New York Times reports rise in number of families depending on food stamps

In a November 28 feature, The New York Times reported a rise in Food Stamp usage across the country, along with the decline of the traditional "stigma" of participating in the tax-supported program.

The program is reported to grow by about 20,000 clients per day, as 1 in 4 children and 1 in 8 Americans depend on food stamps for survival.

And not only are the numbers rising, but the range of those receiving benefits is also becoming more diverse, encompassing not just the "chronically poor," but also the newly jobless.

On the local level, non-profit agencies continue in their efforts to increase food stamp enrollment. In New Jersey, it is estimated that just about 60 percent of those eligible for benefits are actually participating in the program.

While some organizations already provide food stamp enrollment programs for their clients, others will benefit from a pilot program beginning in January, which will send laptops and volunteers around to agencies across Mercer County to provide on-site enrollment for clients who are eligible.

Click here for full coverage in The New York Times.
Click here for an interactive map of food stamp usage across the country.