@shel
When my wife was a poor student and I liquidated all my savings to start a business we took advantage of snap, chip, medicare, and child care subsidies. They kept us out of the spiral of poverty and debt (barely).

There's no shame in it. It's why I now pay my taxes with gratitude. No one should have to sacrifice their dignity and welfare to be afforded the opportunities I had.

LB: If you're in need and the "those who really need it" argument is the only thing holding you back, listen to Shel on this, listen close. Then listen again.

I've had friends who were working on their Master's who needed food bank. They got a ton of fresh vegetables and other items that gave them extra days or even an extra week in some cases.

Don't go without food over pride. Pride, as Marcellus Wallace said, is fucking with you. American pride tells you to pretend you don't need.

@shel People's not availing themselves of the safety net programs that exist and are targeted *at them* is a huge problem in the US. It's also pretty definitive proof that social safety net programs mostly don't create the dependence that conservatives claim they do.

@shel I'd also like to mention other social safety net programs available in the US.

Look into the Medicaid eligibility requirements in your state. If you're eligible, apply.

If you were laid off from an employer, apply for unemployment compensation. Your former employer pays unemployment insurance specifically for this kind of thing.

If you have a disability that prevents you from working, apply for SSI disability, and if you're denied, use legal aid to appeal.

@shel something i've been looking at is Meals On Wheels and how to bring it to more people without injuring pride
One way is to make people feel like they're getting away with something -- "now normally, this would cost $12/meal (EXAMPLE NUMBER). but because of [bullshit made up reason], I think we can get it to you for just $1.50/meal"

Plus also actually letting people pay for it? vs must be gvmt-subsidized. because there's a little bit of economy-of-scale in the driver routing

@shel
shoplifting, dumpsterdiving.... fight the system... local networks of solidarity \o/

@shel is there a good thing to tell ppl if they're ashamed of poverty? I'm pretty proud of it, but as this is a social stigma for some...