The Weekly Food Research and Action Center News Digest highlights what's new on hunger, nutrition and poverty issues at FRAC, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around the network of national, state and local anti-poverty and anti-hunger organizations, and in the media. The Digest will alert you to trends, reports, news items and resources and, when available, link you directly to them.
1. Free School Lunches Going to More Students
(Yahoo! News/AP, December 11, 2008)
“One of the easiest things families can look to for support is the school nutrition program,” said FRAC’s Crystal FitzSimons, commenting on the fact that more families are signing up for free and reduced-price school lunches during this rocky economy. During the 2006-07 school year, the National School Lunch Program served more than 30 million children, and this year, almost 80 percent of schools surveyed by the School Nutrition Association report an increase in free lunches served. School nutrition programs are covered in the Child Nutrition Act, up for reauthorization in 2009. Senator Tom Harkin, chair of the Senate Agricultural Committee, wants school nutrition to help battle obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure in low-income children.
Click here for report.
2. Food Banks Promote Food Stamps in Response to Increased Demand
(New York Times, December 10, 2008)
Food banks across the country are helping people become aware of and sign up for food stamps in order to help meet the needs of more and more people requesting emergency food. “We’re really focused in two directions,” said Peggy Grimes, executive director of the Montana Food Bank Network. “You can’t just keep feeding people without looking for ways to help make their life better.” The Food Bank of Central Florida sends teams equipped with laptops and food stamp applications to food pantries, helping people sign up for food stamps and letting them know about other programs that can help, like earned income tax credit. People aren’t applying, said Dave Krepcho, executive director, mostly because they don’t know about the programs. People who used to be donors to the Atlanta Community Food Bank are now calling the executive director, Bill Bolling, and asking for help. “That’s disquieting to hear those calls,” he said, adding that he has never seen anything like the current economic situation.
3. Georgia Food Stamp Participation Skyrockets
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 12, 2008)
Georgia’s food stamp participation jumped 18.4 percent (an additional 73,153 cases) in October 2008 as compared to the same month in 2007, a signal that even more people are struggling with food insecurity during these troubled economic times. The total dollar amount of food stamps sent in October was $130 million. Since July this year, Georgia has added 10,000 new food stamp applicants a month to the rolls, for an October total of 468,848 total across the state. New recipients are “car salesmen, carpenters, factory workers and office workers,” according to advocates, who forecast the numbers to climb even more. According to Mark Washington, head of the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) – which is in charge of food stamps, Georgia’s rising unemployment and home foreclosures are driving people to apply for the benefit, which goes to a broad sampling of the population, including senior citizens, the disabled, individuals and families with children. Radames Colon, a 46-year-old Jonesboro resident, applied for food stamps after he lost his job of 11 years with the city of Atlanta; his fiancée had been laid off a week earlier from her job as sales manager at a call center. Mr. Colon’s $4,000 in saving didn’t last very long, as he had to spend it during unpaid medical leave for an enlarged heart, and he’s currently a month behind in rent and car payments. DCFS recently began accepting applications online at www.compass.ga.gov, making it possible for people to apply at libraries, food pantries, and charities as well as in their homes.
4. Hunger in Missouri Drives More to Federal Food Programs, Economic Recovery Package Needs to Boost Food Stamps
(stjoenews.net, December 6, 2008)
USDA’s recent report on hunger in America showed 13 percent of Missourians “struggled with food insecurity” in 2007, prompting this letter to the editor from Christine Woody, hunger task force coordinator for the Missouri Association for Social Welfare. “Those numbers do not include those who are facing tougher times in 2008,” she writes, noting that “food stamp and WIC offices, social service agencies, and emergency food providers” across Missouri report increased demand. “This shows us that growing economic troubles are overwhelming our community’s first responders to hunger,” she writes, and urges for a boost in SNAP/Food Stamp benefits as part of the next economic stimulus package. Economists “from across the political spectrum” support such a boost because it would bring the highest return per dollar to the economy in addition to providing much-needed help to low-income communities.
5. Florida Counties See Food Stamp Surge
(First Coast News, December 11, 2008)
Florida’s Duval County now has 93,461 people on food stamps, and applications are up 26 percent from a year ago. Smaller counties in the state also saw major increases, including 35 percent in Clay County and 52 percent in St. Johns County. The state’s Department of Children and Families (DCF), in response to the increase, started a new Web site titled Access Florida which helps people see if they qualify for food stamps. It also allows them to apply for the benefit online. “At times like these, when the economy is very challenged, the need for social services is stronger than ever,” said Erich Spivey of DCS.
