How to Help the Millions of Americans Who Are Losing Their Food Assistance

yes!!! we have matched the $5000, so happy everyone came together so quickly xo

You’ve raised a daughter who is unselfish and cares about others. You should be very proud!!!

I appreciate hearing this perspective and the compassion underpinning your post, anon! My son’s 4th grade class just finished a social studies unit on food insecurity, and I learned a lot from these facts about SNAP that were shared with parents. None of them contradict your points, just adding some extra context. – 86% of all SNAP benefits go to a home that includes a child, elderly person, or person with disabilities – 39% of SNAP recipients are children – 1.3 million active duty service members and veterans rely on SNAP – most recipients who are able do work – Amazon, WalMart, and McDonalds are some of the largest private sector employers of SNAP recipients – SNAP has the lowest fraud rate (<3%) of any public benefit program – every $1 in SNAP benefits distributed generates $1.73 in economic activity

Thanks for sharing these stats, it’s always good to see the data, but I think it only tells part of the story. For instance, qualifying for disability has become much easier over time, so that category can include people who might not be truly unable to work. The 39% of recipients who are children is heartbreaking, but it also shows how much family structures and local support systems have weakened. We should be asking how to strengthen those, not just expand federal aid. And while it’s true that many recipients work, a lot of those jobs are part-time or low-wage often with big corporations that rely on government benefits to fill the gap. That’s not sustainable or compassionate. Fraud might be low, but inefficiency and waste are still major problems. I just believe lasting dignity comes from independence, meaningful work, and strong communities, not lifelong or generational dependence on government programs. My perspective comes from 15 years of public service within the federal refugee program. I began as an idealist and quickly learned how inefficient the government can be when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money. I’d just encourage everyone to look at that side of the data too and to pause and thank those who work hard to steward the public’s dollars responsibly. I also live with a veteran, and I truly respect that you included that statistic. In fact, I wish it had been at the top of your list. I only wish, as a country, we placed that same level of care and urgency on meeting the needs of our veterans, first. Thanks for the respectful dialogue!

I’m a Republican. I don’t think liberals should be “rounded up and…” it is this sort of thinking that is just so unproductive, to say the least. We genuinely need to work harder to find common ground.

Well the president routinely attacks Democrats and uses violent language and imagery, so it’s easy to understand why we feel this way. Instead of dismissing this concern, take a few minutes to consider why people are scared. He is rounding up people of color and deporting them. He is intimidating and punishing his political enemies. He posted a video of him dumping shit on citizens exercising their right to protest. This is the tip of the iceberg. He is the president of a whole nation but only cares about his friends, and pretends to care about average republican voters. He is supposed to care about everyone and be a leader who can represent us all. And he is completely failing at that.

I think it’s an important distinction that people can still be Republican and not MAGA/extremists… and I am saying this as a liberal Dem. For example – my car tire blew the other day and as I was attempting to change it on the side of the road, a tow truck stopped and a guy helped me. He had a gun, American flag apparel, etc. and was likely a Republican if I had to guess. BUT – he was the nicest man and wanted to help. I think it’s a tough line because while a lot of Republicans DID vote for this (and should recognize their part in that) – they don’t all share the extremist views of the MAGA echo chamber or hate people.

Sarah, are you a white woman? Think about that same situation on the side of the road as a black or brown woman.

Same. How do you vote for Trump more than once and claim not to be MAGA? The 2nd and 3rd time you knew exactly what was coming. You might not wear the hat, but if it looks like a turd, and smells like a turd….its a turd!!

I read every comment on this post, and what’s missing is the conservative female voice. I almost didn’t post because of that. I’ve read Cup of Jo for many, many years, and while I’ve noticed a gradual shift toward more left-leaning content. Joanna and her team are entitled to their views. What’s harder to reconcile is how much we’ve lost touch with one another. I truly hope we can find our way back to the middle. Grace, I understand where you’re coming from, these conversations are hard. I think what Sarah was trying to express is that we’ve stopped seeing the person behind the politics. I spent 15 years working for the government on social programs, and that work changed me. It deepened my compassion but also showed me how broken large systems can be. I’m not MAGA. I’m an unapologetic woman of faith, and I vote pro-life because I believe every life has dignity. I simply disagree about when life begins and that conviction alone seems to make me an enemy to many. My political views shifted over time, not out of hate, but through experience. I’m not here to argue or create more of what we all hate — division, name-calling, and assumptions. I just wanted to share another perspective with sincerity and hope that maybe we can start recognizing the shared good in each other again.

