Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - States will soon see an additional $124 billion in funding for food stamps programs as the recession forces more people to turn to the government for help.
Social services case loads across central New York are way up; in Onondaga County, nearly 23,000 families receive food stamps -- that's up from about 18,500 last year.
Cayuga County helps 3,800 families, up from 3,200;
Madison County is up to 1,100 from 1,000;
Oswego County has nearly 7,000 families receiving food stamps, up from about 5,000 a year ago.
In Oswego County, 33,000 people receive some kind of assistance from the Department of Social Services.
Commissioner Fran Lanigan says the demand for food stamps applications is up 35 percent, and it's tough to keep up.
“What we are seeing is a number of phone calls because people are wondering [where their application is at] and we're doing the best we can to keep up with the demand,” Lanigan says.
Often, families can't wait for the Department of Social Services to process their food stamp applications. So, in the interim, they're directed to local food pantries.
Barb Vivlamore barely gets by on disability checks, so the occasional trip to Catholic Charities' food pantry is necessary.
“When you're down and out and don't have any food on the table, it helps a lot,” Vivlamore says.
Lately the organization has been helping a lot of people, especially those waiting the 30-to-45 days before their food stamps arrive. The demand is taking its toll.
“We had to lay off a couple of people that worked in our thrift shop because all of the funding is being used to purchase the food, to meet the need,” says Judy Egan of Catholic Charities.
Local food pantries say they can only hope those who can give, will.
Individuals can qualify for between $15 and $200 each month in assistance. To find out whether you're eligible for food stamps, CLICK HERE.