6. Oregon’s Hunger Numbers Near Highest in Nation
(Mail Tribune, November 19, 2008)
USDA figures showing Oregon’s hunger (also known as very low food security) rate at 5.5 percent puts the state among the hungriest in the nation in 2007, along with Mississippi, Maine, South Carolina and Georgia. Experts believe even more people in 2008 are skipping meals, eating less, and worried about food at the end of the month. “In 2005 and 2007 this was how much worse it was getting. How much more so is it going to get with all the indicators – job loss, increase in food, fuel and housing costs?” asked Mark Edwards, an Oregon State University sociologist and expert in hunger issues. “With all the things that have happened in the past 11 months, we can certainly anticipate that the situation has gotten worse.” Many more are experiencing “very low food security.” “We’re not talking about people who just forgot their lunch one day,” said Edwards. “People are telling us ‘The food we bought just didn’t last and we didn’t have money to get more. Or ‘We were coming to the end of the month and I had to go without eating so my kids could eat.’” Some current statistics hint at the extent of the problem in 2008: according to the Oregon Department of Human Services, the district including Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass and Cave Junction experienced a 26 percent increase in families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in October 2008 compared to October 2007. Also, food stamp households increased 19 percent during the same period. And, area food banks report increases in demand of 25 to 30 percent in low-income areas in White City and west Medford.
7. Report Shows Food Insecurity Up in Rhode Island
(turnto10.com, November 24, 2008)
One in six Rhode Island children live in a “food insecure” household – one that struggles to provide adequate food - according to the 2008 “Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island” issued by the Rhode Island Community Food Bank last month. The bad economy, high state unemployment, and rising food costs mean that more families are struggling with hunger and poverty. However, almost half of residents eligible for food stamps have not applied for the benefit, prompting the report to recommend procedure changes to make food stamp application easier.
Link to report: http://static.mgnetwork.com/jar/StatusReportonHunger.pdf
8. Food Stamp Participation Rises in Maryland
(Hometown Annapolis.com, November 24, 2008)
Even a “rich state” like Maryland is seeing the effects of poverty and hunger. FRAC’s recent State of the States report found that food stamp participation increased in the state by 45 percent between August 2003 and August 2008 – rising from 263,000 people to 382,000. This op-ed suggests the number may be higher; in 2005 “only 41 percent of the state’s working poor use food stamps,” most likely because many do not know about the benefit.
(scroll down web site for article)
9. More Donors in Pennsylvania Now Lining Up for Social Services
(Daily American, November 17, 2008)
“The need is creeping up the socio-economic ladder” as “[p]eople who used to donate are now in line asking for help,” said Community Action Association of Pennsylvania’s Communications Director Joe Ostrander. The organization’s data show 1.2 million residents are without access to adequate food; food stamps and food pantries across the state are being used by more and more people, and more than one million Pennsylvanians are eligible for food stamps. “I think senior citizens are hit the hardest,” said Marilyn Albright of a local Salvation Army chapter. In addition, a record 10,500 people sought help from a mortgage assistance program.
10. Indiana Extends Food Stamp Recertification to One Year
(Herald Bulletin, November 22, 2008)
Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has extended the time period for recertification, meaning food stamp recipients will need to get recertified once a year instead of every six months. For elderly and disabled clients, recertification moves to every 24 months. According to Elizabeth Surgener at FSSA, this change will eliminate 21,667 recertification phone interviews each month, or 260,000 annually, and will reduce paperwork and create a more efficient system. Also, in January 2009 the 16-page food stamp application will be reduced to six pages. Medicaid and TANF clients will no longer need a phone interview for recertification, which will eliminate an additional 11,000 calls a month, or 130,000 a year. Indiana’s privatized welfare system, functioning in 12 pilot counties, has been criticized recently as needy residents using the new system reported losing services. The changes, which will eliminate a total of 390,000 phone interviews a year, “[are] not the result of complaints…it’s really a result of our ongoing efforts to continuous (sic) improve our performance and delivery of services to Hoosiers,” said Surgener. While many welcome the changes, some are not convinced they’ll help. “We still think it’s going to be a system that’s going to have a lot of problems,” said Denny Lanane of United Senior Action, who believes the complaints swayed the state to make the changes.
11. Massachusetts Agency Promotes Food Stamps with Help from Project Bread Grant
(Cambridge Chronicle, November 25, 2008)
The Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC) recently received more than $15,000 from Project Bread to provide food stamp outreach which will help more families “take advantage” of the program. A recent CEOC survey of 204 residents found that more than 95 percent did not have enough money to buy adequate, nutritious food for their families. The grant “provides the CEOC with the resources to respond to the increasing need that low-income and working poor families are experiencing as they struggle to balance ‘heating and eating,’” said CEOC executive director Elaine DeRosa. Through the grant, CEOC can help clients sign up for the benefit in their own neighborhoods and provide one-on-one assistance and translation services if needed. CEOC uses an online food stamp application, developed by the Department of Transitional Assistance, called Virtual Gateway. The grant comes at a time in which more people are eligible for food stamps due to changes in the program, and monthly benefits have been increased. For senior citizens, that means approximately $1,440 a year. “It can certainly help a senior living on a fixed income buy more nutritious food,” said Ellen Parker, Project Bread’s executive director. Food stamps “are a win-win-win because they help a family put food on the tables while they also bring money to the local economy,” she added. “That family is spending their benefits to buy food at a grocery store, which helps that grocer and, ultimately, the state.” The Project Bread has provided food stamp outreach grants totaling $229,800 to 18 community organizations across the state.