I am registered Republican and I absolutely do not feel like this about Democrats or any other person (that they should be rounded up, etc). I also haven’t voted for a GOP presidential candidate in decades. There are many reasons behind why people register the way they do. I agree completely with the horror at what is happening. Thank you so much, COJ, for posting these suggestions for what we can do to help on an individual basis. It is so easy to slip into feeling overwhelmed and helpless.

GMP, respectfully, common ground? I also read these comments, and, like most people, I don’t always agree with every single one of the perspectives and positions I see. However, while I don’t know everyone’s politics, what I do see reflected here is also what characterizes the good women of deep faith that I have known personally. They look at the world, and the people within it, from a place of understanding, compassion and humility. They try to leave the judgement of others to God while they try to help those around them. They seek to lift up others in their community, country and the world. Very sadly, while the individual conservative person might think they are (or actually be, like anon above) somehow different, right now, conservative voices and current conservative policies absolutely do not reflect those attributes and values.

GMP – how do you claim to value the dignity of life when the GOP is literally KIDNAPPING children at schools? 47% of Medicaid recipients are kids https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/program-information/medicaid-and-chip-enrollment-data/report-highlights Their benefits have been slashed. Kids are starving and lacking basic healthcare. How is that a dignified life?

ANON, I appreciate your reply, and I think we actually agree on more than it might seem. My comment wasn’t meant to defend a party or a set of policies, just to share what shaped my perspective and to remind us that there are people of faith and compassion on all sides. I’ve seen both brokenness and beauty working inside government programs, and I really do believe most people, conservative or liberal, want to help others in ways that align with their values. That’s why I hope we can talk about these things without assuming the worst about each other’s intentions. That was really the intent behind my post. Grace, respectfully (as I was previously) I won’t continue to engage with your anger.

GMP, voting for and defending terror in the name of lives they may never begin will never cease to enrage me. You hide behind faith and work experience but I don’t need a book or a leader or a manual, to tell me how I should feel about starving children, adults, veterans, the disabled. My faith does not condone collateral damage to political folly. We can feed people and reform these programs (where possible) simultaneously. I also find it interesting that when these actions run afoul of the law or settled precedent your side argues “faith”. Respectfully, Jesus is isn’t starving people y’all are and I’d argue with him too if he was. But I guess my internal moral compass is just built better. Hmm…

Sequoia, I did not walk into the voting booth and vote for “terror,” nor have I defended the current administration’s actions or policies anywhere in this conversation. What I shared was my political stance and the reason for it. I also never once invoked the Gospels or Jesus, so you’re making quite a few assumptions, and I’d challenge you to pause on that for a moment. You don’t hold the moral high ground simply because you frame compassion differently or prioritize humanity in another order. I believe in protecting the vulnerable who are here, which is why I devoted 15 years of my life to serving immigrants and refugees (shocking, I know) and also protecting those who may never have the chance to be. I can care about both, simultaneously. Respectfully, if you’re so enraged, go feed your neighbor. Make them a meal. I do, as do the so-called “terror-filled women of faith” in my community. And I’ll keep feeding my “terror-filled” Republican veteran husband, too. The assumptions and outrage you’re clinging to will only harden into hate.

Thank you for your comments, GMP! I’m sorry other people are ignoring what you’re actually saying.

Thank you, Taylor!

Zohran!

Yay Joanna ! I would vote for him if I could !

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Jo!!!!

👏👏👏👏👏

Why Zohran?

yessss, Jo!!!!

So cool! I wish I was a New Yorker so I could vote for him!

I’m in a similar situation- blue in a red state/town and I struggle with this as well. It is hard to feel like I must have endless reserves of compassion. To be clear no one should ever go hungry (esp kids!!) ever ever ever but in terms of mentally comping with the knowledge that people choose this again and again and can’t see what’s happening and why…I’m at a loss. It’s hard.

I often remind myself just how powerful propaganda is… It’s hard to understand why people think and act the ways that they do, so I also remind myself that to be human is to be often irrational, and I think of the ways that I too might be acting counter to my own best interests in certain areas. While the scale and scope may be different, this helps me regain any lost compassion. While holes can be poked in these methods pretty easily, my goal is to come back to compassion, so they don’t have to be airtight– just enough to remind me of all our shared humanity.

This is such an interesting thought. I didn’t think of the irony that there could be many if not a majority of people affected by this who voted and continue to support this administration. I’m sure they reconcile all of this by blaming democrats for pushing back. And another part of me wonders if this is all some ploy to give the short-term “boost” to the economy at the expense of children and families in need.

