good use of the $2000 FEMA/Red Cross debit card
Here is a website you can go to about giving for the disaster relief if you are opposed to the Red Cross or Salvation Army. http://www.convoyofhope.org Quote: Although thousands of evacuees are still in need of financial help, questions are being raised about how some of them are spending money on debit cards they received from the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency, KPRC Local 2 reported Tuesday. Some employees at the Galleria said they saw storm victims using the debit cards to buy expensive gifts, like $250 bracelet, instead of on food or housing. "I was upset because I donated money like a lot of people, and I think it should have just strictly been used for food and clothing and necessities ? not luxury items that, I mean, I can't even afford," a Galleria employee, who asked to not be identified, told KPRC Local 2. The Red Cross said it is aware of the problem but admitted that it cannot control where the money is spent. |
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| I guess that the way I look at it, if someone just lost EVERYTHING THEY owned from a lifetime a living and went through the hell of Katrina and a $250.00 bracelet gave them a moment of pleasure, who am I to question that? It's hard not to be judgemental and none of us would want to think that our hard earned money would be used for drugs or frivalous things but all we can do is give from the heart and KNOW that in most cases it will be spent for the intended purpose.
It's kinda like when I'm in the grocery store behind someone with food stamps and they are buying cuts of meat or luxury food items that my budget won't allow; I have to force myself to look at the big picture and realize that my life is better than that!! I have never been a big supporter of the Red Cross, mainly because of the amount of money that goes to administrative expenses. I'd much rather find a family in need and go buy them a weeks worth of groceries and for the most part have been able to do "things like that" over the years. But when faced with something the magnitude of Katrina it becomes overwhelming to even know where to begin!!! |
Tasker's Mom wrote: It's kinda like when I'm in the grocery store behind someone with food stamps and they are buying cuts of meat or luxury food items that my budget won't allow; I have to force myself to look at the big picture and realize that my life is better than that!!
But why is your life better than that? Think about that. You worked hard, went to school got a job and made a life for yourself. Yes, things happen that make for rough times but why should my tax dollars allow people to buy things that I can't afford on the money I work for. Welfare should NOT be a lifestyle, it should be temporary until you can get your life on track. It's amazing how people can't get jobs but they're crafty enough to stay on welfare far beyond the time allowed. Yes, there's a certain amount of charity that is fair to bestow on people but the people who lost everything, as well as poor people in general, have to be empowered to make their lives better themselves. Pacifing with expensive gifts ins't going to make their lives any better in the longrun. |
| I guess what I ment was that maybe that steak is the only good thing they have in their life...... I agree, it is all very frustrating and I get just as angry as the next person when I see the welfare person with the cigarettes and beer. But, what IS the answer? |
| What is interesting to me is seeing the ones who were already homeless (living under a bridge) complaining that the new apt/trailer they were put in is too close to their neighbors place. Wow.
I will say we see several families going through the grocery lines where we are that do use the card for the right reasons. Looking into their basket, I just see essentials (cereal for the kids, meat, soap, water, etc). Just a shame knowing that the money donated to red cross by "US" is going to drugs and a bracelet. Though I see your point, I have trouble seeing why this person even needed the card if they can spare $250 of their cash for a bracelet. I understand a few bucks for a toy for their kid or a nice suit for a job interview. |
| I don't give to the Red Cross because I've never agreed with how they appropriate money. I usually give the Unicef and America's Second Harvest.
