This morning I read the North Country Now survey comments regarding “lunch shamin” at Canton CSD. I am absolutely stunned by some of the responses.

First, as of 2016, New York State spent $22,366 per pupil each year, the second closest is the District of Columbia. This amount is more than many people earn in a year. Roughly 14% of families live in poverty in New York State, this number is higher for single parent households, minority households and households with a disabled parent.

Earlier this summer, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would terminate broad based categorical eligibility for SNAP recipients, a move that would cut nutritional assistance for an estimated 3.1 million of the 36 million Americans currently enrolled in the program. SNAP eligibility rules require that participants be at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. 130 percent of the poverty line for a three-person family is $2,213 a month, or about $26,600 a year! Recent studies show that 44% of all SNAP participants are children (age 18 or younger), with almost two-thirds of SNAP children living in single-parent households.

In total, 76% of SNAP benefits go towards households with children, 11.9% go to households with disabled persons, and 10% go to households with senior citizens. In 2017, the average SNAP client received a monthly benefit of $126. Imagine, living on roughly $26K a year, and receiving $126 a month to feed your children. Additionally, the president’s proposed budget also eliminated funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which assists people who need help paying their energy bills.

Again - how far can $26K stretch? The stark reality is that Northern New York has even higher numbers of families living in poverty than inner cities throughout the state. These numbers aren't made up, fictional numbers, or "fake news" this is the stark reality of poverty in our times.

Blaming parents for not being "able" to feed their children is abhorrent! Also claiming that "if you can't afford them - then don't have them!" If you are so anti-assistance, then are you also Pro-Choice?

Allowing women and their partners to make educated decisions regarding family size, or if it makes sense to bring another child into this world? Do you blame a woman for getting pregnant (of course it is all her fault) and then do you condemn her for making the choice that is best for her?

How about comprehensive sexual education? Do you believe in abstinence only education and then blame a teen when they get pregnant? Then you are the problem! You cannot have it both ways. You can't condemn reasonable birth control (including abortion) and then decry the family that is later impoverished because of this choice.

Canton CSD could very easily cut money from their athletic programs (I realize that sports do play a large role in the development of children - but at what cost?) They didn't need snazzy concession stands, or a world class football field. If this school cannot find $14,000 in their annual budget, while receiving over $22,00 per student per year then maybe it is time for new leadership. It appears to me that the priorities of this district (and the North Country) are off the rails.

Matt Thompson

Potsdam