Oregon Hunger Rate Surges; Food Stamps Fill Need

Statement by OCPP analyst Joy Margheim on food insecurity data.

Photo courtesy: Food Bank

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Data released today showing a surge in Oregon's hunger rate remind us of the importance of the expansion of food stamp benefits in the federal recovery package.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that more than one in eight Oregon households (13.1 percent) struggled to put food on the table at times during 2006-08. Oregon's rate of food insecurity was unchanged from 2003-05 and not significantly different from the national rate for 2006-08.

But the share of Oregon households experiencing hunger, "very low food security," increased to 6.6 percent (one in 15 Oregon households) in 2006-2008, up from 3.9 percent in 2003-05. Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Oregon and Mississippi had the largest percentage point increases in their rates of very low food security.

The nation as a whole saw increases in both food insecurity and hunger or very low food insecurity in 2008 compared to 2007. Because it is necessary to combine three years of data to get reliable state-level estimates, the picture at the state level is not as clear.

The USDA data on state-level food insecurity include two years of economic expansion and extend only to the end of 2008, so they do not show the full impact of the recession. More Oregonians today likely face difficulties feeding their families than the USDA figures indicate.

The hardship for Oregon families would be greater were it not for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or food stamps. Time and again food stamps have demonstrated their effectiveness in curbing food insecurity. Oregon Department of Human Services data show that Oregon's food stamp caseloads have grown by 45 percent since the recession began, with more than 340,000 Oregon families receiving SNAP benefits in October 2009.

Funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has been vital in meeting that rising need. Through November 13, 2009, Oregon spent $80.9 million in ARRA funding for increased SNAP benefits and administrative costs. Oregon is expected to receive roughly $180 million more in SNAP funds by the end of 2010. These are important federal dollars boosting Oregon's economy.

Because these federal dollars are spent quickly here in Oregon, they generate substantial economic activity: $1.73 for every dollar in additional benefits.

It's clear that, at a time of great need, federal stimulus spending is helping many Oregonians weather the recession and providing our economy a boost.

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Dear taxed, I have paid taxes for yrs. I am 60 now, female, divorced, (since he thought I had cancer)can't find a job, a big chunk of my small retirement went bye-bye. Can you give me a job? Or should I just starve? By the way, a third of my electricity doesn't work because of some electrical problem, and just today I had to unplug my kitchen stove as something broke on it and the oven won't turn off. I worked in law enforcement in the past, and was in the army reserves in the 70's while I was a single mom putting myself through school. I haven't asked for help yet. Will probably end up living in my van. Thanks for the empathy.

We need jobs for a long term fix. That is the only way to assure long term revenue to get food on the tables. The current DC policies are short-sighted and are failing. We have the economic models to stop the bleeding, but it's my opinion that this is an intentional process. There is growing resentment that will soon dwarf the protest movement we saw last summer. This upcoming senate vote on Saturday dealing with the health bill will start to crystalyze the thinking of even the most radical. I would not be surprised if Obama moves to the far right and request's major tax cuts. His numbers are falling quickly and this will be the only way to stop the fall. Just watch, I would say in December you may see an emergency congressional process for a tax cut.

Friend DJ et al: Thank you for honest, open, ethical continuation of dialog in your last. We value your continuing "intense" (read: sincerely felt) statements, built on wide, intense, insightful examination of history. Re this one over here: Going Hungry In The USA America's Economic Pain Brings Hunger Pangs; USDA report on access to food 'unsettling,' Obama says By Amy Goldstein Washington Post Staff Writer 11/18/09 -- The nation's economic crisis has catapulted the number of Americans who lack enough food to the highest level since the government has been keeping track, according to a new federal report, which shows that nearly 50 million people -- including almost one child in four -- struggled last year to get enough to eat. At a time when rising poverty, widespread unemployment and other effects of the recession have been well documented, the report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides the government's first detailed portrait of the toll that the faltering economy has taken on Americans' access to food." Re current changing situation proving "exceptionalism" in positive vein NOW, Seaside SIGNAL,, leading weekly in Coast area, reports more than 2300 pounds of asst. food items gathered by one group at local hospital, others on way with more...more than 500 families assisted, more than 5,000 in last year. Point: 21st Century in U.S. seeing tremendous new growth in community-based positive action groups, killing off longtime "I got mine, the h... with YOU ! approach implicit in "Government IS the problem" mythical distortion from now- outmoded previous political cabal built on distortion and perversion for private-gain purposes. Great Depression drew FDR and New Deal, supported by similar huge public outcry, growth in understandings, new policy and positive actions. DO believe we seeing much comparable with hopeful new regime, demanding followership and support rather than deep political-pander attack based on past now outgrown history. Note:S-N dialog here playing key role in correcting wrong impression, broad failure to understand even within U.S., and comprehend most impactful trend underway in the U.S. NOW... Takes strong player to pick up the ball and keep firing at the basket...!! GO It, Dan !

