Food Stamps Cut Number Of Extremely Poor Children In Half Last Year: Study

Three-week-old Christy Kalbaugh's mother received food assistance. (Jan. 18, 2012)

Food stamps are saving many of the nation's poorest children.

The food stamp program -- now officially called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP -- reduced the number of extremely poor children by nearly 50 percent in 2011, according to a recently released study by the National Poverty Center.

When counting the program’s benefits as income, the number of children in households living on less than $2 per day before government aid -- the World Bank's threshold for being extremely poor -- dropped to 1.4 million from 2.8 million, according to the NPC study. And the number of extremely poor households also saw a huge drop thanks to food stamps, falling to about 800,000 from 1.46 million, the study found.

The findings come as a growing number of Americans are scrimping. In 2011, more Americans said they struggled to afford food than in any other year since the financial crisis, according to a February report from the Food Research and Action Center. In addition, about one in every five people told Gallup in February that they couldn't always afford to feed their entire family.

Though many Americans are struggling to pay for food, the food stamp program is coming under increased attack, including fraud allegations. A Congressional hearing earlier this week alleged that some retailers who are dealing the benefits illegally have been allowed to stay in the program, according to NPR.

The election year has also made SNAP a target of heightened criticism from Republicans. Last week Republican Minnesota State Rep. Mary Franson equated food stamp recipients to wild animals. Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich created the most uproar with his remarks that African-Americans should “not be satisfied with food stamps" and repeated references to President Obama as the "food stamp president"-- attacking the President for the program's high enrollment under his term.

Since President Obama took office in 2008, 14 million more Americans have enlisted in the program, due in large part the economic crisis, according to Reuters.

Comments

[MultiCultural7]

03:06 PM on 06/26/2012

As a people we really need to think on what we cut and why we cut things. The GOP really should have to live off what the poor and others have too so they can really understand what they are voting on.

Its easy to vote on something when you don't have to be in someone shoes. Can anyone name one GOP that make under $100,000 a year plus other things they get?

[deedeedoors]

09:38 PM on 06/15/2012

What self repecting adult would have the gov feed you.SICKENING

[Jase84]

02:48 PM on 09/07/2012

You'd be the first in line if something happened to your income. Please.

[deedeedoors]

09:42 AM on 09/13/2012

It did and i didnt.

[FreddyNWhitey]

10:11 AM on 06/03/2012

food stamps: one of the already existing, successful, obvious ways to combine clear economic stimulus with a humanitarian orientation. how could you get behind scaling them back!?

[Mandy Ann Osipchuk]

12:19 PM on 06/09/2012

Children will start starving and that is why you cant.

[Easy123]

06:56 PM on 05/26/2012

Why doesnt somebody from the GOOP offer a suggestion? . I don't care to much for give aways, but don't want any of our people to starve. The largest welfare payments are to corporations and tax loop holes, don't be fooled by semantics.

[phantomworks]

03:41 AM on 05/16/2012

If the GOP elitists were to take away all the food assistance programs from the tens of millions depending on them,we would be seeing looting of supermarkets and food pantries like in New Orleans during Katrina nationwide.Nothing motivated a rioting mob like hunger!

[phantomworks]

03:28 AM on 05/16/2012

As a supporter of SNAP Programs, I still would like to see new rules for the users,such as NO candy,gum,cakes,chips,soda or other junk.They should be restricted to fresh,frozen or canned foods such as veggies,meats frozen dinners,tuna,soup,dried beans,grains,dairy,bread and other actual foods.I see many SNAP users who are obese,I see the candy,cakes,soda and other junk in their carts and not many vegetables,lean meats,whole grains and other healthier foods and we wonder why there is an obesity problem.I also would like to see a mandatory class on how to select healthier foods for proper nutrition for first-time and repeat SNAP users

[sanjagtl]

12:00 AM on 05/28/2012

Don't forget to include the beer and smokes that they buy as well. Must be nice to have cash for those items but not for food. Oh and don't forget that $200 cell phone in hand, nicely done nails, name brand clothes, etc. I used to buy alot of frozen foods thinking it was cheaper but in the end it isn't (and they tend to be full of crap). Maybe a class on basic healthy food and cooking should be given to those who apply for foodstamps so they know how to make a decent healthy meal for cheaper than a frozen or junk food meal.

[Mandy Ann Osipchuk]

12:20 PM on 06/09/2012

Also this money should got to AMERICAN businesses that only sell made or grown in AMERICA!

