Use of food stamps rises

Officials say sagging economy is the reason

BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER

OTTUMWA — The stomach doesn’t care about money or food stamps nor the receipts, bills and identification needed to qualify for assistance. It has only one need — food.

Iowans grow and produce a lot of food but there are at least 128,400 households in Iowa that don’t have enough to eat and they filed for food-stamp assistance.

The 128,400 households represent a 14.8 increase over last year, according to Roger Munns, public information officer for the Iowa Department of Human Services.

“The rise is due almost entirely to the sagging economy,” Munns told the Courier.

But, a rise in food-stamp use doesn’t always indicate bad times. Munns said increased numbers can happen “during good times.”

“The reason then is the department is getting more efficient in reaching people who are eligible,” he said.

Last month there were 279,000 recipients, a 13.6 percent increase over the same month last year. These recipients spent about $30 million on food last month, Munns said.

“Food-stamp benefits are 100 percent federal dollars,” he added.

As of Oct. 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service Web site.

The rapid rise in SNAP/Food Stamp participation should “serve as a wake-up call to both Iowa and national leaders,” according to officials at the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

FRAC is a national nonprofit organization working to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and undernutrition in the United States.

“Far too many Iowa families are struggling to put food on the table, and the problem requires immediate attention,” said Jim Weill, FRAC’s president. “The strength of SNAP/Food Stamps lies in its ability to respond quickly to meet increased need, whether due to economic downturns or natural disasters.”

Local and area food pantries are seeing more hungry people.

Janice Bolger supervises the Appanoose County Lord’s Cupboard and said she’s “seeing more people than usual.” In November ,185 people received supplies and the average for November is 127.

“This increase coincides with this season when people share more stuff. I’ve shared that with a lot of churches and they’re helping,” Bolger said. “Can we do [a higher number] consistently? I don’t know.”

Bolger buys food once a month from the Food Bank of Southern Iowa in Ottumwa.

“That really helps and can make money go farther,” she added.

Neal Abbott has noticed a stronger demand for food. He’s the executive director of Food Bank of Southern Iowa, Inc., which supplies many of Lord’s Cupboards and other church pantries in southeast Iowa.

“We deliver to 13 counties and we’re probably up 20 percent in the pounds we put out,” he said.

Both Bolger and Abbott said they accept food donations, such as canned or dry goods, and monetary offerings are also welcomed.

Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.

On the Internet

To view a copy of the Food Assistance Program state summary, go online to:

http://publications.iowa.gov/6798/1/F-1_2008-11_November.pdf

For information about the Food Research Action Center, go online to:

http://www.frac.org