By the way, RUSerious, the idea of the "food desert" is not only that there's no other food nearby but also that you can't get to other food over a very long span of time.

RUSerious, avoid the fork in that road unless you have a knife and are eating steak.

GFan-have you ever been driving down a winding road and begin to feel you've covered that territory before? You know there is probably a lot left to explore and you have not lost interest, but the vehicle you're in and the time allotted are not adequate for this kind of journey.
In other words, I talk too much (or have too much to say on the subject), especially for a newspaper forum, and when I find myself talking in metaphors, it's a bad sign.
Food desert: I found myself at one yesterday, had miles to go before I'd sleep, no time to spend on the finer things in life, like food. We Kwikly grabbed some donuts. No, I am not a police person, but sometimes can relate to how they earned that "stereotype".
I'll probably see you a little further down the road.

Well, if there were any courageous politicians who wanted to initiate such a measure, would we hear about "food deserts?" ;~)

GFan-I totally agree. Surprised that's not already in place. Doesn't have to be demeaning. People with common sense probably already use a self-imposed list. Others need someone to do it for them. (But not fellow shoppers/onlookers/neighbors...)

RUSerious, if we are only honing in on excess of junk food consumption, then, maybe the government should make a list that prohibits recipients from purchasing junk food, or at least limit such purchases. What do you think?

Gfan, you may have misunderstood my rambling diatribe. (Yes, I know.) I wasn't so much giving latitude to those consuming junk food at our expense. It would upset me to think more than 1% of any “public” funds were being spent on junk. 0% would be better. And the people who were taxed to provide those funds have every right to know where their money is going and how it is being spent. But there must be a better way to do it, before the money is even given.
I was ranting mainly about people who are preoccupied with people in need and what wrongs they must have done and be doing, whether or not they eat junk food. And it bothers me knowing there are those who ogle fellow shoppers, waiting to pounce on the first person they see whose purchases don't pass their inspections if even they are just suspected of getting public funds. And you should know as well as I do that there are those who would look down their noses at someone using a quest card even if their purchases were "respectable".
And I also I take exception to those who lump every “needy” person into some less than respectable group that merits our disgust and disrespect. I KNOW their are those who don't deserve our respect.
Should both groups be free of scrutiny when purchasing junk? Well, the “scrutinizers” I am talking about don't actually have a plan for remedying the problem, they are just venting their disgust. And there may be a few I've come to recognise (here) who seem to be lying in wait to vent that disgust.
I mentioned my own experience where those feelings of “disgust” were misplaced, but it would seem, unless that man had preconceived feelings of his own about this subject, he wouldn't even had noticed what I had in my cart.
I probably didn't answer your questions, but maybe you have a better idea of the basis for my reactions to some posts.

RUSerious, the latitude you give dependents for buying junk food should also extend to tolerance for people who subject such behavior to scrutiny.

The tougher question is: If we know non-dependents eat junk food in excess, should dependents be allowed that same excess without being subject to scrutiny?

This is a great thing for the community no doubt but Chocolate is spotlighting an issue that undoubtedly exists, people that abuse systems and others charity, it happens, and it is sad that it can overshadow the good done for the truly needy.

Gazettefan, my response to your questions...my humble opinion:
“...be more responsible with their purchases...?” While it wouldn't hurt anyone (recipient or otherwise) to do so (so they, too, don't end up in this unenviable position), it surely wouldn't be a bad idea, but especially for those using government help.
“...who receives donations and government help be responsible enough to pass up potato chips and pop...” Same exact answer.
In both situations, I'd say people who have the kind of empathy to make donations (those who do it for that reason) would enjoy the thought of their recipients sometimes being “allowed” something that gives them pleasure, though, and they probably make sure to donate things of that kind occasionally.
“Should people who know dependent people are misusing their funds keep their pie holes shut?”
Depends. If someone knows someone is breaking some sort of law, do what you need to do. If it's a matter of personal opinion, I'm afraid I have to say, keep it to yourself-at least in public. You've seen it on here and know just the kinds of comments I mean. “He bought this much and it costs $76 and then he also bought...” You are seriously watching someone's every move from the soup aisle to the nut aisle to see what he's getting that he shouldn't?? It must have been for comments like that the phrase “Get a life!” was coined.
I once was going through a local store with a cart full of “goodies” to donate to a local group-and I was getting just what was needed. A man was shopping with what must have been his family. He ogled my cart, and said...point blank and in front of onlookers and his family...”Why? Can you just tell me why?”
People have told me I should have just told him it was none of his business. Of course I should have, because it wasn't! But, I didn't even want this boneheaded stranger thinking it was all for me, or that I was using some sort of food stamps to get so much of that. So I told him that I was donating it to (a cause). He said “Oh” and scampered off. And similar things have happened before because I do it often.
Other times I may have a whole cart full of pop/chips/meat and that other wicked stuff because we're having a birthday party/holiday party and I'm in charge. On my own dime!
So-all of the people making comments about seeing this family or that person going through getting mounds of this or bottles of that, being certain it's with a quest card...they SHOULD keep their pie holes shut. I don't like being stalked through the store for any reason, but especially for the wrong reasons. But no one has a right to analyze, examine, question or otherwise “investigate” their fellow shopper, no matter what you may think. You can complain privately, gossip among yourselves, write your congressman, but until they set limits on what or how much you may get on a Quest card (and maybe they should), MYO*B!

