United States: Dumpster diving for women on welfare

Off Our Backs, Jun 2001 by Lee, Carol, Myers-Spiers, Rebecca

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OREGON-The Adult and Family Services (AFS) division of Oregon's Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a written apology for suggesting that women on welfare "check the dump and residential/business dumpsters" to help make ends meet. This illegal degradation was listed on a "Shopping Tips to Save $" handout distributed to clients primarily in weekly budgeting classes. The "tip sheet" had circulated for four years before a client alerted the press in April 2001. When clients had previously complained to caseworkers, some individual agencies removed the suggestion from the list, but the "tip" remained on handouts at other locations. The lack of lateral communication among AFS agencies led to one woman's arrest while searching a dumpster, and perpetuated the idea that if you are poor, digging in the trash is just as sensible as clipping coupons. In a report submitted to Oregon's elected government officials, DHS expresses "regret for the inappropriate judgment," and vows to "work to improve our sensitivity."

-info from Oregon Department of Human Services memo "Findings from 'Dumpster tip' Investigation" 5/9/01