You make it sound so easy. It really isn't. We foster, so we deal with "the system" daily. These poor parents, trying to get things back together are working

You make it sound so easy. It really isn't. We foster, so we deal with "the system" daily. These poor parents, trying to get things back together are working a system that simply isn't always set up to help them. To get those coupons you speak of, they have to go stand in line during work hours. But they can't miss work because they'll not be able to pay rent. Do they eat? Or do they pay rent? This is an almost daily decision these people have to make. It's not just food coupons, it's meeting requirements[0] that they have to meet to get their family back together, it's all during normal business hours. And before anyone gets to the argument about why they're in that situation, it often is cyclical. Go read up on trauma and trauma informed care (you can start with ACE scores). [0] Counseling, court appearances, etc...