The Economy, Food & Food Stamps
posted 11:27 pm Thu May 08, 2008 - Roanoke, VA
reporter:
Amber Davison
posted by:
Webteam
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There are approximately 28-million people on food stamps in this country -- that's about one out of every 11 Americans. Local social services offices are now seeing more people come through their doors, asking for help.
Roanoke County's office has seen a 25-percent increase in its food stamp program since last year. We Davison talks to one single mother who says her monthly allotment just isn't lasting the whole month. Michelle Nance - "It's sad. I just wish the world would get better."
Michelle Nance has two growing children. She says with food prices being what they are... they're eating a lot of rice and macaroni these days.
Michelle Nance, Gets Food Stamps - "Since the food has went up, it's awful! You can take $100 and it's gone with what, five or six items now-a-days."
Like so many others in our area, Nance says she has no choice but to rely on food stamps to put food on the table. But lately, even those aren't doing the job.
Nance - "Right now I'm using assistance. Because it's hard for me a get a job."
She's not alone.
Penny Hall, Roanoke Co. Social Services - "We see a lot of people who, first-time people, who would've never came through our doors and now are kind of swallowing their pride a little bit and coming in to get that assistance."
Hall says benefits are adjusted every October, based on the federal food inflation rate. So while recipients have watched their grocery bills soar since last fall, the rate of food stamps has stayed the same.
Nance - "They wouldn't even give my grandma nothing but $10 in food stamps and I'm like, '$10? What is she going to do with $10?!' She can't even by a loaf of bread, that's almost $10 now!"
Hall - "We've had a lot of people who typically wouldn't have come in for $10 a month. And now are coming in. The need is driving them to come in and get that $10."
Michelle Nance is taking anything she can get, but says something needs to change -- fast.
Nance - "Come down off these prices. For real. We can't afford it. It's hard already."
You've surely noticed food prices have gotten higher, but do you realize how much they are compared to just a year ago? The average cost of eggs is up 35-percent, milk 23-percent and bread is up 16-percent.
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