While reading posts in one of the BellaOnline forums I became interested in the use of food stamps in America. I found these disturbing facts, in year 2001, 60% of the food stamp recipients were women, 51% were children and a full 93% were U. S. born citizens. Receiving and using food stamps is often seen as a negative. However, there are people who have reached high stature who say that their parents, or more often their mother, helped to make ends meet by using food stamps.

Below is a portion of the statistics from the Department of Agriculture 2001 study.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households 2001

Gender and Racial Characteristics

60% of participants are female
35% are African-American
18% are Hispanic
3% are Asian
2% are Native American
1% are of unknown race

Age and Disability Status

51% of recipients are children
10% are elderly
13% are disabled
5% are non-elderly, non-disabled, childless adults

Citizenship

93% of recipients are U.S.-born citizens
3% are naturalized citizens
3% are legal permanent resident aliens
1% are refugees
6% are citizen children living with noncitizens

Source: Characteristics of Food Stamp Households: Fiscal Year 2001

Help is close at hand:

To find out if you are eligible for the Food Stamp Program, look in the yellow pages for your local food stamp office. Or call the USDA toll-free number 1-800-221-5689 for information.

The Food and Nutrition Service has 15 nutrition assistance programs. They include the food programs listed here and more. WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children); School Breakfast Program; National School Lunch Program; Summer Food Service Program; and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. You can call this service at 703-305-2286 or write to them at 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.

More articles will follow on the very important issue. See the link at your right for more information and food stamps and other nutrition programs.

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