New foster mother struggling to use food stamps was being mocked at Walmart — until a mom bravely stood up for her
Sometimes, many people struggle a little with basic things when they start something new. During such difficult times, it is not unusual for them to be judged by strangers. Similarly, a mom who had newly taken in foster children was struggling to use food stamps at Walmart when strangers in the line behind her started judging her. But then another mom, Lindsay Rae, stood up for her and decided to help with the food stamps. Rae shared the story of how people were judging a foster mom at the supermarket on Facebook.
Rae was at the supermarket waiting to check out when she saw a woman with five children standing ahead of her. The children were a mix of Caucasian and Spanish, and Rae had not noticed that until someone behind her pointed that out. A couple behind her was saying, "How many baby daddies do you think she has? Can't even dress those kids for the weather. Just wait until she whips out the food stamps." She added, "I looked forward and saw a woman fumbling with separating clothes items, coats and shoes, socks and underwear from the food items with the black plastic separators." The woman in front of Rae had five kids with her; two looked like their mother and were wearing jackets and shoes, while the other three with dark hair were wearing flip-flops and shorts.
"It was true she was struggling with a food stamp card. Didn't know what buttons to use to complete the transaction." The person behind Rae sighed, "There's our tax dollars neatly at work." Rae continued, "I shot them what I can only imagine was the death glare only a mother of 9 can execute to perfection." She then stepped forward to help the mom and shared that she had two biological kids and seven foster kids herself, so she could understand and wanted to help. "She smiled, embarrassed, 'New Foster Mom, this is my first time using one of these. They came 3 days ago, gonna be with us for a while. They gave us food, but the kids needed clothes, but no stipend has come through yet."
Rae explained everything to the foster mom as people behind her snorted. "She handed each child a new coat, loaded up her cart as she left, I side hugged her and told her, 'You have got this.'" When the new foster mom was out of earshot, Rae stepped up and called out the couple for their remarks. "Those children? They lost the right to live with their parents just days ago. Those clothes? Probably the only clothes they own or have to leave their home with. That woman? Opened her home to kids, kids who needed a safe place to go when the one they lived in no longer proved safe enough or secure enough for them. The food stamps, something with health and welfare, help an already mother of two feed three new mouths. There are not nearly enough women or people like her in this world."
She pointed out that even if the woman had a different story, their behavior was very "poor." The couple quietly left the aisle and went to another checkout counter. Her cashier, a single mother on Women, Infants and Children (WIC), applauded her for what she did. Rae expressed, "You foster mamas out there...hold your heads high. You are the hands and hearts that are strong and steady for the small ones when they need it the most. Hats off and so much love today to you." People shared their thoughts in the comments. Tammy Johnson wrote, "Well written, and thank you. People who assume need to be put in their place." Melissa Stam commented, "You are my hero, and I am sitting in my office crying!"