The Daily Caller is reporting about a rising trend among the American public to which college students are no exception; people are applying for SNAP, the new name for the Federal Food Stamp Program, at higher rates than at any time before. Colleges may even be encouraging students to participate who qualify, but don't actually need the assistance.
At Portland State University, the Healthy Campus division of Student Affairs reminds students that "there are enough SNAP dollars for everyone that needs them. As a matter of fact, about 20% of Oregonians eligible for SNAP do not apply."
There is a big difference between "qualifying" and "needing": there are people who legitimately can't afford to eat and then there are people with choices who just want someone else to afford for their eating. Since applications for SNAP among the general public have been piling up since 2008, college students who apply frivolously would be adding to the wait time for families truly in need.
And as Matthew Boyle shows in this investigation, the SNAP EBT cards can be easily used in ridiculous and non-economical ways. Want to spend your $56 first month's allowance on gourmet fare at Whole Foods instead of staples at a local grocery? Well, why not?
How about $100 in Halloween candy at the drug store your next month? Not a problem - even for a program which is supposed to be focused on public nutrition.