I would love a post with tips on this. Especially for whenever we get past this era in history. How will I ever be able to forgive my neighbors and family members who voted for this? I think about this constantly.

Is there a way to donate specifically to benefit kids? I’m not in the US but our Red Cross runs a school breakfast program, and my local school also runs one themselves – they’re always keen for donations of long life juice, jam etc. They run it as ‘open to all kids’ so that there is no stigma around going and grabbing some breakfast. Before I had kids of my own I volunteered at the red cross program near my work. Mainly making about 60 pieces of toast but also a great opportunity to chat with the kids. Straightouttacrayons on instagram runs donation drives for kids at a school in Chicago.

Thank you for farming. It is tough lifestyle as a farmer. I am totally with you. I live my the nation’s capital – blue & tons of hard working undocumented people here. They’re getting the shaft. The rural poor white MAGAs in red areas are too / but they voted for this & often aren’t working by choice.

I try very hard to focus on the kids and “ignore” the adults. Kids need food and I try my best to help them get it. Not a perfect solution, but what I do when I find myself feeling this way (and also in the same blue voter/red state situation

I am a subscriber to the Tangle and read a piece by one of their conservative writers yesterday. I’m having to come back to it because so much of what they said I immediately started arguing with what she wrote in my head. But it did start to help me understand why people are choosing what they choose. Because even if I fully don’t see things the same way, if THIS is their perception?? It makes more sense than just people voting against their interest. And people tend to vote with party rather than policies a lot of times. So even if the policies are harmful, the party is part of their identity and that’s hard to change.

@Anonymous, I really feel your pain in your comment. That cognitive dissonance is really hard to wrap our heads around. I feel the same way so, honestly, I have stopped trying to make it make sense. Our president is a corrupt maniac, his minions in congress are no better. There is no sense to be found in this. The thing I hang onto with both hands is the kids: – Kids can grow up to be different than their parents. My husband is a shining example of a caring liberal raised by Fox News-loving. judgemental AF Catholics. Feeding kids (even if they come from Trumpy households) is still investing in hope for the future. – The kids can’t vote and their little growing brains and bodies will be MOST impacted by the cuts that they didn’t vote for. Imagine all the rice, peanut butter and birthday cake mix that you donate going directly to those hungry tummies. It’s going to go where it’s going to go, but imagining your donations going directly to kids can help you feel better about it maybe? – Everyone is doing the best they can. Maybe “the best” of some of your neighbors is still pretty shitty! It’s very hard not to harden our hearts, especially when you see the ways these folks voted against their own interest and are now going to suffer and take the rest of us down, too. I feel a deep sense of anger when I see people wearing MAGA gear. AND at the very same time, when I see someone coming in their godawful red, I try to think “Look at the scared, possibly traumatized little kid trapped in that hateful adult’s body. I bet that person needed more hugs. I bet they are so tired of living in their righteous anger, it’s exhausting.” I think about the little kid who grew up to be that awful adult and I try VERY hard to turn that sense of empathy into feeding the kids who are kids now, in the hopes they don’t grow up to be like that, that we can try to help things get better. And if none of that works (cause sometimes it doesn’t!) then I hike and scream and ride my Peloton bike until I cry and then I try again tomorrow. I wish you luck finding your compassion again. It’s ok to struggle with this. It’s ok that you had to set it down for awhile. I – and many of us here – can carry it until you are ready to pick it back up again. After all, I’m sure you are doing your very best, too. xx

I have to admit that when I saw how many people rely on this subsidy I did think this isn’t a Trump problem – this is successive governments from one of the world’s leading countries – who all allow this level of poverty in their own country. What sort of nation lets its people starve when it is so wealthy. Shame.

It’s a cult. There’s nothing rational whatsoever. Think of what Jim Jones was able to convince GOOD people (not hateful racists) to do. They murdered their own children for him. THEIR OWN CHILDREN. This is the power of cults. These people do not see the truth in front of their own faces. I too live in a very red area, where my whole state takes in WAY more federal funds than we generate. Trumpers will still find a way to twist reality to fit their narrative. Personally, I am focusing on the good people in my life, taking care of myself and them, finding ways to check out when I need to, learning about history so i can put all of this into context and talking to my therapist. I have had to give up a lot of my beliefs about the goodness of most people and my country. And honestly, that needed to happen. I wasn’t listening hard enough to all the people who’ve previously been victims of our great country or I wouldn’t have believed that to begin with. I think it’s very possible that we are headed for complete collapse AND, perhaps that is the beginning of being part of a nation that lives up to its ideals? I don’t know. Have you studied Roman history? Thousands of years, and my god, they were evil. Ruthless, brutal, VERY little redeeming. I, personally, am not sorry Rome fell. Perhaps future humans will say the same of our current civilization? Do you watch Star Trek? Maybe something better is coming.

