FRAC News Digest - 2/16/10<TITLE> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><LINK href="http://www.frac.org/Style_Sheet.css" type=text/css rel=stylesheet> <SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/JavaScript>  </SCRIPT> <META content="FRAC digest, FRAC news, FRAC, hunger news, malnutrition, healthy food, food program, childhood hunger, childhood obesity, nutrition research, obesity, food stamps, WIC, food assistance, food aid" name=keywords> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3059" name=GENERATOR> <style type="text/css">  </style> </HEAD> <BODY style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffcc"> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR width="600"> <TD class=cell_border vAlign=top align=left width=635><span class="style3"><IMG height=40 src="http://www.frac.org/html/news/newsdigest/round.gif" width=20><IMG height=40 src="http://www.frac.org/html/news/newsdigest/headline.gif" width=240><IMG height=40 src="http://www.frac.org/html/news/newsdigest/rightRound.gif" width=20><br /> </span> <P class="style3" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span class="style3"><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica"></span> <HR> <P class="style11">The Weekly Food Research and Action Center News Digest highlights what's new on hunger, nutrition and poverty issues at FRAC, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around the network of national, state and local anti-poverty and anti-hunger organizations, and in the media. The Digest will alert you to trends, reports, news items and resources and, when available, link you directly to them.</P> <HR> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD height="273" bgColor=#ffffcc><P class="style6"><strong>Issue #5, February 16, 2010 </strong><BR> <BR> <strong>FRAC News Digest</strong></P> <DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 2em"> <ol class="style11"> <li><font size="2"><a href="#1">SNAP/Food Stamps Undergo Shift In Image</a></font></li> <li><font size="2"><a href="#2">FRAC Report Finds 20 Percent of Maryland Families Experienced Food Hardship</a></font></li> <li><font size="2"><a href="#3">SNAP/Food Stamps Vital Part of Reducing Hunger in Massachusetts</a></font></li> <li><font size="2"><a href="#4">Pennsylvania Officials Notes Millions in SNAP/Food Stamp Benefits Paid Through Economic Recovery Act</a></font></li> <li><font size="2"><a href="#5">Significant Number of Pennsylvanians Report Food Hardship</a></font></li> <li><font size="2"><a href="#6">Report Gives 10 Ideas for San Diego to Increase SNAP/Food Stamp Participation</a></font></li> <li><font size="2"><a href="#7">Snow Keeps Schoolchildren from Free or Reduced-Price Meals</a></font></li> <li><font size="2"><a href="#8">WIC Meets Facebook in Michigan</a></font></li> <li><font size="2"><a href="#9">Tax Volunteer Finds Dollars for Needy Filers</a></font></li> <li><font size="2"><a href="#10">Unemployment, Rising Bills, Weather Force More Florida Residents to Seek Heating Assistance</a></font></li> </ol> </DIV></TD> </TR> </TBODY> </TABLE> <SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> <HR> </SPAN></SPAN> <p class="style11"><span class="style15"><span class="style16"><span class="style17"><strong> <a name="1">1. SNAP/Food Stamps Undergo Shift In Image</a><br> </strong>(<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/us/11foodstamps.html?scp=2&sq=food%20stamps&st=cse">The New York Times</a>, February 11, 2010)</span></span></span></p> <p class="style11">Once scorned as “welfare,” SNAP/Food Stamps are now regarded as an important part of the safety net. Politically, the program has experienced "a remarkable shift," said Senator Richard G. Lugar (R-IN). "People now see that it’s necessary to have a strong food stamp program." A decade ago, applicants in New York City had to register one day and then return the next just to pick up an application. The city now provides program information in more than a dozen languages, and local programs recruit applicants at grocery stores and churches. Sweeping welfare reforms in the 1990s caused many to lose cash assistance. Officials, sympathetic to those in need, saw food stamps as a way to help. While food stamps also suffered deep cuts in the 1990s, Congress has since “reversed course” to expand eligibility, remove red tape, and register the working poor. States that enroll the most eligible people now get bonuses from the federal government. The economic downturn and high unemployment have helped to drive numbers to record levels over the past year. The program has, more recently, helped people suffering through natural disasters, while the move from paper "coupons" to EBT cards has lowered stigma and reduced fraud. President George W. Bush's SNAP/Food Stamp administrator, Eric Bost, was an “ardent” supporter of the program and gave the program an unexpected boost. "I assure you, food stamps is not welfare," said Bost in a recent interview.</p> <SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><HR> </SPAN></SPAN> <p class="style11"><strong> <a name="2">2. FRAC Report Finds 20 Percent of Maryland Families Experienced Food Hardship</a><br> </strong>(<a href="www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/bal-md.hunger06feb06,0,1239765.story">Baltimore Sun</a>, February 6, 2010) </p> <p class="style11">More than 15 percent of households in Maryland reported not having enough money to buy food in the past, according to figures reported by the Food Research and Action Center. Households with children had a higher rate of 20 percent, which alarmed advocates; in Baltimore, 19 percent of households with children said they had difficulty purchasing food. The figures rank the state 44th in the nation "The numbers can't help but startle you somewhat," said Julie Walsh, chairwoman of Maryland Alliance for the Poor. "It's striking to think one in five families struggle with hunger. We've seen people dramatically impacted by the economy." The report contains "a very accurate representation," said FRAC's president, Jim Weill. FRAC’s data on food hardship come from a survey conducted by Gallup which posed a series of questions on a range of topics. One of the questions asks individuals if there have been times in the past 12 months when they did not have enough money to buy food. Although the Census Bureau uses far more detailed questions to come up with food insecurity numbers, FRAC's data has merit, said Mark Nord with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "[T]here is reason to believe that there is a reasonable level of reliability." The Maryland Food Bank can attest to the problem, having seen an 11 percent increase in the number of people served since 2006, providing 18 million pounds of food to 261,000 people in a year. Last year 135,000 Marylanders lost their jobs, bringing the state's unemployment rate to about 7.5 percent.