The Recession and Food Stamps

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Story Published: Mar 31, 2008 at 5:33 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 12:21 PM MST

By Anthony Congi

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With the cost of groceries higher than ever and still going up. People in Eastern Idaho are looking for some help during the hard times. But many people who need the help aren't even aware that they can get it.

Food banks such as the Idaho Community Food Bank are definitely feeling the effects of the economy's recession. The group has reported a ten percent increase in users every month this year.

In January alone, the food bank saw over seventeen-hundred people come through their door looking for a little bit of help.

Buck Horton, Chairman-Idaho Falls Comm. Food Bank: "Those who probably haven't been in need before, with the economy being what it is, are starting to require the use of these services".

Food banks such as this are generally used only for a short time. In fact, those who *have the vouchers that allow them to use the facility, can only use them six times in six months.

And for some people their entire paycheck goes toward the rising cost of everyday essentials and living.

Tom Shanahan-Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare: "They have to put more of their dollars that they earn toward food, toward utilities, for gas... If something goes up quite a bit, the more their check goes to those necessities".

State workers say that with the spiraling economy, more people are applying for government food stamps. Generally a hundred fifty thousand people apply each year, but in January alone, ninety-seven thousand applied, a record for the state of Idaho.

Shanahan: "It is a benefit thats tied to the economy. When the economy does suffer a little bit, more people come to our door looking for help".

But generally, most who apply are not approved because they don't qualify. One low month usually means you can't get the aid. Most people who qualify for food stamps don't actually know it. Thirty-eight percent of people in Idaho can qualify.

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