Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I go to 7-Eleven Stores about three times a week. I want to know why 7-Eleven doesn't accept food stamps for microwaveable cold food. All other stores do. Can you please explain? Food stamps not legal
for food that can be
heated at the storeAnswer: It doesn't accept food stamps for those foods because there is a microwave oven in each store for customers to heat the food and eat it immediately.
"We'd love to accept" the food stamps, but are "governed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which handles the food stamp program," explained Susan Ogata, marketing manager for 7-Eleven Hawaii.
She noted that each 7-Eleven store posts information from the USDA's Food and Consumer Service Division that briefly explains what is acceptable and not acceptable for food stamp purchases.
Federal regulations say food stamps cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages and tobacco; lunch counter items or foods to be eaten in the store; vitamins or medicines; pet foods; any nonfood items (such as soaps, paper products, laundry products, grooming items, and cosmetics); hot foods that are ready to eat; and any food marketed to be heated in the store.
Microwaveable foods that you purchase in the supermarkets are intended to be taken home to be eaten, Ogata noted, while many of the foods sold at 7-Eleven Stores are intended to be heated on the premises and eaten immediately.
For more information on food stamps, call the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service locally at 541-2857 (P.O. Box 50012, Honolulu 96850) or call the USDA's toll-free number, 1-800-221-5689.
Q: How does the American Civil Liberties Union obtain its funding?
A: More than 90 percent of its funding comes from contributions by private individuals, according to Vanessa Chong, executive director of the ACLU of Hawaii.
"We do not accept government funds, in order to maintain our independence," she said.
The ACLU is part of a national organization and "we do get a portion of membership fees," as well as a "very small" portion from attorney's fees and the occasional trust and foundation grants, Chong said.
This year, the local ACLU's budget is $360,000, which covers legislative activities, litigation and public education programs, she said.
Call the local ACLU at 522-5900 if you want more information or to make a donation.
Auwe
To the irresponsible and cowardly man who struck one of two dogs at 9 :15 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, on Keolu Drive in Kailua. You only stopped because I ran after your car and you fled after learning I was not the owner. I wish I was able to get your license. It would have been a pleasure to turn you into police and the humane society. -- Patricia
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Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
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Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
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