</p> <SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><HR> </SPAN></SPAN> <p class="style11"><strong> <a name="3">3. SNAP/Food Stamps Vital Part of Reducing Hunger in Massachusetts</a><br> </strong>(<a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/02/05/hunger_food_stamps_exist_for_a_reason/">Boston Globe</a>, February 5, 2010)</p> <p class="style11">Nonprofits and charities cannot alone reduce hunger in Massachusetts, notes this editorial, which urges organizations to reach out to needy clients and help them sign up for SNAP/Food Stamps. While over half a million state residents visited food banks last year, many of those who need help putting food on the table only receive sporadic support. Only 48 percent of food bank clients in the state receive SNAP/Food Stamps. A national survey by Feeding America found that many pantry users don't think they're eligible for the program, don't know how to apply, find the paperwork daunting, or are too embarrassed to apply. And many think they'd be branded as needy in the checkout line when they have to provide "coupons," not knowing that the benefit is now supplied on an EBT card. The editorial urges the governor to work with food banks to help them provide more SNAP/Food Stamp outreach to clients, and assure them they won't be stigmatized. "In light of all the benefits of better-fed families - from more productive workers to more attentive schoolchildren - promoting federal hunger assistance to needy families is an economic imperative as well as a moral one," concludes the editorial.</p> <SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><HR> </SPAN></SPAN> <p class="style11"><strong> <a name="4">4. Pennsylvania Officials Notes Millions in SNAP/Food Stamp Benefits Paid Through Economic Recovery Act</a><br> </strong>(<a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/83784067.html">Philadelphia Inquirer</a>, February 8, 2010)</p> <p class="style11">In this letter to the editor, Ronald J. Naples, chief accountability officer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, outlines the ways that funds from the economic recovery act have been making their way into the state’s economy. He notes that additional SNAP/Food Stamp benefits - totaling $219 million - "have helped more than 1.5 million families put food on the table." Tax provisions and credits have already saved families about $1.8 billion, and 2.1 million children and adults have benefitted from $1.5 billion in additional Medicaid funding. Of the $13.5 billion in stimulus funds expected to flow into Pennsylvania, $6.1 billion has been spent or is "on its way out the door." This is far more than a recent editorial in the paper indicated, notes Naples. "These stimulus dollars make their way into the economy in many forms, from jobs to increased consumer demand," he concludes.</p> <HR> <p class="style11"><strong> <a name="5" id="5">5. Significant Number of Pennsylvanians Report Food Hardship</a><br> </strong>(<a href="http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100207/NEWS/2070356">Pocono Record</a>, February 7, 2010) </p> <p class="style11">More than one in five Pennsylvania households with children reported not having enough money to buy food, according to a new report released by the Food Research and Action Center. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to food hardship, having to choose between medication, heating their homes, or eating, noted Gretchen Peters, access services coordinator for the Monroe County Office for the Aging. "We have senior citizens living on about $750 a month. If they are lucky, they are in subsidized housing, which means one-third of that money is going to rent. That leaves you the rest to pay for medication and food," she said.</p> <SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><HR> </SPAN></SPAN> <p class="style11"><strong> <a name="6">6. Report Gives 10 Ideas for San Diego to Increase SNAP/Food Stamp Participation</a><br> </strong>(<a href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/08/10-step-outline-to-fight-hunger/ ">San Diego Union Tribune</a>, February 8, 2010)</p> <p class="style11">A report by the San Diego-based Supportive Parents Information Network (SPIN) proposes using more caseworkers, ending home searches and fingerprinting, and reducing office wait times for SNAP/Food Stamp applicants, in order to increase the area's SNAP/Food Stamp participation. San Diego had only 35 percent of eligible residents enrolled in the program, placing the city last among two dozen major U.S. urban areas, according to a report released last year by the Food Research and Action Center. SPIN interviewed 172 people living at or below the federal poverty level for its report. Last year, SPIN made many of the suggestions contained in the report to county officials, and noted there was little effect. “I think we’ve learned enough to try to understand what’s happening from the perspective of the recipient from San Diego,” said Bill Oswald, the report’s principal investigator. “I think we can begin to develop best practices.”