The Rambam (Hilchot Matenot Aniyim 10:18) and the Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 255:1) discuss the importance of finding a means of earning a livelihood so as not to become dependent upon public charity. The Rambam writes (listen to audio clip for direct citation) that one should even accept a difficult job, and even a job beneath his dignity, in order to achieve financial independence. Even a distinguished scholar should not tell the community that it is beneath his dignity to work menial jobs to earn a living, and that he must therefore receive support from the public charity fund. As the Rambam mentions, some of the greatest sages of the Talmud worked as woodcutters, water carriers and the like so that they would not be dependent upon charitable donations. Even if one must skin animal carcasses to earn a living, he should accept such a job rather than rely upon charity.
In this context, the Rambam cites Rabbi Akiva's comment in the Talmud, "Turn your Shabbat into a weekday rather than rely upon other people." Meaning, it is preferable for one to eat on Shabbat as he does on weekdays, rather than ask for charitable donations so that he can afford special delicacies for Shabbat.
The Shulchan Aruch, in the beginning of the section dealing with the laws of Shabbat, qualifies this Halacha, stating that a person who relies on charity for supplemental income must nevertheless spend some extra money for the purpose of honoring Shabbat. When Rabbi Akiva demands that a pauper "turn his Shabbat into a weekday," he refers to somebody who relies entirely on charity. But if a poor person has some money of his own, and he receives charity only to supplement his independent resources, he must use some of his own resources to purchase special delicacies in honor of Shabbat. Of course, charity officials must see to it that people at all levels of the economic scale are provided with the necessary funds for the proper celebration of Shabbat. But from the perspective of the poor person, he must spend some of his own money for the sake of honoring Shabbat, rather than requesting more charity for this purpose.
This Halacha should remind us of the importance of spending money for the sake of Oneg Shabbat (enjoyment of Shabbat). If even a poor person, who receives supplemental income from charity, must allocate some of his limited resources for the honor of Shabbat, then certainly those blessed with affluence must purchase special foods for Shabbat. A person should not skimp when it comes to Shabbat expenses, and complain about how it depletes his financial resources. The Gemara teaches that the Almighty "picks up the bill," so-to-speak, for all our Shabbat and festival expenses. And the Kaf Ha'chayim Sofer cites numerous passages from the Zohar and other sources regarding the importance of this Mitzvah of Oneg Shabbat. Therefore, one should be willing to spend some extra money for special foods and delicacies for Shabbat, for even a poor person is required to buy something extra for Shabbat.
Summary: A poor person who is entirely dependent upon charitable donations may not request additional funds from charity to purchase special foods for Shabbat, even if this means that he will eat on Shabbat as he does on weekdays. However, a poor person who has some money of his own, and takes charity as supplementary income, must allocate some of his limited resources for the purchase of some special food for Shabbat. This teaches us of the importance of spending money for the honor of Shabbat, that one mustn't skimp when it comes to purchasing special foods for Shabbat.
