Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in September 2016.
Army Dad Sparks Debate Over EBT Grocery Purchase
Patrick Gibson, an army personnel, visited his local Walmart when he noticed the couple in front of him with two overflowing shopping carts.
Social Media Post
Gibson snapped photos of the carts and shared a collage online. He captioned the post: “The picture on the left shows what I could afford this pay period for my family, including diapers.”
Hard Work and Family Struggles
He explained that he works hard to support his wife and two children. “The picture on the right is the purchase in front of me. There are two full buggies of groceries, including steak and other high-end items,” he wrote.
EBT Controversy
Gibson added that the purchase was made using food stamps (EBT). His concern wasn’t the EBT use itself but seeing the shopper move a large stack of cash aside to use the card. He watched the groceries loaded into a brand-new Hyundai Genesis, noting it was $15,000 to $20,000 more expensive than his car.
Photo of Patrick Gibson and another man from his Facebook account, Photo Credit: Facebook/Patrick Gibson
Frustration Shared Online
“I just wanted to tell this family: you are very welcome from all of us hard-working Americans footing the bill while I skip meals to feed my family. Enjoy your $800 free grocery purchase,” Gibson wrote.
Public Reaction
Many commenters agreed, emphasizing that welfare abuse frustrates those in need. Some argued that food stamps should support families facing real hardships.
However, others criticized Gibson’s assumptions. “Do you really know their backstory? Don’t judge someone based on appearances,” one commenter warned.
Gibson’s Response
Gibson defended his post: “We can pretend everything is fine, but so many people abuse the system meant for struggling families. If we can’t acknowledge the problem, how can it be fixed? A brand-new car as a gift and $800 in food stamps? It doesn’t add up.”
Ongoing Debate
The post sparked discussion about welfare, responsibility, and public perception. While some supported Gibson’s frustration, others stressed caution before making assumptions about others’ circumstances.
