Report Exposes Broad Food Hardship; Underscores Need to Protect SNAP & increase Food Shelf Funding

ST PAUL – 28 FEB 13 – 13.7 percent of respondents in Minnesota reported in 2012 not having enough money to buy food that they or their family needed at some points during the prior twelve months, according to a new report released by Gallup and the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

You could say Byron Laher is more sensitive than many to the needs of the hungry.

Sitting for a haircut at his neighborhood Fantastic Sam’s recently, he couldn’t help but ask the stylist: “How’s business?’’Clients are fewer, the tips smaller this month, she said.

Could she use a little extra food, he asked?

More of Minnesota’s elderly residents are signing up for food stamps.

In 2012, the number of elderly on Minnesota’s food stamp rolls jumped by more than 2,500 people.

That was largely the result of a campaign by state officials and anti-hunger groups encouraging senior citizens to sign up.

Growth slowed this year in the number of Minnesotans seeking help to provide food for themselves and their families.

Three main programs — food stamps, food shelves and subsidized school lunches — all hit record levels of use in 2012, but in each case the pace of increase has slowed.

“It’s always good news when we don’t see 10 percent increases, because that means the level of panic is d

VIRGINIA — The AEOA accepted a nice six-figure holiday gift last week.
State Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, delivered a check for $110,000 to the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency for the social agency to spread out to the various food shelves in the northeastern Minnesota region it serves.

Bakk launched a fundraiser in the Twin Cities area a few years ago for Iron Range food shelves.

Farm Bill Extension

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk to host 6th annual hunger relief fund drive with special guests Governor Mark Dayton and Vikings’ Chad Greenway

Hunger Solutions Minnesota and Senator Tom Bakk will host the 6th Annual Stock the Shelves event. This event raises proceeds dedicated to Arrowhead regional food shelves.

Because of SNAP, more than a half million Minnesotans have been able to stay above the poverty line. Minnesota experienced a 56 percent increase in SNAP enrollment from 2007-2010.

As a result of the Recession, millions of people lost jobs and the poverty rate in the United States rose sharply. People who had been living comfortably were laid off and suddenly became impoverished, and those who were already struggling to make ends meet saw resources becoming even more scarce.