[phantomworks]

02:57 AM on 05/16/2012

Even the Romans gave out food,wine and entertainment.(bread and circuses)to the poor masses maybe not out of altruism but out of pragmatism and to maintain stability within the Republic and later the Empire.This Roman version of "welfare" was a small price to pay for the Pax Romana.(Roman Peace)

[EastBishop]

11:29 AM on 05/03/2012

I propose a LIMIT on food stamp recipients. Limit the family to nuclear; mother, father, and a maximum of 2 children.

If you have more than 2, then you should do your part. Also beans, rice, and vegies aren't that expensive... however i see people with the food stamp card buying crap from the stores... chicken nuggets, frozen dinner, etc. They'd have more if they weren't so lazy.

[Tatters Tatters]

06:45 PM on 05/16/2012

Don't call anyone lazy unless you've walked in their shoes. Another attack on the poor. You sound worst then that 1% getting paid millions to be on TV doctor complaining about his tax dollars when he probably doesn't even pay his fair share amount.

[EastBishop]

02:09 PM on 05/18/2012

No my attack is on people who can't take care of the kids they have and keep having them. Also, if someone is earning millions for doing whatever, good for them but to receive money for doing nothing, that is where my problem lies.

Every cent I have I earned and i have given up YEARS to be where I am now. On average I work 60-70 hour weeks and now I'm looking at jobs to pay 6 figures.  My fair share?!?!?!  I've worked hard to get where I am and sacrificed a lot, I've earned my keep and I want to keep it.  On the other hand I see families of 4 and 6 kids where NEITHER parent is doing their fair share, just taking mine.  That is my problem.

I've already put in my dues after all my hard work I'm going to be punished with higher taxes???  Where is the equality in that?

[deedeedoors]

09:53 PM on 06/15/2012

They aren't to lazy to knock boot's and push out kid's that they wanna tax me to feed.

[Rogir Wabbit]

07:13 PM on 05/26/2012

i propose a LIMIT on how much money one person can earn. Limit the wealth to fairness.

you'll say my plan is socialism. I say yours is fascism.

[EastBishop]

09:39 AM on 05/29/2012

In your plan, why work hard at all? 

In my situation I've LOST 5 yrs. of my life to my career. Now you're telling me that how much I earn should be capped?  Then why do all of that? If it it's capped I would have just gone out partying... but no, I can earn more so I make myself worth more. I see no reason in people who don't put forth the effort should get any of MY earned income. I've sacrificed, not to just give it anway.

[Doc Hazzard]

03:13 PM on 04/19/2012

I remember when I was a young boy I asked my Dad why did the US give food to so many nations and he said " When folks are hungry they will do anything to get food" My Dad grew up during the great depression on a farm so they always had food to eat as long as the crops were good and the livestock thrived but they were by no means wealthy. They would help their neighbors in need. I feel we should try to help those less fortunate as best we can. When the hell did half the nation get so mean spirited and greedy.

[YeWight]

07:17 AM on 03/20/2012

Pelosi on Maher:
http://youtu.be/6cGBNu9IL_A

[tulsey]

02:22 PM on 03/19/2012

"I can hire half of the working class to kill, and eat, the other half" Jay Gould.

[ajbiggs]

11:12 AM on 03/19/2012

Lol....Those righties! So concerned w/ my wound, yet less concerned w/ life outside the wound. I'm confused....

[beringer37]

03:54 PM on 03/19/2012

I'm confused by your post. Check your spelling.

[Dan808]

12:44 PM on 04/02/2012

My daughter mixes up her 'b's & 'd's also...

[JustinP213]

11:56 AM on 03/12/2012

It's very simple. They need to hire more federal workers (and lay-off others in less important agencies) to police these programs. The crimes for fraud need to be increased.

[Rogir Wabbit]

07:42 PM on 05/26/2012

typical faux anarchist . you want to solve the problems of govt. by making more criminals

[american-dolt]

11:08 AM on 03/12/2012

As long as Gap between Rich and Poor Grows, which it is daily, the more Food Stamps will be Issued.

[Rogir Wabbit]

07:11 PM on 05/26/2012

not so. the more the rich, the fewer the rights

[Razpooten]

01:00 AM on 03/12/2012

Republican have shown that they are enemies of women and the a silent sector of our society, children. It is a sad state of affairs when a nation that considers itself to be the best in the world has children who go to bed hungry. There is no excuse.