When he looked at the shopper’s grocery cart, he grew so angered that he couldn’t help but snap a quick photo of it. Although for him, this was just a regular shopping day at the supermarket, he had no idea that it would make him so furious. It wasn’t the line at the checkout counter or people fighting over the discounted products… It wasn’t the screaming kids and the mothers that allowed them to yell around the aisles. It was this man’s shopping cart that made him lose it.
A Family Man
Patrick Gibson enlisted in the U.S. Army, thinking his life could get easier, and he could support his family. Although it was difficult for him to leave them home for months and serve his country, he knew that he had to work. After all, nothing in life is free.
Lucky
When he met Whitney, Patrick knew he was a lucky man. They fell in love and shortly after, they got married. And now, after a few years, he was now the father of two beautiful kids, a girl and a boy. But life was tough for the Gibsons…
Difficult Time
With only Patrick able to work while Whitney cared for the kids, the family had some tough times. They had to make with what they had. Sometimes, Patrick even skipped breakfast to make sure his kids would have enough to eat. When you’ve got to feed four mouths, you need more than what he was able to earn.
Making Ends Meet
It was difficult for the family to make ends meet, but he was happy that they were all healthy and together. They’ll manage, he thought. With the little money he still had from his paycheck, Patrick went to the local Walmart to get some groceries. That’s when it happened…
The Right Products
As he walked around the aisles and carefully placed the products that were discounted or cheaper, Patrick reached the produce section. He looked at the red grapes and thought of surprising his kids with something tasty and healthy. Smiling at that thought, Patrick headed towards the aisle. His smile soon vanished.
Happy Kids
Patrick thought his kids would be happy when they’d see the red grapes and the candy he bought them. He made sure not to overspend so he could afford to pay the entire cart. As he headed towards the cashier, he spotted a shopper…
The Checkout Line
The dad was looking at the list and thinking about the products he may have forgotten to buy, as he slowly walked towards the checkout line. But something caught his attention as he was trying to figure out how much his groceries cost and whether he could buy extra products or not.
Another Cart
Different from what most carts in Walmart looked like, a cart close to him was stuffed high with products. A bit envious, he glanced at the groceries, spotting fresh steaks, butter, shrimp, cheese, lobster and various items that he considered to be luxury products. Then, right in front of that cart, another one was also as stacked as the one he spotted.
Must Cost a Lot
Thinking how nice it would have been to afford all that food, Patrick mumbled to himself that it “must be nice.” He looked at the people unloading their products as he waited in line. But when it was time to pay, Patrick didn’t expect to see the man do this instead...
All Packed And Ready To Pay
The couple in front of him packed their groceries, waiting for the price to show up on the screen. It was around $800! It was when the man pulled up his walled to pay for the groceries that Patrick’s jaw simply dropped!
The Cash
The shopper opened his wallet and pushed aside his $100 bills, reaching for something else. Meanwhile, Patrick thought that maybe these groceries were for a whole month. Aside from some luxury items, it seemed like this was what a household usually needs. But when Patrick saw the man’s wallet, he got confused.
Even the Cashier Was Taken Aback
The cashier was waiting to get the money and was taken aback when she saw the man skip the bills. She thought he’d pay with a card. Instead, the man chose a completely different way to pay for his bills. Patrick and the cashier exchanged confused looks. Then, he got so angry that he could barely control himself!
Keeping the Cash For Something Else
Patrick thought that maybe this man was trying to hold onto the bills to pay something else. Surely he’d pay with a credit card. However, Patrick was wrong! The man did pull out a card from his wallet, but it was not a credit card!
The Cashier Couldn’t Believe It
The cashier’s eyes went wide, and she was surprised that she once again looked at Patrick, whose jaw instantly dropped when he saw what was happening. Then, he noticed what card this man used to pay his $800 bill and his blood started to boil.
He Took Out His Phone
Angered when he noticed the card, Patrick took out his phone and snapped a couple of photos. He thought he’d share his frustration with his family and friends, but they suggested he should post the photos online for everyone to see it. His post went viral! What was wrong with the man’s card?
It Wasn’t a Regular Card
The shopper that had bought $800 worth of groceries paid with an EBT card. The electronic benefits card is an electronic food stamp system issued by the state welfare departments. It is used to buy certain food, and, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, it is given to individuals that are “at or below 130 percent of the poverty line.”
Luxury Items
Patrick was sure that lobster, shrimp, and other luxury items from the man’s cart weren’t included in the list of accepted items. He was angry that the man’s wallet was filled with $100 bills and seemed totally able to pay for his groceries without needing an EBT card. So Patrick stepped in!