I relate to this so deeply. I taught high school science through his first and now current election/administration and watched my beloved hometown and Alma mater turn uglier each year. We’re a deeply, deeply red county and I intimately know many of the neediest families in my community given how long I’ve lived here and worked in the district. Many of the adults are continually voting for people and policies that harm themselves and their own kids. It’s really hard to watch and understand. I don’t have a solution for you but just empathy and solidarity.

because there are people like me, a 55 year old artist living with type 1 diabetes, no insurance, otherwise completely healthy, and also a democratic socialist living in a big city who rely on snap benefits to help offset the cost of all of my other bills.

I thought of you as I read about Dr. Ben Boardman in Melrose, Wisconsin. He lives in a red community and he decided to buy ad space in the free weekly shopping newspaper that everyone in his community gets. He writes a 400-word weekly column about current issues from his perspective. He’s a known, trusted member of the community and people listened and started thinking. He also began getting donations from other Democrats to help pay for the ad space. I’ll include the link here but if you can’t open it, here’s an excerpt: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/02/opinion/rural-doctor-ads-challenge-trump/ “Rather than toss and turn at night, Boardman, 68, opted to resist in an unconventional way. Every week, he decided, he’d purchase six column inches of ad space in the local “shopper” paper that’s delivered free to every resident of his rural county, where Trump got 60 percent of the vote last November. Since early this year, Boardman has used this space to run his own column, about 400 words long, which he calls the “Barn Owl.” Wedged between puppy classifieds and excavator ads, the column — written in simple, accessible language — explains Trump administration moves and other current events from a liberal standpoint, from Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill to DOGE’s push to kick Social Security recipients off the rolls. Boardman started his column just hoping to reach his neighbors. But as feedback and interest rolled in, he realized the column could become a blueprint for piercing the red media bubble that surrounds so many small and rural communities. Research suggests his instinct is on target: Echo chambers that train members to shun outside views can be disrupted when someone those members trust — say, a longtime town doctor — offers them an alternate perspective.” If this isn’t something you can do, maybe you know someone in your community who could piece the bubble. Try to persuade them and see if there are Democratic organizations that can help pay for the ad space. Good luck!

Kelly, What twisted logic has them blaming democrats?

Oh anonymous friend, you’re doing so much! Please don’t let your tender heart turn hard. I hope when you lose energy that you can turn your compassion toward yourself. What a hard thing you are doing living in line with your values while watching neighbors seemingly squander their freedoms (including voting). When I struggle with the dissonance of it all I remind myself that behavior makes sense in context. That’s not to condone wrongs. But I don’t know the full context of any neighbor’s life. It helps me trust that humans are generally good and hold hope that things can change for the better over time. Your anger is justified! I hope you’re finding moments of joy amidst the struggle.

Be soft on people but ruthless on systems.

I do try to cultivate empathy (even for people who think empathy is bad!), but I’m learning I sometimes need to say “well, human rights are for jerks too” and do my best to focus on the people who are committed to the same work—instead of tying myself in knots to convince myself that person doesn’t know they’re being a jerk or deep down has some secret reason that makes their behavior more sympathetic. For what it’s worth it sounds like you are doing a LOT to build a better world (which will benefit your neighbors too), which seems pretty compassionate to me. I think it’s okay to let yourself off the hook for not having warm fuzzy feelings about it.

Sending hugs and solidarity from our family to yours, Helga! <3

Helga, I’m so, so sorry that you got laid off from JPL. I did a postdoc at NASA Goddard and I know what a dream a job like JPL could be. I recently got laid off, too (from somewhere else). Solidarity! I’m sending lots of good wishes your way.

Helga, I am so sorry. Thank you for the important work you did at JPL. I hope you will return there again someday. We need the expertise of people like you. Sending my best.

I am so sorry you’ve been laid off. My daughter’s class toured JPL when she was in 5th grade and it was one of the best field trips ever. Thank you for donating and for being a person of science and logic in a place that currently does not seem to see value in these things.