Unicef is taking donations for Katrina--something they've never done before for help on US soil. |
| I don't give to the Red Cross either, based on this type of story. And this time, I was beginning to feel bad and that I was the only one not giving to them, but stories like this make me realize that my instincts are correct and that donating through different venues is a better choice for me. Not that the Red Cross isn't good--they mean well and do a lot of good, but I am not a rich girl (and even if I was) I want to know for sure what my hard earned money is helping with... |
| I know I am out of the loop in this subject, but... the original post was
about using rescue money for drugs- correct? How does that equate to buying an expensive cut of meat with food stamps? I'm sorry, but I DO stand in judgement if we are talking about drugs. In that case we are no longer talking about someones personal choice of meat cut or any other 'preference' where the food stamp money goes. It is not an option for the relief money to be used for drugs - or any other illegal thing, regardless of how much pleasure it may bring. I know these people have lost everything. What possible good can come from using the money the relief money for drugs?! Now, that said, I have no idea how to know if the report was real or if it has actually happened. It could be that this is just one more sensational story to come out of the bowels of the press. I tend not to believe much of anything anymore. You only have to be the victim of an incorrect and sensationalized story once to figure out that the majority of what they feed us is crap one way or another. Shellie |
Shellie wrote: I know I am out of the loop in this subject, but... the original post was
about using rescue money for drugs- correct? How does that equate to buying an expensive cut of meat with food stamps? I'm sorry, but I DO stand in judgement if we are talking about drugs. In that case we are no longer talking about someones personal choice of meat cut or any other 'preference' where the food stamp money goes. It is not an option for the relief money to be used for drugs - or any other illegal thing, regardless of how much pleasure it may bring. I know these people have lost everything. What possible good can come from using the money the relief money for drugs?! Shellie It was a comparison being made to the misuse of money, either being given by the government or elsewhere, to aid in helping anyone since the problem of government/welfare/relief funds is not isolated to victims of Katrina. It's not a preference as to where the money goes, but if you're given $100 in food stamps and you buy 4 really good steaks and that's your money for the week, then maybe you shouldn't be allowed to manage your own money and you should be restricted in what you can buy. Same goes for the hurricane victims. I'm sure not everyone needs big brother telling them what to buy, but they should be restricted to necessities and/or non-luxury items. Most of these people aren't poor because they're good with money. |
| I think I got that.
It is the difference between being really bad at money managing and being subhuman- IMO In my mind, the only commonality to someone buying drugs with relief money (aside from the obvious misuse of $) is that in neither case did they earn the money. But then these were people who were "too poor" to leave the area to begin with. My husband just now pointed out that "many of those people have never seen that many 0s - of course they didn't know what to do with it!" Shellie |
| My favorite was being in line behind someone using food stamps, that was badgering the cashier about "helping them out". So they could use their food stamps to buy something totally off the wall and when she said no (Um, hello, the registers keep that track this sort of thing.) They got all huffy and finished their order. I was then able to spot them in the parking lot loading all 57 (or so) children into an Escalade. AN ESCALADE people! And it wasn't even the basic model. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR |
| No one ever knows for sure what they would or wouldn't do in any situation until they're actually in it.
First, I'd like to comment on the watch and drugs. Do we know for sure that the watch was purchased for selfish purposes? No, it's not food or clothing, but maybe someone they know had a watch like that that someone had given to them, one with sentimental value. The last gift purchased by Grandpa for Grandma on her birthday just before he died. Grandma had it in her hand, can't remember where she laid it, so you buy another one, since she won't know the differance. But the replacement will put her mind at ease. What would be wrong with making a little old lady happy by telling her you found it. I know its a long shot maybe, but a least give them the benefit of the doubt until you "know" for sure. The drugs, are we certain they know the story behind the scenes? There's a lot of people without medication. Maybe some are purchasing pain medication from people they know. The addicts or those seeking pleasure drugs, well, they can't break the addiction over night just because a hurricane went through town, so..............I feel for them as well, they need help. The comments about food stamps and controlling what people can purchase are also misunderstandings. People don't have to look for ways to stay on welfare. Investigate the system and you'll find that once they get on it, the rules and regulations for recieving the assistance makes it very difficult for those wanting off to get off. People you see using food stamps for steaks and luxury food items are probably the family members of those on the food stamps. The products you get with the stamps are limited. You're not allowed the luxury of toilet paper unless you have cash of your own. So alot of those folks swap stamps for cash from family and friends to have the cash for whatever. Cars and clothes of the welfare and food stamp recipients: One thing that a lot of people tend to overlook is that a person may be middle income one day and over night become needy. Does society expect them to trash the car they have and tear holes in their clothes? Just stop and think about all sides before you judge someone else's actions. There really may be some logic to it. NOT always though. This is the short version of what I'm trying to say so please try to read between the lines. jmpo |
