Use or Abuse?

[MichaelHarris]

I live in a fairly affluent town in eastern Washington, mostly college educated with a large population holding advanced degrees. The University here has a lot of graduate students. In my ten or 12 years here I've only seen 3 people using food stamps and/or WIC cards. Back in Texas it was very common to see families in line using assistance.

All of the people I've seen use them here I've seen taking classes on campus, all three have children. In all three instances I was behind the people in line and went out after them. They all drove very nice vans or SUVs, pretty new vehicles. My wife said it's common for graduate students to be on food stamps.

I know it sounds like I'm against this but I really have no opinion other than wondering what route I would take in this situation. Would I look for better employment to care for my family, or would I get an education? Was the WIC and Food Stamp program designed for kids to use while in college? The student population at WSU is not known to be poor, the students either come from the west side around Seattle of from the wheat-rich farming community.

What are you thoughts on students using food assistant programs?