Perfectly put!

Thank you for reminding people about pets. I didn’t think of this, but you’re so right! I have donated to a local food bank this week, but I will also be donating food to our local shelter that helps pet owners in financial need.

Thank you so much for this comment, Julie, and for the work that you do xoxo

What a fabulous analysis. Reading from the other side of the world and I really relate to food and feeding to be part of our community values. Re learning the lost art of gardening and cooking is very powerful too. I’ve said to my husband that my enlarged vege garden and sharing its abundance with neighbours is my primary act of political activism.

Wow Julie this is very helpful, thank you!

Julie – fellow Minnesotan here. Thanks for posting – lots of good suggestions. I live near Garrison and I plan to contact our local food shelf to find out where the holes are and try to fill some of them.

Julie, this is so thoughtful, helpful, comprehensive. Thank you so much. And thank you for illiuminating that we are all needful at times…in so many different ways.

Wow thank you for this comment, it really resonated. I live in a community where a lot of people utilize SNAP, so I’m feeling really anxious about how this will affect those around me. Simultaneously I’m currently 38 weeks pregnant and feeling less able to be a responsive community member. In fact I feel that I’m entering a moment where I will also need to receive in the ways you’ve described above, ways that I’m not accustomed to allowing myself to receive. It’s a complex moment for all of us huh. As I was typing my comment, this Khalil Gibran quote came to mind: “For in truth it is life that gives unto life, while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.”

Absolutely!

This is beautiful, Suz!! Our elementary school is beyond fortunate in the fundraising department, so one thing our PTA has done is “adopt” another local school just a few miles away that is in a drastically different position. We donated $1k in $25 gift cards to our local grocery store every semester. That will buy gas, food, pet food and everything else someone could need. Their PTA can hand it out as needed. We are going to do a mid-year infusion now because we’re worried about this. For anyone in a PTA/PTO or school, this can be a lovely and respectful way to offer some help that will go directly to families with kiddos.

Wow, thanks for this idea Suz! How easy! Will do on Monday.

Where do you live, Anon?

Can we figure out how to provide assistance to Anon?

I’m really proud of you Anon for signing up so that you can take care of yourself and your kids. “Embarrassing and disheartening” was how I felt too, signing up for WIC (which comes with an extra side of control/condensation, at least where I was living.) Which is so strange given that about half of moms/babies are eligible… Anyway! I am thinking of you and yours 💕

UPDATE: Joanna reached out to me this morning in the most sweetest, respectful and kindest way imaginable! And readers, she sent help! I’m so in awe of her and in this community, I can’t hardly type. I thank God for her, her family and all of you here. It’s been rough after over six years getting out of an abusive marriage, custody battle and loosing my job. In the wilderness indeed! But God works in mysterious and miraculous ways, and here I am, thankful and grateful for Joanna and for all of you! Samantha, I live in Indiana. Helga, thank you. You are welcome to contact Joanna, but like I mentioned before, she sent tremendous help, and I don’t want to take advantage of anyone here. Cara, thank you for understanding and for ‘seeing” me.

Cara, I just wanted to say that when I was a young mom on WIC, it was brutally condescending and demoralizing. It Jodi SUCKED and yet, there we were. I still remember how one employee there felt the need to talk r e a l l y slowly to me, a woman with a MA in History. Hi, I’m poor, not stupid, but thanks!! And because my younger daughter was “underweight” (well, not according to her DOCTOR) we had to get her iron checked every 3 months or some insane thing. It was “low”, every time, so I’d get a big speech about how to properly feed my child, but also, every time I’d bring it up with her actual DOCTOR, nope! She’s actually fine, they are using am insane metric, don’t change a thing. My gosh. This was over 25 years ago, someone please tell me it’s better now?? I really really hope so. Because, again, poverty is not a f*cking crime, we just act like it is in this country. Anyone out there who is getting assistance, GOOD FOR YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR FAMILY. Really big hugs.

Anon, Jo, can we please find a way to help? For someone to teach out like this…..I think that takes a lot of courage. I’ve often wished we could have a FB group for just this sort of thing. Just an easier way to connect that required less of Jo and team, but more user friendly than a comments section (as wonderful as it is) If Jo would allow us to post a link to one here, I would be happy to help admin(I would want a team doing that). I already admin a couple FB groups. The keys to them staying great places are, private, post approval on, membership questions to keep bots out, and active moderation. Once those are in place, people behave themselves and it’s less work than you would think.

