Article Claims 25% of Military Need Charity

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A recent article published by NBC News claims that 25% of military families are seeking charitable assistance to help feed their families.  I'd like to hear your thoughts and experiences on this.

From the article,

"...620,000 households that include at least one soldier, reservist or guardsman – or 25 percent of the nation’s total active duty and reserve personnel – that are seeking aid from food pantries and other charitable programs across the country..."


The article goes on to profile several military and veteran families who can not pay their bills and rely on food banks to provide for their families.  It is an interesting read, but most of it doesn't seem right to me.  For example, it states that 2% of military troops received food stamps from 2009 to 2012.  The military provides an allowance, the  Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA), to military families whose income qualifies them for food stamps.  If these families are receiving food stamps, it is because they are not using the resources that the Department of Defense is already providing.

I know that I am not in a good position to comment on this, as our family has not had financial struggles except when we've made poor choices.  That's why I am asking my readers to fill in the gaps in my knowledge.  Have you had difficulty feeding your family?  Have you used food banks and other charitable organizations to obtain food?  Do you know others in this situation?  I am eager to learn more.

 

 

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