Bay Area Food Banks Brace For Food Stamp Cut Surge

More than 4 million Californians who rely on food stamps found less money on their cards today.

Across the country food stamp benefits dropped for more than 47 million people. A temporary benefit from the 2009 economic stimulus that boosts food stamp dollars will no longer be available.
 
Congress has just begun negotiations on further cuts to the program

New cuts mean a family of four now receives $36 less a month.

This will likely put pressure - on Bay Area food bank agencies.

The figure of $36 a month may not sound like much, but that means 51,000 families in Santa Clara will each lose about 20 meals a month.

Which is why the Second Harvest Food Bank is expecting it will soon be struggling to serve a lot more people.

People like Henry Morita of Sunnyvale. The 56 year old is already on a shoestring budget and says losing some of his money for food will be tough.

Every year Second Harvest Food Bank provides 52 million pounds of food to the hungry in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

Now, because of the new cuts, the agency is gearing up to help even more people.

Second Harvest said they tend to see an increase in need during the holiday season every year but are very concerned this year because of the cuts they think they will have more people needing their help than ever before.

And more cuts are expected to the food stamp program.

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