12. EBT Cards Help Distribute Disaster Food Stamps in Five States
(Webwire, November 16, 2008)
California, Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington helped provide food assistance to victims of natural disasters over the past year through the Disaster Food Stamp Program. Nearly $250 million in Disaster Food Stamps was delivered through the assistance of EBT cards, effective because “they provide benefit recipients with immediate access to assistance,” according to Laurie Neill, managing director of Public Sector Solutions at J.P. Morgan. The cards helped provide $208 million in emergency benefits to 609,595 households affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in Louisiana; this was one of the largest disaster food stamp issuances in history.
Two major storms hit Indiana this year. In June, almost 3,000 households received $3.3 million in disaster food stamp benefits in response to severe flooding in the state; in October, more than $17.6 million was provided to 50,000 households after September flooding in two counties.
Nebraska victims of floods and power outages received nearly $11 million in benefits – to 23,557 households – to help recover from a series of storms in nine locations. "People who might not ordinarily qualify for benefits may be eligible under the Disaster Food Stamp Program if they have had disaster damage to their homes, expenses related to protecting their homes, lost income as a result of the disaster, or have no access to bank accounts or other resources,” said Todd Landry, director of the Division of Children and Family Services in Nebraska’s DHHS.
Washington initiated the “Feed Washington’s Families” Disaster Food Stamp Program in response to the “worst floods and windstorms in Southwest Washington’s recorded history.” The state distributed $4.6 million in food stamp benefits to 17,000 households.
13. In-Classroom Breakfast Piloted in Some Montana Schools
(Great Falls Tribune, November 21, 2008)
Breakfast participation in Great Falls School District is low, with only 24 percent of elementary, 10 percent of middle-school and four percent of high school students participating. A pilot program serving breakfast in the classroom at one of the district’s schools – Chief Joseph - may start turning the numbers around. “We’re hoping that encourages kids to eat, said principal Michelle Meredith. “A lot of times, kids don’t eat because they’re not ready to. They just aren’t ready to get up and eat the second their feet hit the floor.” Meredith started working with the district’s food services director two years ago to implement in-classroom breakfast, after hearing of its success in Missoula. Regular breakfast programs require students to show up early, which keeps children from participating. Serving breakfast in the classroom helps teachers like Tanya Lauckner, who noted that her kindergartners were hungry an hour after arriving at class; “It’s hard to keep their concentration, (with them) wanting to know when lunch and snack time is,” she said. The students also are pleased, as their eyes light up when they’re served their food. “It helps you learn,” noted one kindergartner at Chief Joseph Elementary School.
14. Wisconsin Agencies Feeding More Hungry Children
(Green Bay Press Gazette, November 19, 2008)
Experts say the greater Green Bay, Wisc. area is experiencing an increase in hungry and homeless children that is similar to communities across the country. Green Bay schools and day care centers are responding by providing meals and snacks to children. For some, it may be their only meal of the day, a fact brought up during a recent tour of schools by the Brown County Homeless and Housing Coalition. The tour’s goal was to raise local officials’ awareness of issues related to homelessness and poverty. Ten years ago, extreme hunger and homelessness were not talked about because they were not issues said one local child care provider. Alison Draheim with the Green Bay School District said the district has identified 400 to 450 homeless students so far this year, compared to 617 for the previous year. According to Draheim, today's totals put the district on pace to top that number. Schools also report that students are coming to class without supplies, and teachers are providing students with “clothes, coats, combs…even toothbrushes for students who don’t have them.”
15. Number of Homeless Students Spikes in D.C. Suburb
(Fairfax Times, November 19, 2008)
Home foreclosures raised the number of homeless students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), outside Washington, D.C., to approximately 1200, a 25 percent increase from last year’s 900. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that school districts have a homeless liaison to help “highly-mobile” students maintain their education with a minimum of disruption. Kathi Sheffel, the homeless liaison for FCPS, receives calls stemming from foreclosures daily. “I get calls from schools every day saying that a student’s family is being evicted later in the week,” she said. “Many come from families being evicted because their landlords are being foreclosed upon.” The Act defines a homeless student as living in one of the following: emergency or transitional shelter; motel; hotel; campground; car; park; public place; bus or train station; abandoned building; or doubled up with friends or relatives. Sheffel said her phone these days is “ringing off the hook,” and added “The stress on a child in a homeless situation is phenomenal.”
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