Thank you for these beautiful and thoughtful comments! I would expect nothing from this wonderful group of women. Sasha, a FB page would be amazing if that’s possible! And I emailed the anonymous commenter and was so grateful that she replied and I was able to help with some funds for the next couple months and the holidays. Thank you for looking out for those in our community!! Xoxoxoxo Joanna

Can we get your venmo or PayPal or any other way to send you money? If you are comfortable. I got so much help from CoJ readers last Christmas when we really needed it, and it was a godsend. Happy to pay it forward.

Anon, I’m so grateful you reached out. Joanna, and team, YOU ARE THE BEST. I’m going to throw a fb group together and just share a link in future posts. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we can use it to help in situations like this?

Thank you!!!! Will update the post

Thank you for this! My husband is an essential federal worker who is not getting paid.

My husband is also not getting paid but is for some reason not essential and cannot work. Please check on all your friends and family who are federal workers and demand that the government is reopened. This administration has decided to traumatize a work force that serves our nation, their words. Just cruel and honestly mentally deranged.

Sara, this is wonderful and your compassion is beautiful. From my years in the trenches helping families in need, keep in mind that the best thing you can give them is money. I know it’s fun for people to play Santa and pick out gifts, but I promise you no one knows what purchase those girls need more than their mom does and giving her money to buy her kids’ gifts gives back some of her dignity. Sometimes families in need are inundated with well meaning toys or merch when what they actually needed was the specific pair of shoes they need for school in the right size, the next book in their favorite graphic novel series, the specific toy they’ve been begging their mom for.

What a beautiful idea! I’m so thankful the world is filled with people like you, the Cup of Jo team, and this community. It’s like an alternate reality where kindness and compassion reign. What a wonderful world that would be!!

I am a MAHA person and I will be donating. I disagree with every single political thing that is posted on Cup of Jo, but I read and support this blog every single day. I understand what is going on is “political” but it’s ok if WE take care of each other other right now (regardless of politics) and we worry about the political BS later.

Right but the situation is a direct result of the administration’s refusal to release emergency funds (that do exist for a reason). What is a greater emergency than starvation and what is a bigger threat to a child’s health? Of course we should all help each other, but the fact remains that we should not have to set up GoFundMe’s to feed people in our country because there ARE sufficient tax dollars to support this program. We are having to set up an emergency food pantry at my son’s elementary school because so many of the students won’t have enough to eat next week. That is unconscionable.

I guess more specifically, where is RFK Jr.? This is the sort of thing he should be absolutely up in arms about…..right?

Exactly right! Plus the $300m spent on a bigger ballroom at the White House. Laura below might have the privilege of calling it ‘political BS’ but that political BS is making kids go hungry. You thought banning red food dye was more important than ensuring people have basic nutrition. You know what the most effective way for ‘us’ to take care of each other is? Vote for compassion not for someone who at best is only out to enrich himself and his cronies, and at worst (and highly likely) someone who SA-ed teenagers.

Laura: if not now, then when? The current administration is now starving our fellow citizens. Starvation is a form of violence. It is ALL about politics, and not addressing that is only going to make things worse.

If you’re MAGA/MAHA, this is the direct result of your vote. You voted for this. You voted for this and now you want us to feel grateful you’re donating? How dare you.

Thank you for this comment Lucy. When you are poor, sometimes your beloed post is EVERYTHING to you. Everything. We adopted a16 yo black lab named Otis from our shelter after his person became homeless and he had to surrender him because he couldn’t afford his vet care. He’d raised him since a puppy. 16 years. The only home Otis had ever known. It was heartbreaking. Just devastating. Our shelter has strict confidentiality rules so they couldn’t put us in contact with him, but they promised to let him know that we had taken him. A warm and loving home with two dog obsessed teen girls and that we would shower him with love every single day. He was the sweetest boy, but I know he never stopped missing his human. Our current dog, Nora, was taken from her family (they had small children) because they weren’t feeding her enough. They ended up surrendering her so we adopted her. I can only imagine the reason for the neglect was poverty. I cry for those children. I know she misses them too.

Oh my gosh, I hadn’t even thought of this. Thank you.

💕

Heads up that as of November 15, the military will no longer be receiving a paycheck. And this past pay period, the military had to apply for an interest free loan from credit unions to receive pay. If the shutdown continues to November 15 and the military stops getting any pay, but ICE does, things are really going to hit the fan.

This ❤️

I’m on the waitlist at my library for this book. Beautiful quote, thanks for sharing