
LOS ANGELES, March 31, 2008
More Americans Turning To Food Stamps
Amid Economic Slowdown, Record 28 Million In U.S. Expected To Use Program In Coming Year
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Play CBS Video Video Food Stamps On The Rise With unemployment and the price of living on the rise, the Congressional Budget Office projects that 28 million Americans will turn to food stamps in the next year. Bill Whitaker reports.
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Even with two jobs and food stamps, Shreel Jackson stretches to feed her four boys and granddaughter. (CBS)
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Interactive Eye On The Economy In-depth features on U.S. markets, taxes, employment and the Federal Reserve.
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Interactive Living In Poverty A state-by-state look at U.S. Census Bureau data on income and poverty levels.
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- The New American Gold Rush
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"If it wasn't for this program, it would be really bad for me right now," Luna says.
With jobs declining and prices for basics -- food, fuel and medicine -- on the rise, more Americans are expected to turn to food stamps in the next year than at any time since the program began in the 1960s.
Already, demand is up in 43 states. Fourteen have hit record highs. In Michigan, one in every eight residents is on food stamps; one in seven in Kentucky.
"Their wages are going down or staying the same while the costs that they have to meet each month are going up, and the squeeze on them is so significant that they can't afford food," says Stacy Dean of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Anyone, working or retired, living near the poverty line -- less than about $28,000 per family of four -- is eligible for the benefits, about $100 per person per month.
But even with two jobs and food stamps, Shreel Jackson still is stretching beans and her budget to feed her four boys and granddaughter.
"Because what I get, it helps, but it's not enough, it's not enough, it's not enough," Jackson says.
With Congress fighting over funding, millions like Jackson won't find much more in the pot.
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Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."





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See all 196 CommentsI can''t write that good or spell. I know nothing of grammar. I HAD MY LESSION BOOKS IN LARGE PRINT UNTIL A BOY WHINED. He said *how come Barbara has sp books.* The teacher pulled them thanks to a bloody boy..I am legally blind from birth up. In my day it was geared to males and females the man''s breed thing. I was told to wear a dress for my male social worker when I was a minor I toid her* no way* and I did not..I did for my pusted thru grad from high school in 74.
I wish you well. MS is cruel.
I have seen grocery merchants allow people to use food stamps for beer, cigarettes and other sundries not to be purchased by food stamps. It''s as though they don''t care or overlook the rules.
How do we control such purchases when merchants don''t enforce the food stamp laws. Just take a look at the open boarders and merchants and businesses who hire those who cross over illegally - and are eligible for food stamps.
Our government doesn''t seem to care about US citizens who really need help, by not enforcing existing laws.
So who''s the blame? We The People are! Everything is connected.
As long as we keep electing people who don''t care about what we want and need, companies will continue to outsource jobs; hourly wages will remain the same while goods and services continue to rise, making more and more people have to rely on food stamps.
Bush says we''re just in a slump - I say we''re in a recession. Who do you believe?
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Posted by GrammaWhamma at 05:03 PM : Apr 01, 2008
THEY ARE LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM
MONEY FOR NOTHING
AND THE FOOD IS FREE OR TRADE IT FOR DRUGS
I can tell you tho i did become really upset when a lady from another state was at a local store and was able to receive cash with her food card! Now that wasnt bad enough but she also purchased beer with it as well, the poor check out girl had several co-workers there because she just didnt think it could be possible to do this. In the end tho it was all possible! If you ask me that was a prime example of enabling a person to settle in life, because someone else will pick up the tab. Someone else will make life better for me. Whats the answer? Im really not sure...it truely is a sad world we live in.
Posted by sblake63 at 03:50 PM
Yeah! They don''t really need food stamps. They are just a bunch of fakers. They probably have mansions, while you live in a one room hut. It''s not fair. "Sniff" and cry me a river.
Pop and name-brand soda do not even compare to 5 multi-million dollar mansions Kenneth Lay and many of his fellow CEOs have, after ripping off the taxpayers. Wouldn''t it make more sens if you are going to whine about abuse of the taxpayer money to first go after those who by far are the most egregious offenders? Take farm subsidies for instance that go to large multination corporations, and hence into the pockets of the billionaires that control them, and this does not outrage you? This is just the tip of the iceberge when it comes to corporate welfare. You really come across as disingenuous when you get all bent of shape over the pittance the few on the bottom take, and completely ignore the huge sums of taxpayer hand outs the billioniares are taking. It is kind f pathetic, that the powerful can dupe so many dullards like you into going along with their pyramid schemes to you own detriment. When will such, who are typically quick to tout their patriotism, finally wake up, open their eyes, and realize what is being done to our nation? Does it take your job being shipped over seas before you realize just how duped you are?
now we will see more and more peeps buying pop and chips with the food stamps they so desperatly need....
you would be amazed how many do this......
Posted by theantirick at 03:45 PM : Apr 01, 2008
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Amen to that! Every time I stand in line here in Texas and see somebody use that "lone star card" which is food stamps here.... I see their carts full of soda (and not generic lol). And loads of things they do not need... One was talking on an expensive cell phone & wearing Nike shows. Lmfao.. Cut them off NOW!
now we will see more and more peeps buying pop and chips with the food stamps they so desperatly need....
you would be amazed how many do this......
Posted by whatithink at 12:57 PM : Apr 01, 2008
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Thats strange, I am doing fine.. But you prove my point. Some people out there (most posters in here hmmmm) seem to think we''ll be just fine if we give up more of our pay to compensate for other''s errors. They toss around words like "selfish" to tug at the emotions of those who dont think this whole thing through.
Iraq war a waste? Maybe... Is life fair? No.. Is it MY problem as far as paying more taxes for some single mom''s mistake for getting divorced and needing more assistance ??? NO... Did the goverment pi$$ away billions of dollars.. Yes... But it''s not My fault and I wont compensate for other''s errors!
I am sure the socialists in here who want us all to move to "socialism" are going to say what I said is harsh oh and yes their favorite word "Ignorant". Come November people are going to realize that the Obama - Hillary crowd are just a pile of communists who think they know what''s best for us and STEAL our cash via taxes and give it to low lifes who did NOTHING to earn it.. McCain is going to whip their a$$es !
Did I misquote? "Some snobs at a country club"? Not your words?
It appears you are the snob and a name caller at that.
Have a nice day.
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