those on a budget, pizza is once-a-week expectation. Papa Murphy's allows families on hard times - or single guys, like me - to keep eating the food they love, and not some frozen attempt at the same. (Grocery store pizzas are not appreciably cheaper than Papa Murphy's, and the quality simply does not compare)
As far as shame, I have none, and see no purpose for it.
Vanrooster...I think it's great to allow food stamps for healthy food. I'm all for that. Pizza is not a necessity & it seems ridiculous to allow food stamps for pre-made pizza. My brother is on food stamps & I certainly don't think he should spend them on pizza. He needs to buy basics like milk and bread which is what food stamps s/b for.
Respectfully,
I am on food stamps because I work as an Americorps Volunteer. Yep, I volunteer full time 40-50 hours a week, making a living stipend that comes to about $3.50/hr. So, I qualify for food stamps. And I love pizza. I don't see anything wrong with that. Poor people sometimes like to indulge, too. What if someone on food stamps had a kid with a birthday? Couldn't they get them a pizza with a clear conscience. Believe me, they don't give you enough food stamps to get pizza very often!
PS: I think what's more rediculous and important is that you can use food stamps for pop and candy!
Jessica...I think it's great that you work with Americorp, but that's a choice you've made and I see no reason why my tax dollars should support you eating pizza (agree with you on the candy/pop thing...I see people buying all kinds of horrible for them things with Food stamp cards). If you want to indulge, get a different job. You're making sacrifices and I get that, but it's not my job to support those if I don't want to. If I want to support a charity I should be able to send my money directly...food stamps are paid for with tax dollars for which I have no choice but to pay. And they should be for people who are destitute, unable to work due to illness/mental disease, etc. Not someone who is CHOOSING to volunteer and make no money.
Pizza is not actually that bad if you make good choices with the toppings chosen. As for Papa Murphys accepting food stamps---this is due to the fact that the pizza is uncooked at the time of purchase.
People make me sick saying those of us should be a shamed of yourself having to be on food stamps. Well My husband had a great paying job mining and he almost died a couple of times and i don't hear people saying crap about it as long as they get what they needed. We have two kids we couldn't even afford ramen. My husband paid taxes. And this whole pizza thing its no different then going and buying premade pizza @ walmart. you have to make it @ home! Some people don't deserve it.
PR...I didn't know that. Good to know.
bvw101...please re-read my post. I never said anyone should be ashamed of themselves just for being on food stamps. I do think there should be a stigma to it because many people take advantage of it. But those who NEED it, truly and desperately NEED it, should not feel ashamed but should work to get off of them eventually. If you NEED food stamps in order to feed your family then that is reality and it is OK! I don't mind supporting people in NEED...though I'd rather do it through charity than government.
That said, if you can't afford Ramen, what the hell are you doing buying a pizza!?!?! Make good choices with food stamps and to me that doesn't include eating pizza from Papa Murphy's...but that's just me.
Its sad that you feel that way. I used to feel the same way. Until I lost my low wage job. I have no income, been looking for a job daily to no avail.
I hate to use my link card, but if I want to eat, I have too.
Another thing is you don't get much money for food. Food that is heathly for you is usually very expensive. I am usually stuck eating hot dogs and mac and cheese. I would love to have a job. I didn't choose to lose my job. I did everything in my power to keep it.
Life happens, and sometimes u need to survive. That is what they are there for. I pray you never are in this situation. I think it is great that a pizza chain offers this for people that would enjoy a pizza once in a blue moon
Well, I disagree. I think that the good Lord will take care of people abusing it, but I for one am happy that a single mom who is broke and working the graveyard shift at Walmart who has four kids to support can take her kids for a pizza or happy meal every now and then. Or that a pregnant mother who had to quit her job because her doc put her on bed rest can order a pizza to her home. Who cares? It's not hurting anyone. And we all take tax dollars at some point in our lives.
