2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS OPINION FEBRUARY 23, 2024 Hear Me Out: EBT should allow the purchase of hot, prepared meals Those stuck in poverty and homelessness suffer in all categories of life, but when it comes to food and proper nutrition, I feel like they suffer the most. Gas stations and convenience stores that accept EBT (governmental food purchasing assistance) play a part in this suffering because the lack of fresh food encourages the consumption of processed foods, which leads to health problems. People experiencing poverty and homelessness often live in places called “food deserts.” A food desert is an area that has limited access to affordable and nutritious food. People who live in these areas have no other choice but to shop at the neighborhood gas stations and corner stores. Not only are the poor being under-served, but also overcharged for the products they purchase at these establishments. For Currently in Michigan, 710,500 MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 example, a bottle of water along with other items will cost twice as much at some gas station/corner store than it would at a major retailer like Walmart, Kroger or even Whole Foods. 41.2 million people in 21.6 million households received SNAP (which is the same as EBT) in America in 2022. households including more than 531,000 children receive SNAP. SNAP operates in all 50 states and is utilized frequently by individuals and families. I had a chance to interview individuals (who are the heads of their households) who receive SNAP benefits. I asked them two questions: Would you like to be able to purchase a hot prepared meal with your EBT card? And do you think you live in an area or neighborhood that provides affordable, nutritious food? I talked to an unhoused person who did not want his name to be disclosed and he said, “Yes, because when you're unhoused, you do not have anywhere to cook and to prepare the food.” For the second question he answered, “No, in the Ann Arbor downtown area, the gas stations and corner stores that accept EBT do not sell fresh food items such as fruits and vegetables.” Jim Dooley (aka Country), who lives in Ypsilanti Township said yes, he would like to be able to purchase a hot meal with his EBT card. And for the second question he answered “No, I am currently housed and disabled in a wheelchair with no transportation. The bus stop is half a mile away, so I have no other choice but to shop at these two stores in front of my apartment complex that both accept EBT cards. There is a corner store that prepares hot meals, and a gas station. I would like to purchase a hot meal at the corner store, but cannot purchase hot food with my EBT card.” Based on these responses, it seems clear that it would be beneficial if EBT allowed purchase of hot food. PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Simone Masing — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Teresa Basham Elizabeth Bauman Amy Burbury Jocelin Boyd La Shawn Courtwright Chris Ellis Cindy Gere Robbie February Mike Jones Will Shakespeare Wayne Sparks Shawn Swoffer GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Zachary Dortzbach Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Robert Klingler Ruben Mauricio Emily Paras Liem Swanson Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons
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