Describe mr. mitchells explanation if "signing" for food. Is it the same as byrons?

Wilona asks Byron and Kenny to go to the store and get a few things for dinner. Rather than giving them money, she tells them to sign for the food; the Watsons will then pay the grocer, Mr. Mitchell, on the next payday. Byron takes this arrangement as a sign that the Watsons are on welfare, even though they are not, and complains. Wilona scolds him, saying that food is food and that they have eaten welfare food in the house before. The boys have no choice but to listen to her and go to the store.