Cecelia, there ARE situations where it is acceptable to accept government help. My point was that, for me, it is unnecessary, by God's grace. If CHILDREN are going hungry, by all means, accept graciously. That is why I pay my taxes. For once, poche makes sense. Be prudent. That's all! It's not about pride. In my "starving college student" years, I used to go dumpster-diving. Now, I don't need to.