I hope all of you complaining get laid off as the sole income provider for your family and then have other people tell you how to spend your food budget. You can't have it both ways. Who are you to dictate my food budget, where is the individual freedom in that. Get off your high horse and stay out of my business. I paid in taxes for the last 25 years, if I want a pizza, its my tax money too.
The Papa Murphy's in my home town in Indiana went out of business after two months. I figured they were awful. Then I moved to California and actually ate one. They are good, and inexpensive. A lot of people here get food stamps, not like Indiana, and they go to Papa Murphy's often. I am thinking of buying a franchise in an area where many people get stamps. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em,and this is from someone who worked and saved my whole life so I can do this. The times they are a'changing.
I'm not poor, but I'm a single mother who needs a little extra help! But that doesn't mean that "poor" people don't deserve a pizza once in awhile..maybe you should think about who you might be offending before you openly talk about these things..kind of hurtful. Not all "poor" people don't have their priorities straight.
I was in the Army serving my country proudly until i had a baby and chose to be discharged because i did not want to deploy 2 months after she was born (where i would be right now). Im trying hard to raise my baby girl alone and get by, im not taking your hard earned money...i work hard too! Its not easy being a single mom. Who are you to tell me i dont deserve a decent pizza once in awhile...? I hate frozen pizza..eww. Please quit being soo ignorant..put yourself in my shoes,if thats possible. You dont deserve pizza more than me...its pizza :/
Well I was in the Army for 4years, deployed to Iraq, just got out last year and my husband is in the Army now DEPLOYED NOW to Iraq and we have 6 children and I have food stamps because believe it or not military really doesnt get paid enough....and if I wana buy a pizza with em I WILL!!!! me and my husband have paid our taxes and my husband STILL IS AND putting his life on the line! Get over yourselves and think a little more outside the box. When I was a single mother IN THE ARMY NOT getting child support I made $100 too much for food stamps because they include the taxes taken out in my INCOME!!!! We were hungry! So if my kids want pizza or candy then so be it cause they went many years with a mom in the army, never around, deploying! I understand I am probly an exception but none of us really can say whats right and wrong if you're not the one living the life.
I have spent all of my life paying taxes and working hard to support my family. When the job market crashed, I was on the back end of recovering from ACL replacement surgery due to a work related injury. Incidently, I spent almost a full year trying to get a job. I eventually had to take a job making less than worker's comp and unemployment. We went through everything we had to stay alive. At the lowest point, we had to accept food stamps and temporary assistance for needy families. If I would have known then that I could have gotten a pizza at Pappa Murphy's, then I would have been first in line. My point is this: until you people have walked a mile in my shoes, then keep your condescending judgements to yourselves. It is terrible that you can sit on your high horses and judge those less fortunate than you. Do those less fortunate than you not have the right to enjoy something as pleasurable as a fresh made pizza that someone else prepared? Oh, I guess if you're poor, then you should stay away from the luxuries others enjoy. I say, keep your noses in your own business!
shut up who cares? and the difference between buying a frozen store pizza and papa murphys is?
There's absolutely nothing unhealthy about pizza; it is a sound nutritional option. Grains, vegetables, meat. No sugar or added fats. In fact, it is healthier than the home warmed up slop many people feed their families. ...Nor is pizza some sort of luxury. People who think otherwise about those 2 points have a warped view of reality. ...And as far as buying at Papa Murphys, it is an affordable option which cannot be beat: using the $2 off coupon from the paper menu which is included with every purchase, plus the "survey code" coupon for a free cheesy bread/cinnamon bread/cookie dough from the same menu, I can treat my small family to a medium pepperoni pizza and fresh baked cookies for dessert for a grand total of $5.99. Tell me, how can anyone, spending food stamps or cash, do better than that at a grocery store? ...In fairness, I have seen abuse though, such as the people who spend $100-300 (I've seen it!) in food stamps at a time on Papa Murphys pizzas for some purpose which is obviously not feeding just their family. Most people in food stamps are not anything like that.
