The FoodShare Stigma

FoodShare recipients are often stereotyped because of the stigmas that surround receiving assistance. However, there are more than half a million food-insecure people in Wisconsin, and 1 in 8 individuals are experiencing hunger in eastern Wisconsin alone. That could be your coworker, a friend from church, or your next-door neighbor. FoodShare is a temporary benefit to help these families and individuals purchase the food they need to stay healthy.

“Food is one less bill I have to worry about right now,” explains one Milwaukee resident. He recently became unemployed because he was hospitalized with a blocked heart artery and nerve neurology complications. Because of these health issues, he quickly became behind on rent and his lights were shut off for a while. When people experience times of transition like this, such as a health crisis or job transition, FoodShare is available to them as a lifeline.

Another Milwaukee resident, Tom, was laid off due to Covid-19. “Unemployment didn’t payout for almost nine months, so I was literally just surviving on $200 worth of food stamps. That was the only thing that fed me, and I actually lost 100 pounds in the process.”

Tom is doing well now, but he wants people to know that they shouldn’t feel shame in asking for help when it comes to feeding themselves. “I use to feel shame when I pulled out my QUEST card, but not anymore. I realized we pay for it! I know that this is where my taxes are going.” We all pay taxes that fund this program, similar to a social security type of benefit. Also, because FoodShare is an entitlement benefit, receiving benefits will never take benefits away from anyone else.

Still, a lot of people report feeling embarrassed when they have to use their cards at the grocery store. Thankfully, adjustments are being made to the FoodShare program to meet a variety of people’s complex circumstances. “You don’t even have to go to the store nowadays,” Tom says. “You can use your FoodShare on Amazon Fresh, or online through Walmart and other grocery stores. I think this is a good step in de-stigmatizing the program and letting people still live with dignity while being able to feed themselves.”

Another major misconception of FoodShare is that it is widely abused. However, the rate of fraud is at an all-time low of 1.6%, and 96.2% of FoodShare households receive the correct amount of benefits. Also, the average length of time on this benefit is less than a year. Cassie Faulks, Directors of Community & Government Relations forr Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, explains: “With this stigma, individuals enrolled in the program may feel judged and may not want to use their FoodShare card, especially if they live in a small town where everyone knows each other.”

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin wants to end this shameful stigma that comes with asking for help. “When we meet with individuals to help with the application, food is never the only issue they are facing,” Cassie says. “While we can’t solve every problem, we can at least get them connected with food and other resources.”

To see if you are eligible for FoodShare benefits or to apply, click here.

To learn more about FoodShare, contact one of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s outreach specialists: