wilkes

Whether or not you can buy things like energy drinks with EBT really depends on the store. I've been in stores (can't remember which) that had signs up clearly stating you COULD NOT buy energy drinks with EBT. Things like canned coffee or frappuchino did not have a sign like that. Some people may not know it but you can buy vegetable/herb seeds with EBT. I'd love to grow a garden but I can't take care of one. However, I do buy seeds for things I can grown in pots, especially herbs. Fresh herbs can make a cheap spaghetti sauce taste much better. Another tip is to invest in a freezer. I have a small chest freezer I bought several years ago. Every month, I set aside a portion of my EBT budget for freezer meats. I buy lots of reduced meats, and you can even freeze bread from the bread store. Last month I carried home 15 packs of loaf bread, bagels, kaiser rolls and more because it was 3/$1.Got home, almost all of it went into the freezer. Buying reduced food allows me to eat better for less so I am able to have that splurge once in a while, like a small carton of ice cream in summer.

Even poor people deserve a treat now and then, you're right moving.

I want anyone that needs assistance legitimately to get it, but, I have to admit I think people would be better served if EBT could only purchase healthy foods; no junk food. As for people with special dietary needs, a doctor could provide them with documentation to get around any restrictions the program might have. Then again, who on a special diet needs junk food and Red Bull to live? EBT could have restrictions and still allow a small amount of snack foods in a 30 day period so as to not deprive poor people/children of an occasional treat.

Life's not fair.

You know a lot of people feel that if you don't like government programs like WIC and EBT that you are a Hater. I never want the people that really need to do without. I just hate the government that has rules that lets some childs old parent drink one of those expensive drinks while the kid goes without nutrition. Years ago I worked at a gas station/ convenience store part time. I would always get hacked-off when a kid would come in with a parent and want some sort of snack food and the parent wouldn't get it for them and yet they would buy themselves a couple of packs of cigarettes.

You taught the three of us something Osmosis, I don't know what can be bought with an EBT card. It's possible that some stores will sell what other's won't. I hope no one who really needs a card will be penalized by what other's buy.

Osmosis makes a good point. If I were "queen for a day," I might decide that folks can't buy $3.25 energy drinks with an EBT card.

Kenc- I did like you said. I just up and called the local Dollar General and asked the girl that answered the phone if I could buy Red Bull with an EBT card. She said I sure could. I don't mind helping people that really needs help. I just don't think we should be helping them with vigor. I hope the people that use EBT are able to realize that you can buy a lot of wholesome food for what you pay for that $3.25 energy drink.

Could be no one on here has an EBT card, do some research elsewhere.

I asked a question on this thread last night and no one has seemed to answer it. Can you buy energy drinks such as Red Bull and others with your EBT card? I know surely they won't let you buy tobacco products.How about Iced coffee and Frappachino?

It is like Wrestler Grandpa said, we have 66,000 living in Wilkes. Have you not noticed all the different races and all the people from up north that have moved here? I say help the ones that need help! Let them eat what they want to eat! Do you want somebody else doing your grocery shopping and making out your menu? The only thing I wouldn't ever agree on is for the EBT cards to ever buy tobacco products or alcoholic beverages. And no I am not receiving help from any one.

genseeker, WG and moving !!

Also there are only 32000 house holds and of those 25000 receive help. I call that clam BS

Oh wait WG the 31000 was based on working age employed from another JP article. Roughly 40 precent of the pop is either under 18 or over 65

Has someone suggested cutting out all aid. Would you please post that

Antithesis....as for populatin in wilkes County the last census indicates there are some 66 thousand not 31 thousand...as for aid of some 25 thousand it would not be surprising to me...but there are so many who can work part time but with wages at $7.25 an hour and at less than 15 hours a week that really does not pay for much..hence the aid is needed for those with small children in their care.....DSS can only do what the guide lines allow them to do...the State may attempt to cut here and there but will run into Federal Guide Lines for Money sent to each state....its a complicated program to run....for those who want too just cut it all together well they should at first try to live on the little aid received...if you have children it really can be tough....walk in their shoes for a month and then make a statement...remember only the aid received no other outside income....

The only problem I could see with restricting the foods that could be purchased with food stamps is people with dietary issues. For example, I have food allergies, including peppers & onions & tomatoes. Tomatoes have to be processed in something else, like spaghetti sauce and I can't eat peppers or onions at all. I'm also allergic to shellfish but I never really cared for it anyways.

Energy drinks are not healthy nor should they be allowed to purchase them on EBT. For what some pay for one energy drink specifically red bull you can almost get a gallon of milk, most certainly a half gallon. That would be better for them self and their kids! A large red bull on average is $3.49. That's insane for one drink! I personally don't drink them and refuse to pay that for a single drink. If you need energy you can incorporate certain foods in your diet that would be more beneficial than tons of caffeine which what makes up most energy drinks.

I was in the Dollar General here a few months ago and thought I saw a sign that said energy drinks would soon be EBT eligible. Can you buy energy drinks with EBT cards? I think that should not be allowed. I know a lot of people on this site probably drink them. I tried one one time and it didn't help me at all. I think I would have more energy if I drank a big ole 40 oz. BUDWEISER. The REDBULL I drank tasted like an ole FIZZY. When I was young you got them in packs. It was a big old flat pill that you dissolved in water. I thought they were foul tasting. They were not much of a success. Kool-Aid was much better.