My sincere apologies for the apparent "wide open" intemperance of my last post. I was actually directing my aggression against the post by "Taxed" and those of his ilk, but once I got going, I lost my focus. Sorry, coach, lost my head.

Friend D.J. et al:

Your last statement sums up this situation accurately and comprehensively.

We Americans are truly very "exceptional" in many, often peculiar, ways, not all always "positive".
Churchill summed it up for you AND us beautifully in his statement that America makes the right decision --but also insists on trying everything else first. (Paraphrased.)
Your insights appreciated, but perhaps strengths there need to be applied to horrific carryover from earlier days of British Empire, still hanging over what remaining "empire" is able to do, and with strong consequences for world --as in India and China and elsewhere from previous perhaps not so wise treatments, not always by treaty and democratic trial.
Your own points re Canada and your province surely also now illuminate that necessity.
Many of us (we are ten times as multiple as Canada) know all too well what we face --and what's more, we know the WHY, too.
That's WHY we hopefully vote for change and the leaders who can make it so. But change is painful, slow process, and now demands strong followership as well as strong leadership.
Mine/yrs continue to make that point, and we thank you for your courageous statements helping us to see where we may have failed, and where we need to work harder, now.

BUT we need no lectures, nor slaps/in/face comparisons; and esp. we need no denial of our inbuilt American right to speak sharply and with real intensity to those who need guidance within our society.
They are always free to respond, on First Amendment created by OUR Founders.
That's HOW democracy works, as history teaches us well --including Churchill plea to FDR to turn loose strengths of our somewhat inchoate America just then emerging vs class, corporate and other malign major influences-then --which we historically dealt with in such fashion as to accomplish our current status,
We still have much strong internal dialog underway, sure to lead to further progressive achievements.
Can the same still be said of "the British Empire"?

That still includes Canada, whether "symbolic" or still in full legal application and at least sometime-control. by your own system, demonstrated often in mutual actions now.

(This response here rather than by direct, at your own choice.)>

This story exemplifies the fundamental wrongness about American society today and its mythological beliefs about itself. There are some states that are so-called “right to work” states. What this really means is that people are not allowed to, or discouraged from, banding together in unions to make better lives for themselves. The employer calls the shots, encouraging lower wages for employees. People in unions make about 30% more than non-union workers. Why would ordinary workers be against unions? Beats me.

My point is that all Americans should have a real and effective right to work which means everyone who wants to work should have access to a job. And if the private sector cannot supply jobs, then it's up to the fellow citizens of the nation to support each other. But this is not just my opinion. I refer to FDR’s “Four Freedoms" speech of 6 January 1941. He said:

"The basic things expected by our people of their political and economic systems are simple. They are:

Equality of opportunity for youth and for others.

Jobs for those who can work.

Security for those who need it.

The ending of special privilege for the few.

The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a wider and constantly rising standard of living.

These are the simple, the basic things that must never be lost sight of in the turmoil and unbelievable complexity of our modern world. The inner and abiding strength of our economic and political systems is dependent upon the degree to which they fulfill these expectations."

There’s something terrifically inappropriate for me, a Canadian, to be pointing out to Americans their own history that they have repudiated.

Taxed:

Can only hope you and family find yourself without work, without income, without further resource, facing eviction and nothing in the kitchen.

THEN perhaps you will feel more like responding to human want when it is personally painful to you that sometimes people are so captured by our system, even today.

Ever been in that situation yourself ?

If NOT, you speak from good luck and circumstance not open to some millions in the U.S. ever since Real Depression days, despite better circumstance for many others of us.

First yr. I taught, in small Maine town where mill had burned, in early R/D/days, we had kids faint often in class from hunger. ONLY resource in that community then was the early food-dole, inadequate for some families.

Ten yrs later in Boston at UPI had close contact with the then-beginning agencies and those they served to survive: Of all those I encountered, very few were themselves so in command of their own lives as to be able to guarantee avoidance of necessity for some help.

Visit a few of these persons yourself to "see with own eyes" what is the reality; it may amaze you and even shock and sadden you...first step for sensible, sensitive, rational and reasonable understanding perhaps leading to change in your attitude,given facts well on record with legislators who have provided funds at working levels.

Take your kids with you,too, to make sure they learn the truth about our "system" !!

If you give it away, they will come. Same works for food, rent, health care..... It is always more affordable when somebody else is getting taxed to pay for it.

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