I've been on food stamps once, and US government commodities for awhile as a kid. It's been decades though. Here are facts gleaned from the article.
Now, one in eight Americans and one in four children is on food stamps. Half of Americans will have been on them before age 20, and if black, 90%. More than 36 million people use the cards. Even during the Bush era, they became known as "nutritional aid" rather than welfare. 20,000 people are added per day. There are 239 counties with at least 1/4 of the population using food stamps. In more than 750 counties, the program helps feed one in three blacks. In more than 800 counties, it helps feed one in three children. In St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans, nearly 40% of children eat via food stamps. More than 50% receive food stamps in Cincinnatti. Rates have risen by 1/2 to 2/3 in places like Riverside County CA, much of Phoenix and Las Vegas, some affluent Atlanta suburbs and a 150 miles stretch of Florida. There are another 15-16 million who could benefit, as only about 2/3 of those elligible are reached (50% in CA, 98% in Missouri.)
The program is technically called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. Nearly 12% of Americans receive aid - 28% of blacks, 15% of Latinos and 8% of whites. Benefits average about $130/month for each person but vary with shelter and child care costs. This is the first recession in which a majority of the poor live in the suburbs. Seattle is one of the suburbs mentioned with growing use.
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