The questions become:

Should people who receive help from donations and government programs be more responsible with their purchases than people who don't depend on such help?

Should someone who receives donations and government help be responsible enough to pass up the potato chips and pop etc.? Or should they be allowed to buy crappy food just like everyone else?

Should people who know that dependent people are misusing their funds keep their pie holes shut?

Let me clarify for the misinformed out there.

All of the money used in this food drive was from private donations. There was no government money used at all. The warehouse was donated by a private company, the food either purchased with donated money, or by private companies.

There was no government envolvement. Please do not take this great outpouring of help, love and hope by hundreds of people and use it to express your own bitter private agenda. Their hard work was by their own choice and deserves nothing but postive comments.

I am thankful for Chocolatelover comment: These programs are so missed used. I live on my families income do I spend 455.00 a month on groceries not even close I wish I could. We are a family of 3 I just got a job we used to do it on my husbands income alone. WIC is a great program there is no way to miss use it. Food stamps yes... They sell them, they buy junk, things that are not deemed necessary but a want.Pop, pizza,steaks and whatever else they buy. I do not qualify, am I bitter no. I just wish those who do have them would be considerate in how they use them yes its free. Its on the tax payers of this great country; however have a little class in what you use it for.I think alot of people would be less offended.

ChocolateLover has shown their contempt for the poor and needy in their comment history. The scare quotes he/she/it uses around the word needy are really indicative of his/her/its doubt that anyone could ever actually be justifiably in poverty or need. The statistics cited demonstrate the lack of employment opportunities in Janesville, which has repeatedly ranked near the top of unemployment among Wisconsin cities. Clearly, ChocolateLover is a person without empathy. I urge counseling.

I think someone needs to stay out of the bitter chocolate!

The Gazette again whips up its readership with another article describing handouts to welfare recipients.

Ok. Let me be a little more specific. How did you get the information? Where did you get the information?

There are several grocery stores that track purchases in Janesville by the hour and that is done for many reasons. From shopping trends to inventory to banking needs such as how much cash flow there is in the drawers. Technology is much more advanced than you think.

ChocolateLover, how do you know these details of how people paid for their purchases at Sentry "in one hour last week"?

Thanks, school district, for your participation. Greatly appreciated by the families in need.

Thanks, also....

"On October 13 from 9AM-2PM, the Janesville City Council in partnership with ECHO and the Janesville Salvation Army will hold a food drive at local grocery stores. Individuals wishing to contribute non-perishable food items are asked to visit one of the grocery stores listed below on to drop off their donation from their home or from the store:

• Woodman’s Food Market, 2819 N. Lexington Dr.
• Daniels Sentry, 2822 E. Milwaukee St.
• Daniels Sentry, 2501 W Court St.
• Pick ‘n Save, 1717 Center Ave. # 100
• Logli, 1501 Creston Park Dr.
• Basics, 1711 Lodge Drive"

"During the spring “Big Give” food drive, the Janesville community generously donated 2,950 pounds of non-perishable food items and over $1,350 in cash donations. The amount collected made approximately 5,900 meals for Janesville area families."

http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/index.asp...

Thanks....Echo, Salvation Army, area businesses, and the many volunteers who make this possible every year.

The generosity of the American people has always been what makes our country great.

yada..I like your comment that the social workers put together a list of those who needed this. We volunteer for an agency that verifies needs and then helps families get whatever help they need...rent help, food, clothing, rides, etc. it is a network of churches and social service organizations that provide the needed services, no govt funds involved. You would be surprised when you question someone about need whe they are just gaming the system. Resources should be for those who are needy. Congrats to the generous people who volunteered for this project.

Thank you to the Janesville School District - Especially to the TEACHERS & ALL OTHERS that once again have helped the needy in our community. The School District of Janesville website has more information on this 4th annual event of - "Delivering Bags Of Hope" -
The Social Workers did a great job of putting together the list of those that would benefit and the many volunteers continue to do the fine work that General Motors always did for this event. It's so nice to see the area business and community donations that help so much year after year.

http://www.janesville.k12.wi.us/Default....

Good article also at Channel 3 website.

http://www.channel3000.com/news/Janesvil...