For reals... your going to complain that your tax dollars are going towards a papa murphy's pizza and not a frozen pizza... and some people are poor because they spend to much damn money on school and ca't hold a job because that school consumes them... so we should be punished by not getting a take out pizza because we are trying to make our future better.... ya it sucks that tax money pays for this but its not going to change so get over it... get a life... realize that your helping someone and stop being so damn stubborn!
You know what...this post really upset me. :( I am a mother of three whose husband got laid off from his job over six months ago and we are just about to lose our house. We never lived extravagantly...we bought our first home last year in March and it was a very average home. We have one car that we share to save money (always have). We had about 5 months of house payments saved up. The moment he got laid off, we started living as FRUGALLY as possible. I am a coupon shopper and a very frugal shopper. We no longer go out to eat (unless you count when someone took me out for my birthday and a couple of times I've stopped for a happy meal for the kids when we were running super late for cubscouts, but even that was always on Tuesday after 5pm--half-priced happy meal nights). I don't buy my children the clothes that they need anymore, because I can't. We can barely afford the heat our home at this point...unemployment has just run out this week. We're at the end. Unless a miracle happens, we won't be able to able to make our house payment come April 1st. It's scary. It's stressful. Mostly it's just sad. I'm sad that we are going to lose our first home after barely more than a year of living here. Blah blah blah...everyone in America's story right now, right?
Well...I guess I just don't see the harm in not only giving me a night off from cooking once in a while and just giving my kids a little special treat by stopping at Papa Murphy's for a pizza. It's probably the highlight of our weeks sometimes to just get a small taste of what life used to be like before times got hard. A little break from reality.
Don't judge until you've been in their shoes. I understand your thoughts and I can honestly say that I probably would have felt the same way as you before I was in this position. But now that I've been here...it's a totally different story.
Just wanted to get that out there...
Thanks, Ali. I appreciate your comment. This post has gotten more comments than any other one I've ever written...obviously it got posted somewhere.
Your situation is common these days and sad. But I still don't think that I as a tax payer should have to fund you going out to pizza. Yes, life is rough and unfair. I had a great grandma and grandma who went through the Great Depression. Even HAVING a car made someone wealthy back then. She literally had dirt floors.
Food stamps are meant for necessities, not treats. People in this country whine and moan about being poor when most of us know nothing about true poverty.
I still stand by my opinion. I appreciate everyone's feedback, even six months later. I still see too many fat slobs whip out their food stamp card while talking on their blue tooth head set and buying potato chips and ice cream while I'm pinching pennies to buy milk.
I see no difference in papa murphy's and a store bought frozen pizza. They both are uncooked. What exactly is different besides that you can choose your exact toppings at papa murphys?
I recently had a heart attack and have been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure... as a result, I am on short term disability but I do not make enough to pay all my bills and buy food, so I use food stamps. I am on a special diet so I have to buy healthy food and I am happy to have the resources to do so. I don't buy pizza, fresh, frozen, or otherwise.. however, I do have a problem with people thinking they can dictate what I buy. Granted, tax dollars do go towards welfare programs, but how many of YOUR tax dollars are buying my food? If your problem is that people are wasting YOUR tax dollars, tell me exactly what percentage of my foodstamps you pay and I'll buy whatever you want me to with it.. I promise :)
What I gathered from this post is that people who benefit from government programs funded by your tax dollars should not have the same freedom as those who don't need it.
Using the logic of the original poster...
Students receiving federal grants for school shouldn't have the same liberties as those who "earned" their way in. They shouldn't be able to pick their own classes, that's a right reserved for people who can AFFORD school. Their classes should be predetermined so they don't sign up for classes that I deem inappropriate. After all, I don't want to pay for some stranger to take a class like scuba diving or fencing.
