Older Americans face cuts to gov't food aid

(CBS News) 

PLAINFIELD, N.J. - Every month, 68-year-old David Coleman comes to the lobby of his New Jersey low-income housing complex to pick up a box of 20 non-perishable food items worth about $50.

"This is not grocery shopping," Coleman tells CBS News correspondent Seth Doane, "but this is something that really helps."

He's one of 600,000 seniors nationwide who take part in what's called the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. To qualify, seniors must earn less than $14,300 a year.

But, the program is in jeopardy, as Congress is looking at cutting some of its funding.

"I can think of things that Congress could probably cut back on," Coleman says. "But this is not one of them. People have to eat."

Food banks report surge in first timers

In the latest federal budget, the House proposed $800,000,000 in cuts to federal nutrition programs. If those cuts pass Congress later this year,150,000 food-box receipients would be dropped.

"I ask you, how would you make a decision around which elderly person would get a food box?" Vicki Escarra asks. "Who gets one and who doesn't? How do you make those kinds of decisions?"

Escarra runs "Feeding America," which provides emergency food aid to 200 food banks nationwide.

"We cannot do this by ourselves, we need support on these federal programs, and Congress has got to step up," Escarra says.

Coleman has lots of canned goods. He says "a lot of them" are from food banks. Of his retirement, Coleman says "Financially speaking, it's a strain."

One-third of those who use a food bank at least once a month are over the age of 60.

Fighting hunger in a land of plenty

With gas prices up 30 percent and groceries up 6 percent, it seems the only thing staying steady is Coleman's fixed income - just $1,000 monthly from Social Security.

"We are the backbone of this country, we helped to build this country," Coleman says. "And if we put in our 40, 50 years of work and hard work in this country - then don't just turn your back on us and throw us out to pasture."

Most here at the housing complex retired years ago. Going back to work isn't an option, but neither is going hungry.

[hidegirlgcks]

The government needs to get off their a$$es and go house to house and see what these young people that are capable of working are doing with our tax money. I can tell you what a lot of them are doing because i see it all the time. They are sitting around on their lazy a$$es and collecting our tax money. A lot of them are capable of working but instead they are using their food stamps to order carry out at pizza hut, or selling their food stamps for cash, or selling their meds that us tax payers pay for for cash, or working under the table and still living off the government. I can go on and on about these free loaders but what good would it do? Then there are legit people out there that cant get any help and really need it. Most of these people are white people! Sorry but its the truth! I see it EVERY SINGLE DAY in my town. The white people cant get the help.

[Bobarama2323]

Yet another sign of the US sliding towards third world status. Maybe some of the other third world countries will take pity upon our old people and send bags of rice....

[tsigili]

Seniors are being thrown under the bus, by everyone.

[Dgunner]

It seems on days like this that if congress was wiped out by freak accident it be the better for the whole.Now all we need is a Freak with the intelligence to do it.

[Goofer-Buddy]

We should just cut he aid to fat people.....

[formerusmcsgt1]

In the latest federal budget, the House proposed $800,000 in cuts to federal nutrition programs
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As far as repubs are concerned, if you need assitance, you can just go hungry.

I don't know how they enjoy their yachts knowing they are depriving the poor, the elderly, and children something as basic as sustenence....

[skeezix06]

Disgraceful and despicable. I won't forget who voted for this next November.