More people relying on food stamps in Michigan

SAGINAW COUNTY (WJRT) (WJRT) -- (04/03/07)--A new study by the state of Michigan says more and more people in the state are relying of food stamps to feed their families. In fact, one of the areas those numbers have risen the most is in Saginaw County.

That number has increased by 20 percent over the past four years. The main reason involves a weak economy and lack of employment.

"It's partly because people know more about the program, and it's partly because I think there's less stigma," said Saginaw Center for Civil Justice's Terri Stangl.

"It's a program that's now helping working families and seniors and folks with disabilities."

And that stigma is far from accurate. Of all the close to 35,000 people in Saginaw County who receive food stamps, only 14 percent are on welfare.

"You can have several thousand dollars per month for a family of three and still qualify," Stangl said. "Things like a house and a car and a small bank account don't necessarily keep you off the program anymore."

In fact, Stangl says the breakdown in Saginaw County is not what you'd expect.

Although there's still a significant percentage of recipients in the city of Saginaw, the numbers have gone way up in rural areas.

But even with food stamps, many families are having a hard time feeding their families. The value has remained the same and is not keeping pace with rising food prices.

Stangl and others addressed this issue with Sen. Debbie Stabenow Monday in Frankenmuth. They're asking the State Legislature to adjust the food stamp benefits with the cost of living.

It's something that hasn't been done since 1996.

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