Catholic Charities In the News
Economy, hurricanes spike uptick in food stamp applications
March 7, 2009 - WWL-TV
By Susan Edwards
Visit WWL-TV.com to watch the story >
NEW ORLEANS – Dennis Vereb came to New Orleans thinking it would be a big city with more opportunities.
But he found out fast that he would struggle to search for a job, even in a city that’s faring better than most during tough economic times.
“I’m getting a little distressed. A little depressed,” Vereb said.
Vereb started reached out to Catholic Charities for help, as well as applying for food stamps through the state.
“I had to go and apply myself to help myself out, with bad luck time I’m going through,” Vereb said. “I didn't want to do it, but I had to do it.”
Statistics from the Louisiana Office of Family Support shows Vereb's situation is becoming increasingly common.
“In the past 6 months we've seen that increase in 16, 17, 18, 19 thousand households for the food stamp program,” said Sammy Guillory with the Office of Family Support.
That brings statewide numbers to over 279,000 cases.
In the Orleans region, which includes Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes, the numbers were up from 42,000 to 47,000.
The state doesn't ask applicants why they apply, but believes they know the reason behind the upswing.
“We think it's probably because of the hurricanes and probably because of the economy,” Guillory said.
Toni Chevalier, who stocks her pantries with help from a Second Harvest Food Bank is saddened, but not surprised by the statistics.
“So many people have lost their jobs,” Chevalier said. “They don’t know what they gonna do.”
Second Harvest has seen a 33 percent increase in their services. Catholic Charities reports a spike in the number of people who need rent and utility assistance, comparable to the need following Hurricane Katrina.
“People who have never come forward seeking assistance are now coming forward,” said “And a lot of it has to do with the number of hours that they used to work is not that same as it is now.”
Back to In the News >
|