Snapping the Photo
Thinking about his own struggles and trying his best not to burst in a fit of rage, Patrick bit his tongue. He snapped a photo and tried his best not to confront the couple. But what he saw in the Walmart parking lot angered him to the point of no return.
The Final Straw
Patrick has struggled to provide his family with enough money so they could make ends meet. He and his wife made sure their children were well provided for. Now, looking at this couple, he felt betrayed. It was his duty to make things right, he thought…
Struggling Families
Most military families qualify for an EBT card but not all get to be part of the program, so they’re left without the much-needed food. Patrick was one of these families that didn’t get an EBT card. Meanwhile, this couple had such a card and looked like they weren’t struggling at all. Angered, Patrick paid for his groceries and went to his car. There, he saw the couple reaching their vehicle!
Loading the Groceries
Carrying his three bags of groceries, Patrick walked towards his car in frustration. Then, he spotted the couple who had reached their vehicle. That was some lousy timing… You won’t believe what he saw next!
Trying to Forget About It
It wasn’t worth being mad over something he couldn’t control, thought Patrick. But as he was trying to shake off all that bottled up anger, he saw what car this couple owned. This was too much, thought Patrick. He’d make this couple famous.
A New Car
The couple that had just paid their $800 worth of groceries with an EBT card was now loading their bags into their brand-new Hyundai Genesis. Patrick’s jaw dropped once again when he realized that the couple could own such an expensive car but didn’t use their money to buy their groceries.
Welfare
How could they afford such an expensive car if they were on welfare, asked Patrick on social media? It was an insult to all of those that needed the card. If you’re not into cars, a new Hyundai Genesis is quite a nice car, but its price is indeed too high for those on welfare.
His Blood Was Boiling
Angered that this couple took advantage of something that could be used by those in need, Patrick took his outrage on Facebook. There, he wrote a long message accompanied by the photos of the couple’s cart. Here’s his message and the public’s reaction.
“I Had to Vent”
Patrick started writing his Facebook post. “Sorry but I had to vent,” he began his rant. “The picture you see on the left is the amount of groceries including diapers that I was able to afford this pay period for my family (wife, son, daughter,my self) which was paid in cash since I actually work hard for a living.” Then, he wrote about the couple’s groceries.
The Cart In Front Of Him
“The picture on the right is of the purchase in front of me in line. If you can’t tell in the picture there are 2 full buggies of groceries including such items like steak and some other very nice choices of food. Here’s the kicker. This purchase was made in food stamps,” Patrick added before mentioning the car.
The EBT Card and the Brand New Hyundai Genesis
Patrick explained that he didn’t have a problem with the man’s cart, but then he saw “the person move their big fold of cash out of the way to get to the ebt card and then load them into the back of a brand new Hyundai Genesis.” Then, he carried on…
An Expensive Car
“That is about 15k-20k more than my car,” Patrick wrote in his post, adding that “I just thought I would take the time to tell this person/family that you are very welcome from all of us hard-working/ struggling to buy food Americans that have to foot the bill for your fancy steak feast... “The comment section was filled with people siding with Patrick.
Positive Comments
People joined Patrick in the comment section and told him that they’d seen similar moments. However, some Facebook users told Patrick that he shouldn’t have judged that couple so fast. “Do you really know their back story?” asked one person, making a valid statement.
The Backstory
The person told Patrick that maybe the car had been a gift. Although Patrick felt like an injustice has been made that day, that person on Facebook explained that no matter how angry he was, he shouldn’t be quick to pass judgement onto someone.
The Bills
“How do you know if that person works and their spouse doesn’t work because of problems? That all the money in their pocket is to pay their bills that the new car was a gift. How do you know that’s not the case?” someone asked. Patrick had the perfect answer.
The Same Odds
Patrick’s answer was pretty blunt: “Well, the odds of that being the case in this situation much like many other situations with food stamps are almost as likely as me being approved for some government assistance because we are struggling…” Then, he added another detail about his own situation.
A Free Life
“Oh wait I forgot. We already got denied so I’m pretty sure the chick isn’t dying and no one gave her a free damn car. I am sure that hard-working people such as myself are giving her a free life though,” added Patrick. His post instantly went viral.
Viral on Social Media
With over 100,000 shares and hundreds of comments on his Facebook post, Patrick’s story went viral. Some people sided with him, while others tried to justify the couple’s need for government assistance. However, another person raised a valid point.
Biased
Another person pointed out that a “picture paints a thousand words and your version is highly biased.” The Facebook user added that “no one needs to thank you or anyone else for working for their grocery bill when the fact is that a majority of families participating in the program are working families struggling to make ends meet just as you are.” The issue of financial assistance and who gets to qualify for it is still a topic that has caused many arguments all over the country.