</p> <HR> <p class="style11"><strong> <a name="7">7. Snow Keeps Schoolchildren from Free or Reduced-Price Meals</a><br> </strong>(<a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g_80zo53TryV9zbaXGOh6H3tgdEgD9DRFBIO2">Associated Press</a>, February 14, 2009; <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/07/AR2010020701757.html?hpid=topnews">The Washington Post</a>, February 8, 2010)</p> <p class="style11">The recent severe snows have closed schools across the Mid-Atlantic area for more than six days so far, meaning that students who receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch have had to miss these meals at school. “We've been bothered by this all week," said.Marla Caplon, food services supervisor for Montgomery County Public Schools. Caplon arranged for Manna Food Center to bring boxes of food one day to two closed elementary schools. Officials notified parents about the food by using the school district's automated phone system. "Everybody's at home, and everybody's eating," said Jacquelyn Garcia, 39, who came to pick up food for her family of five. "I have nothing left in my house." Hunger during breaks in the school year is not a new concern; in the summer, USDA runs a summer food program to help fill the gap. "The demand for emergency food for families with children in the summertime goes up," said Crystal FitzSimons, director of school programs at the Washington-based Food Research and Action Center. “Parents are more likely to skip meals, so their kids can eat."</p> <SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><HR> </SPAN></SPAN> <p class="style11"><strong> <a name="8">8. WIC Meets Facebook in Michigan</a><br> </strong>(<a href="http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20100204/NEWS01/302040008/County+WIC+first+in+state+on+Facebook">The Enquirer</a>, February 4, 2010) </p> <p class="style11">The Calhoun County, Mich. WIC program has begun using Facebook to communicate the importance of breastfeeding. "We're constantly trying to think outside of the box to meet our clients where they are," said local WIC program manager Diana Hazard. The county program is the first in the state to use this online networking tool.</p> <SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><HR> </SPAN></SPAN> <p class="style11"><strong> <a name="9">9. Tax Volunteer Finds Dollars for Needy Filers</a><br> </strong>(<a href="http://www.azstarnet.com/news/local/article_6d9f1281-e123-5145-837d-f1510b5b6126.html">Arizona Daily Star</a>, February 6, 2010) </p> <p class="style11">Tax volunteers working through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program found $9.1 million in tax refunds for low- and moderate-income filers in Southern Arizona last year, and the program expects to serve even more people this year. The program -- supported by the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Pima County, and the city of Tucson -- saved Pima County residents more than $1.45 million in tax-preparation fees, and promoted awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refunds, which accounted for $4.6 million in client refunds. "Many people are unaware of it while others don't realize they are eligible," said Stephanie Pendrys, United Way's marketing and media relations manager. "This can include professionals who were laid off, people in rural areas, people with service jobs in private households, people who run day cares and those who receive public assistance like free health care or SNAP (the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)," she said. The program urges families earning less than $49,000 last year to investigate EITC and child tax credits; 22 percent of those eligible, Pendrys estimates, don't claim these refunds. She expects cuts in salaries and/or hours will increase the number of people eligible. EITC data shows it lifts more children out of poverty than any other program. "People use it for necessities, to repair their homes or vehicles or to get additional training to boost their employability. We also try to get them to save 10 percent of what they receive and offer financial education to help clients build financial stability," Pendrys said. Volunteer Ben McKee encourages more to volunteer. "There are lots of ways to give back in the community and some of them are often underappreciated things like preparing taxes," he said. "It is amazing how minimal effort creates a maximum relief for these people. It relieves their burden of having to get their taxes filed and paying $200 to a paid preparer."</p> <HR> <p class="style11"><strong> <a name="10">10. Unemployment, Rising Bills, Weather Force More Florida Residents to Seek Heating Assistance</a><br> </strong>(<a href="http://www.newsherald.com/news/rate-81240-bills-snap.html">News Herald</a>, February 6, 2010) </p> <p class="style11">Requests for heating assistance are up in Bay County, Fla., where the Bay County Council on Aging helped 332 clients in the past two weeks find out more about the Low Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP). A 13-day cold snap and a 1.5 percent utility rate increase - which increased the monthly bills for many - drove Michelle Ellison to seek help through the Council, where it was "standing room only," said Ellison. "People are scared," she said. "People are losing their jobs and their houses. There were a lot of people [at the Council] trying to get help." Gulf Power reported a new winter peak for energy use in December; the utility offers customers help with budgeting for these increases, and supplies a list of local agencies where customers can find financial assistance. </p> <HR> <span class="style6"><a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5118/signUp.jsp?key=49">Subscribe to FRAC's News Digest</a> | <a href="http://frac.org/digest/index.htm">News Digest Archives</a> | <a href="http://www.frac.org/">www.frac.org</a> </span><br /></p> </TD> </TR> <TR width="600"> <TD class=cell_border vAlign=top align=left> </TD> </TR> </TBODY></TABLE> <br /> </BODY></HTML>