Gifts of money/gift cards

[matey]

My SIL likes to send me gift cards to the local health food store. I know she does it because she makes a lot more than us (she's a dr.) and her and my brother have no children. They really enjoy our children. I don't have a strong relationship with my brother. Lots of weird family background---which may play into this. We only see them about 2 times per year. They have been very supportive about me staying home despite the financial burden. 

When she started doing it, we were not receiving food stamps, so it really was a help. Since we now have a second child, we are receving food stamps. We don't really need the money now. She sends us large amounts, like $200.00. She sent us a $200.00 gift card to the health food store about a month and a half ago and then today another one came in the mail.

 We have really tried to show our appreciation with thank you cards, pictures of the kids, drawing by my son, and homemade treats. But now that we are on food stamps I feel bad about it. When I have been a little weird about it before they expained how much they wanted to help us. Should I tell her we are on food stamps and that we don't need it anymore? Give her an option? Or just shut up and let it happen?

[34me]

I would recieve them graciously and stock pile.  There may come a time when you are no longer on food stamps, or when you recieve less.  My sister used to send us a check every once in a while out of the blue too.

[zebra15]

Honestly, you do "need" them. FS is not meant to cover everything. I get FS and there is so much more I could buy if I had gift cards on occassion.  Foodstamps are supplemental and trust me they can be cut/cancelled at any time. My amount changes every time we go for re-certification.  Last time my amount changed by  more than $100 and it was NOT an increase.

Continue to send Thank-You but I wouldnt mention the FS (odds are they already have a sense of something).

[lmonter]

Originally Posted by 34me 

I would recieve them graciously and stock pile.  There may come a time when you are no longer on food stamps, or when you recieve less. 

Yes to this.  Roll with the graciousness of the season.  ;)  And when they visit, maybe surprise them with something homemade and super yummy.
 

[matey]

Thanks all. I do forget that food stamps are supposed to supplement. We are receiving more in fs than we used to budget for in a month so we have been able to shop more freely than ever. I t would reaaly be a blow to get less in fs. I will continue to be thankful and gracious.

[HappyMommy2]

I agree with continuing to accept the gifts and being thankful.

Does your health food store have stuff like Emergen-C and Cold Calm?  Those things are expensive and super handy in the winter!!

Also, I'm not sure what you can't get on FS, but our HFS has Tom's Toothpaste and other "drug store" things.

You are lucky!  I could spend that so quickly at my store!!