Record number of Americans using food stamps: report

[Guest guest]

Record number of Americans using food stamps: report

Food stamps, the main U.S. antihunger program which helps the needy buy

food, set a record in September as more than 31.5 million Americans used the

program -- up 17 percent from a year ago, according to government data.

The number of people using food stamps in September surpassed the previous

peak of 29.85 million seen in November 2005 when victims of hurricanes

Katrina, Rita and Wilma received emergency benefits, said of the

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service.

September's tally -- the latest month available -- was also boosted by

hurricane and flood aid, said on Wednesday.

But anti-hunger groups said the economic downturn is the main reason behind

the higher figures.

" It's a disturbing trend, " said Ellen Vollinger, legal director with the

Food Research and Action Center. She said she expects more people will turn

to food stamps as unemployment figures rise and the economy remains weak.

One in 10 Americans were participating in the food stamp program as of

September, said Dottie Rosenbaum, analyst with Center on Budget and Policy

Priorities, a think tank.

That's approaching the all-time high of 10.5 percent of the population that

used the program in 1994, and is similar to levels seen in the early 1980s,

she said.

States that have seen a drop in job numbers and increase in home

foreclosures such as Florida and Nevada also have seen a marked increase in

food stamp use, Rosenbaum said.

Food banks are struggling to meet increased requests for food, said Maura

Daly of Feeding America, a network of food banks.

" The tough economic time that our nation is facing is having a tremendous

impact on the level of food assistance needed across the country, " Daly

said.

On average, people who used food stamps received $100 per month in benefits

in September. That increased slightly in October to account for higher food

prices, but hunger groups said the benefits still don't go far enough at a

time of high food prices and home heating costs.

Last month, the USDA said 36.2 million Americans or 11 percent of households

struggle to get enough food to eat, and one-third of them had to sometimes

skip or cut back on meals.

Hunger groups want Congress and the new administration to increase food

stamp benefits as part of an economic stimulus package they hope will come

in early 2009.

The benefits go directly to people who spend it at local grocery stores,

supporting businesses and jobs, said Vollinger of the Food Research and

Action Center.

Rest of article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4B28CB20081203

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Ortiz, RD

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