DN! Hunger among Seniors up 81% since 2006

More Americans Depending on Food Stamps and Food Banks

More Americans are depending on food stamps and food banks, especially senior citizens. New government statistics show the number of seniors living alone who seek help from food pantries in the U.S. increased by 81 percent between 2006 and 2008. And the demand continues to increase. Catholic Charities USA reported a 54 percent increase in requests for food and services from seniors nationwide during the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Aine Duggan, Food Bank for New York City: The fact of the matter is the staggering unemployment rates, poverty, and food insecurity are increasing across the nation and all of the economists are predicting that those staggering unemployment rates are going to last until 2012. So, its very difficult for those of us who are working on the front lines to understand whats meant by recovery and recession ending, because its not ending any time soon for the people we serve."

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