As the nation's economy appears to shift into recovery mode, the number of Utah families relying on food stamps continues to break records.
As of July, just over 86,000 households were receiving more than $25 million in food stamps, which provide low-income families money for food each month. The number of households increased 3.4 percent between June and July, slightly more than the 3.2 percent growth rate the month before.
"We're not surprised to hear their numbers are higher," said Jessica Pugh, a spokeswoman for the Utah Food Bank. "As more people lose their jobs and economic turbulence continues, more people are accessing food assistance."
Across the state, food pantries now see an average of 40 percent more clients compared to the year before. Earlier this year, they reported about 30 percent growth.
Advocates say it appears that more Utahns than ever are poor enough to qualify for government benefits.
"Utah was a little bit slower to experience the difficult times," Pugh said. "Maybe we'll continue to experience difficult times longer than the national statistics indicate."
The people in need are not always who you might expect. A May survey of 2,000 clients at community action agencies statewide found 43 percent had attended at least some college. A smaller number, 10 percent, had a bachelor's degree or more.
Just over 40 percent had lost their job in the past year.
"What's really interesting is we're seeing so many more middle class people," said Erica Hone, a spokeswoman for Community Action Services and Food Bank, which runs seven pantries including ones in Provo and American Fork. "[These are] people who have never used these services before who weren't even aware the services were available."
She recalled a woman who recently came to their offices and was so embarrassed she spoke in a whisper.
"'I've never been here before but I need help with my house,'" Hone recalled her saying. The woman, who couldn't pay her mortgage, began to tear up.
The 48 percent growth at the Community Action food pantries is even higher than the state average. Many of their clients are there for the first time.
Until now, "they've been completely self-reliant," Hone explained.
Donations are always needed at Utah Food Bank Services. For more information, go to www.utahfoodbank.org. In Provo, donations can be brought to the community action pantry at 815 South Freedom Boulevard.
To find out if you are eligible, go to Utahns Against Hunger Web site: www.uah.org