Food stamps are to buy food. Point blank. Whether it be from Walmart or Papa Murphys. What's the difference?
all of you that think people going out for a pizza is wrong if they are on food stamps think about thisthey paid their taxes at one point or another and i think you all should be ashamed of yourselves.
just remember one day you will be judged and all i can say is may god have mercy on your souls.
For people that volunteer full time good for you and the people that served in the military thank you and i wish you could have more and not be in the position you are.
Not to be rude but you sound like a twit. Growing up my parents were on food stamps and both worked full time! Both paid taxes! They had bills to pay and 3 kids. They did there best to pay what they could out of pocket but they still needed help.
If someone wants to buy pizza (which is pre made in the freezers at the store as well!) I say more power to them. It's not like they are sucking down your whole paycheck. You would have had to pay taxes anyway. So really it's not up to you what they spend it on as it's not your money anymore once the government takes it. If it annoys you that bad I'm sure you can take your hard earned money and move. Otherwise I'd just stuff it because your pretty much saying poor kids who have stay at home mothers don't deserve the same treatment as hard working parents children do. Only people who go to work and pay taxes should be allowed to treat their children to pizza.
I currently recieve food stamps after falling on hard times. I recieve them to make sure there is food on the table for my children. I have worked and paid taxes for many years so YOU are not paying for my food stamps, I'm just using some of what I have paid in. And when you are "poor" you try to find any way to give your kids something, at least every once and a while, that makes you feel less poor or that feels like a treat. I don't see the difference in buying a crappy frozen pizza or a fresh made one other than the fresh made one is probably better for you. I don't see why it is your or anyone elses business how someone spends their food stamps. I truly pray you never have to swallow your pride and apply for food stamps. Most people are just a paycheck or two away from that. Just know that not every person recieving food stamps is a low life or a dead beat. I know I am an honest hard working mother who got laid off and fell on hard times that is not too prideful to admit I need help to make sure my children eat.
Papa Murphy's takes food stamps because: It is uncooked. You can't buy hot food with food stamps. But you can buy deli sandwiches, and anything uncooked, thus qualifying Papa Murphy's.
Wow.....really I am on food stamps and my husband work and we pay taxes so I think its no ones busines what I choose to spend my food stamps on. I don't tell or judge anyone on their lives and what the may or may not choose to spend their money or FOOD STAMPS on!! You know food is food that's the way I see it I don't tell you how to live or what to eat so I would appreciate if you high and mighty people(not on food stamps) would have the same consideration!!
I partially agree with the poster. I agree that food stamps should NOT be used for candy, pop, and above all, energy drinks. And I work at Circle K; ive rang up people spending $80 candy and energy drinks. It is outright abused. But pizza? I could understand if theyre buying Dominos. But Papa Murphys... And to those VERY FEW ppl that need and use food stamps responsibly, good on you.
Thanks
the original post is foolish, rife with haphazard opinions that are not well-rounded or thought out. my husband is working full-time and going to school full-time. we have a daughter and another one on the way. we have one car and shop locally. WE HAVE FOOD STAMPS BECAUSE WE NEED THEM. I 100% can guarantee you that we eat more healthfully than you - and pizza is in our diet. and sometimes we even use food stamps to buy it. and who do you know that whines about being poor? i know someone, YOU, complaining that you have to pinch pennies to buy milk. we work hard. we go to school. we are intelligent, educated, family oriented, and want to live life. WE PAY TAXES. you say that people dont know what true poverty is like? wrong. i do. and it was awful. food stamps are available to help out disabled and hard-working taxpayers who need a little boost. they are not forever. im not saying that there arent people out there working the system and cheating it, but i think for the most part people are honest. finally, there is NO pride to be won in being broke but not accepting government help - this is silly and foolish and you are only hurting yourself. these programs are available to assist you, so USE them. i'm gunna have papa murphy's tonight, ill be sure to take an extra slive of humble pie in your honor. trust me, if you ever get in a rut and you use food stamps, i hope you only buy fresh fruit and veg and no little debbies or chocolate milk or tortellini (which is basically the same thing as pizza). ugh, i am thoroughly irritated.
bitch i use my food stamps 4 ice cream snickers and soda pop
I know this is an old blog but I just happened to run across it today.
