PDF: Food Stamp income eligibility PDF: Food Stamp participation by county
Candy McPherson thought she had it made five years ago, living in a 3,400-square-foot luxury home and driving a Cadillac Escalade around Charlotte, N.C.
But when her husband's illness cost him his six-figure job, Mrs. McPherson was forced to give up most of the family's possessions and relocate to a cheaper apartment in Chattanooga.
Earlier this week, Mrs. McPherson turned to the Chattanooga Food Bank for the first time for a 75-pound box of free food to help feed her family.
"I used to volunteer at places like this, but I never thought I would be the one in need," Mrs. McPherson said while picking up canned foods and vegetables from food bank warehouse. "We thought we were doing well and had saved enough, but when you don't get paid at all for 18 months and then have to live on only a disability check, it all goes very fast."
Mrs. McPherson is among a growing number of area residents turning to local charities or seeking government help to put food on their tables. Since the Great Recession began, demand for food bank meals and church assistance has jumped by at least 25 percent, according to local agencies.
The appeal for private charity comes on top of a nearly 45 percent jump in the past four years in the number of Tennesseans getting food stamps, including a 15 percent jump in the past year.
Last year, the number of Georgians getting food stamps jumped by 27 percent, according to a study by the Brookings Institution.
Even as the economy shows signs of growth, demand for food stamps from the federal government has grown to include nearly one of every five people in Tennessee and Georgia. In recession-racked areas such as Grundy County in Tennessee, more than 35 percent of the population gets food stamps.
Over the past decade, Tennessee has more than doubled its food stamp enrollment.
"Tennessee has been one of the leading states in getting those who are eligible for food stamps to participate in the program, but most of this growth simply reflects the economy," said Michelle Mowery-Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Human Services, which administers the federally funded program.
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that employment grew last month by 290,000 jobs, the biggest monthly gain in four years. But the improving picture drew so many more people into the labor force in search of employment, the jobless rate rose to 9.9 percent.
Economists expect the demand for assistance will continue to grow until the new jobs generate enough income to make up for much of the money lost during the Great Recession.
"Unemployment and programs like food stamps tend to be lagging economic indicators," University of Tennessee Economist Bill Fox said.
Charities feel the pinch
Despite the rise in government assistance, private charities also are seeing more people in need.
At the Episcopal Metropolitan Ministry in Chattanooga, those seeking food assistance or help paying their utility bills are lining up at 3 a.m. to be among those who get aid when the doors of the relief agency open at 8 a.m. three days a week.
"We're totally overwhelmed," said Rebecca Whelchel, executive director for the church-sponsored assistance program. "We do whatever we can, but we're having to turn away people in need nearly every day."
Ms. Whelchel estimates at least 30 percent of those seeking help haven't previously sought any relief or government assistance but are now finding themselves unable to pay their bills because of job losses, reduced work hours, higher utility bills or prolonged sickness.
She said one man needing help with paying his bills and putting food on the table walked to the Metropolitan Ministry office on Bailey Avenue in Chattanooga all the way from Fort Oglethorpe -- even after he was robbed and cut on the way.
"He was so desperate for a $9 voucher for a food box that he just kept walking even after he had been attacked," Ms. Whelchel recalled. "You're hard pressed to tell our clients that the recession is over."
So far this year, the Episcopal Metropolitan Ministry has served 2,969 clients, up nearly 45 percent from the levels of four years ago, she said.
While the need for food assistance is up because of the recession, the poor economy is also starving some of the contributions to agencies providing food and other assistance.
United Way feels the pain
Undesignated giving to the United Way of Greater Chattanooga was down by more than 10 percent last year, forcing the fundraising agency to cut its allocation to its 78 area programs. Cuts ranged from 4.5 percent to 9.3 percent this year.
At the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, a record 171,001 meals were served during 2009, up nearly 31 percent from the previous year. Even more people are coming for help this year, official said.
How to helpThe 18th annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive today will collect food donations from homes across the country to help hunger relief organizations such as the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. The National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents the nation's 240,000 letter carriers, will accept nonperishable foods such as canned soups, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal in bags left next to your mailbox today.By the numbers* 1,2225,453 -- Number of Tennesseans receiving food stamps in April* $287.28 -- Average amount of food stamps given per household in Tennessee per month* 19.9 -- Percentage of Tennesseans receiving food stampsSource: Tennessee Department of Human Resources
"It's like looking at a huge tidal wave," said Brother Ron Fender, a caseworker at the Community Kitchen.
Larry Lamonte, a 42-year-old homeless man from Chattanooga, is among those who rely upon the Community Kitchen for many of his meals. Since losing his job when U.S. Pipe & Foundry Co. shut down two years ago, he has worked only occasionally.
"The Kitchen is a real help to a lot of people," he said while waiting in the pre-dawn hours this week for breakfast.
At the Chattanooga Food Bank, a record 17,325 food boxes were distributed throughout the 11 counties in Tennessee and nine counties in Georgia served by the local food pantry. That was up 16 percent from 2008 and was 27 percent above the level in 2007.
"A lot of people's resources are dwindling and they need help putting food on the table," said Clare Sawyer, executive director for the Chattanooga Food Bank.
Mount Praise Church on Monteagle Mountain is among the 380 area churches and agencies helped by the Chattanooga Food Bank. The church continues to draw bigger crowds to its monthly food giveaway, officials said.
On Thursday, church volunteer Angie Bliss was loading up her van with 312 pounds of canned foods and cereal to be given away next week.
"There are so many people without jobs or in jobs that just don't pay enough," Ms. Bliss said.
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