Food Stamps: 31.6 Million Recipients

“Statistics reveal that US unemployment reached the highest level in 15 years; as 31.6 million Americans are now receiving food stamps. According to Friday's figures from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate reached 6.7 percent in November, the highest level since October 1993.

With 3.2 million more Americans unemployed than 12 months ago, the need for food assistance has risen. Last month saw the evaporation of 533,000 jobs, the biggest one-month loss since 1974. Figures released earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that food stamp beneficiaries increased by 17 percent.

The food stamp program is now known as SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. "While 10.3 million Americans are unemployed, more than 31 million - one in every ten - Americans now receives food stamps," said Dr. Jim McDonald, vice president of policy and programs at Bread for the World. "In an economic recession, it is harder than ever for Americans to feed their families."

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