First let me start by saying I am on food stamps
Also I work full time (actually more than full time, I average over 50 hours per week)
And I go to school full time
I pay more in taxes monthly than I get in food stamps. So I could just as easily say I pay for my own food stamps. But the fact is, you don't know what your taxes pay for. The government takes tax money (yours, mine, my finance's etc) throws it all in one big pot and randomly applies it to different programs. So yeah maybe a few of your dollars pays for my food stamps, maybe not. Either way, I pay more in than I take out. So it's not for you or anyone else to day what I can spend my assistance on.
Also, the job I have, is at a non-profit organization, which gets it's money from the federal government (tax money), so that's how I get my paycheck...should you be able to tell me how to spend my paycheck since that was tax money at some point too?
I go to school and get financial aid....more tax money...do I need to get my major approved by you too?
So apparently my entire life is funded by tax money, guess you better start telling me where I can live, what I can study and what I'm allowed to eat
Also I never claim to be "poor" but I know what poverty is, I work at a homeless shelter and see people every day that own nothing more than the shirt they are wearing. My job has taught me compassion....I hope someday you learn compassion too
you are ignorant. I work, my husband works, and we get food stamps,we wouldn't be able to afford to feed our kids if it wasn't for them. We both work 30 hrs a week, and opposite shifts, if we could get a pizza one night to make our lives a little less hectic, then we should be able too. We pay taxes, so shut your mouth. We work hard, but finding a job in Michigan is nearly impossible, let alone one that pays over minimum and offers full time. We do what we have to to make ends meet. Thanks.
The reason is, because they do not actually COOK food. Your buying the fresh ingredients and taking it home, much like how you would get a take n bake from walmart.
Foodstamps allow you to buy any foods that are not hot cooked. For example, I can buy bags and bags of Halloween candy and a lobster, but I CANNOT buy a rotisserie chicken, simply because its already cooked.
You cannot use food stamps at mcdonalds or pizza hut for example.
To all those that have a problem with it ask yourself this- What if it was your elderly parent that had to use food stamps,maybe they are unable to make "homemade" stuff..what if they couldnt live off the social security and therefore accepted food support? What if your daughter got pregnant and the baby's father left them, OR DIED?? A Papa Murphys pizza is as cheap as $5..not much different then a pizza at the store..Have you noticed how cheap Unhealthy "food",targeted more at kids is compared to healthy food that needs preparation? Whose fault is that?? OURS? Maybe its the governments..Heres another question-Did you know that NON-American citizens get food support-GASP..who would you rather see "your"tax dollars go to? FYI-I am a single mother-I work part time,Dont have alot of family to help me with my 1 child-and I get food support. My parents say their tax money may as well go to help their own kids/grandkids then Non citizens that dont pay taxes.Besides Ive been paying into social security for over 10 yrs, and doubt I will ever get any of that back when I retire. So WHY should I feel ashamed??
I'm sorry if any of you disagree with me on this, but those if us that ARE on food stamps buy the cheap "not so healthy" food because some of us get a set amount each month. The healthier foods can be more expensive! Prepared foods as in HOT meals are not allowed. Papa Murphy's makes RAW cold pizzas. It's the same as a frozen pizza at Walmart. If you think your tax money is going down the drain, think again. The government is using your tax money for other things as well. So, if you aren't on food stamps and have never been on them, do NOT belittle those of us who are! Some if us are doing our best to find the high paying jobs some of you have. Did you know that a man with a Masters Degree in I/O Psychology can't even get a decent job in his career field? Jobs are going to young people who have no experience so the companies won't have to pay more than minimum wage. Sorry to say, but about 85% of this economy is on FOOD STAMPS!!!!
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