46 Million on Food Stamps

According to government records, there are more than 45 million people on Food Stamps in the U.S. at this time.

For quite some time now, anti-hunger activists have participated in the Food Stamp Challenge. In the program, participants are given $30 to survive off of for a week - the amount of money they are given is determined by national estimates of what a single person receives in SNAP benefits per month.

Participants are finding it hard to meet the challenge (no surprise), and so to are actual Snap Benefit recipients.

Tiffany White is a 21 year old, part-time cashier whose 30-hour-a-week job earns her $900 a month, from which she spends about $150 to $160 on food. Without food stamps, she said, "it would be really hard to eat."

One of the anti-hunger program participants has taken to blogging to try to tell her story of what its like to try to live off of government aid.

Her name is Cathy Demeroto, and she writes "Not having the necessary funds for food not only negatively impacts on your mood and health, but also on your social life, and can lead to isolation."

Don't we know it....

Food Stamps come to Sag Harbour Farmer's Market

If you live near the East End area of Long Island, and you receive New York Food Stamp Benefits (SNAP Benefits), then you will be happy to know that you can now user your benefits at the Sag Harbor Farmer's Market.

A really great point about this new development is the fact that the market will allow people who use government aid to be exposed to more fresh fruits and vegetables.

Given all of the hoopla this month over the fact that you can now buy fast food with food stamps at some restaurants, this should be good news to all those who are worried that low income households are not being properly exposed to good nutrition.

Hopefully, other farmer's markets will follow this trend. Ivo Tomasini, co-manager of the Sag Harbor Farmer's Market has stated that he has yet to service someone who presented an EBT Card, but the Westhampton store has had lots of activity.

According to a story on KFOXTV, In El Paso Texas, it has been reported that Food stamp sales at have tripled at Fort Bliss. The report compares the usage of Texas Food Stamps in the area from this year and the three years ago. The data came directly from the Defense Commissary Agency.

The report goes on to show how Army Corporal, Robert Harris and his family recently became eligible for the food stamps in Texas (SNAP). I don't know whether to shake my head or scratch it, but it is a shame when enlisted people have to rely on SNAP benefits in order to survive.

Other military families applied for the program, some were not eligible, and others have either been approved or have not received an answer yet - in any event, all of the soldiers said that they were having trouble keeping their families feed.

Alabama Disaster Food Stamps

If you are looking for information, or are interested in apply for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in Alabama, please call the DHR Help Line at - 1-888-658-6585.

Apply for Alabama Food Stamps

The Alabama Food Assistance Division administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Alabama - the program used to be called Alabama Food Stamps.

The Food Assistance Program seeks to put an end to hunger and improve nutrition by providing monthly SNAP benefits to eligible low income households

The amount of Alabama Food Stamps you will get is based on your income and household size, and they are predetermined by regulations issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service.

You can apply for Alabama Food Stamps by contacting the county DHR office.

However, if you would like to have a signed application in hand, you can print out the application here and take it in already completed:

• Click here to print out an application. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
• Chasque aquí Solicitud de cupones para alimentos.

You can fax, mail, or bring the signed application to your local DHR office. You can click here to find a list of local Food Assistance offices.

More Food Assistance Programs

Food assistance may be a hard thing to have to ask for, but if you have low income, and you are living from paycheck to paycheck, it might be hard to stretch your dollars to cover food expenses for your family on a weekly basis.

Fortunately, there are many programs available for struggling families and individuals. Some you may already know about, and others may be new to you.

If you need help feeding your family, let go of your pride and reach out for help. No one should have to go hungry... especially, not here in the U.S. Hopefully one of these programs can be of service to you.

The following options may be available in your area:

• Women, Infants & Children(WIC)


• Free School Lunch


• Summer Food Program/Summer Lunch (For Kids)


• Food Banks & Food Pantries


• Elderly Nutrition Program
• 
  
• Food Stamps/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Most people are aware of programs like food stamps (SNAP), WIC, and the Free and Reduced School Lunch Program. Obviously, if you do not have a job, you will probably qualify. However, you might not realize that

you could qualify for these programs even if you are working.

Do not assume that you do not qualify because you are employed. Enormous amounts of people in the U.S. are considered "Working Poor" because their income is not sufficient to support a family.

If you fall into this category (Working Poor), you should definitely apply for any of the various programs listed above.

Also, there are dozens of other programs that you may not be aware of.

It's a hard thing when you don't have the money to feed your family, but these programs will help to lighten some of the financial stress.

Fast Foods with Food Stamps

Fast food restaurants around the country are able to accept food stamps for their hot meals. Not all restaurants are eligible, but many of your favorite fast food restaurants have applied to be able to accept SNAP benefits (food stamp benefits).

In certain states, it is already possible to use the government aid to purchase meals - the following states & fast food chains are currently eligible:

Michigan:

Church’s Chicken

Kentucky Fried Chicken

McDonald’s

Subway

Grandma’s Famous Chicken

Eight Mile Pancake House

Mr. T’s BBQ

Vito’s Pizza

California:

Jack in the Box

Subway

El Pollo Loco

Papa Murphy’s Pizza

Florida

KFC

Taco Bell

Pizza Hut

Papa Murphy’s Pizza

Arizona

Domino’s Pizza

Golden Corral

Southern Cuisine

Rally’s Hamburger

Louisiana Disaster Food Stamps - Pre Apply & Be Prepared

Given the fact that it is hurricane season, and there is a worrysome tropical disturbance brewing over the Gulf of Mexico, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is advising residents to pre-apply for disaster food stamps, or the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP)

DSNAP provides food assistance to people who do not normally receive Louisiana food stamps, but who are temporarily struggling to put food on the table because of a loss of income due to a natural disaster.

In order to get assistance you ca nt apply online for Louisiana DSNAP.