Laurie McDowell: Using food stamps not lucrative

As I read the Nov. 10 letter “Trump can end entitlement” from the woman whose husband left her for another woman, I thought I was reading a letter from one of Donald Trump’s former wives. I wonder if the reader has ever heard of Ivanka Trump. Or Marla Maples.

I was sorry to hear of her experience with food stamps. That should not happen to anyone. I hope she was able to return to the welfare office and obtain the help she needed, as so many women in her same circumstances are forced to do.

As for the non-English speaking people who seemed so well off and were using food stamps, I don’t know their circumstances and neither did the writer. I do know that buying cookies and crackers is legal under USDA rules, so maybe the writer could rally her legislators to change that. Also, SNAP recipients are limited to three months of benefits (although this can be extended) and the average amount of benefits is $1.40 per person per meal. A McDonald’s Happy Meal with hamburger (the lowest price) costs about $2.49.

This story was originally published November 13, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Laurie McDowell: Using food stamps not lucrative."