| I hate interfere here, but you are hoping for the best in a situation
where 90% of the time, that really isn't the case. I don't think any of us would complain or be angry with someone who has suddenly come on hard times, but lets be realistic here. Where I live you are allowed TP on assistance. It isn't a want - it is a need. I realize there are exceptions - as I stated that in my first post. I think we all know there are exceptions. That wasn't what I was talking about. As for the drug addict who is still addicted - hate it for em. They will not get my sympathy. They are part of the problem. Sorry if I step on toes with that one, but as far as I am concerned it is the truth. My opinion doesn't come without experience. There are many people on assistance of one sort or another. I have no problem with helping someone get back on their feet. We are not all lucky enough to have never needed a hand. I oppose a hand out. I also know there are many who expect this assistance, who feel they are owed something and think nothing of abusing an overloaded system. I don't need to know every situation to know that not all these folks are the exception. I wish all people were that honest. I wish all people were that good. Shellie |
| Yes, I hope for the best and I hope you're wrong, but that doesn't mean we're on opposing sides. My hope is that the best will surface in all situations, but if it doesn't, I hope it's only 10% of the time, not 90%. And, with that, how do we know who belongs in which catagory? Judge not, lest ye be judged.
We are too quick to judge one another in normal situations, but at a time such as this, is it too much to overlook the possible character flaws of a few in order to enhance the positive of many? The news coverage of the negative affects the continuance of the positive. I don't need to know any of the situations individualy to know that regardless of whether an addict is spending part of the money on drugs or not, there's probably others in his/her family that are benefiting from the remainder of that donation. That's my hope, the hope for the world. Most people are good. Some have had more breaks than others, some have been with the "right" crowd, while others made the mistake of getting caught up into things wicked and evil. If everyone was perfect we'd have no need to be fogiven, no need for the Lord of our Salvation. He is just to forgive, all we have to do is ask. A pat on the back, a word of concern, a helping hand, what's that to what He has given us. Forgive your brother and love one another. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. What a wonderful world this would be if we all treated one another the way we want to be treated. Wow! What a differance that would make!!! I hope everyone's situation works out for the best. I hope everyone that is still separated are reunited soon. I hope all the animals, (especially the little sheepies) are placed with their families soon. |
| My favorite was being in line behind someone using food stamps, that was badgering the cashier about "helping them out". So they could use their food stamps to buy something totally off the wall and when she said no (Um, hello, the registers keep that track this sort of thing.) They got all huffy and finished their order. I was then able to spot them in the parking lot loading all 57 (or so) children into an Escalade. AN ESCALADE people! And it wasn't even the basic model. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
That happens all the time here. One of the morning radio DJ's got word that the Louis Vitton store in Buckhead had a few "customers" with the FEMA debit card. One person bought a $800.00 purse (instead on food?). Now, lot a lot of people lost everything....and if that makes there day, so be it. Not my choice, but luckily, I am not in that situation. I could be one day...when I did evacuted the one time last year, I took next to nothing because I thought that I would be able to get to my home! I'll tell you one thing, I would never leave without Sam. In fact, our county has opened the first animal shelter in the area because they know now that there are many people who WILL NOT leave with out their pets. |
| I've worked at a grocery store for the past 9 years. It's amazing how some people budget their money. One food stamp customer after paying for food items spent $106 in alcohol because it was a good sale. IMHO if you can spend that much in booze you could by your 2 kids food and save the stamps for someone who need it more. I turned one person in because they had EBT cards from 2 states and used both in one order.
As for the ARC debit card our store is still trying to figure out how to not charge these people tax on there orders, but they are buying necessities. cher |
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