With Food Stamp Reduction, Jacksonville, Fla. Church Helps With Food

On Jacksonville, Florida's Westside sits New Mount Zion Baptist Church. Here, once a week, more than 700 people line up, many arriving while it is still dark out, many from south Georgia or the beach areas of Florida. They gather to collect food for their next meal, The Florida Times-Union reports.

Many of the people served fill boxes, bags, carts - anything - with enough food to last until the next food giveaway or until their next food stamp allotment kicks in.

Several people interviewed by The Florida Times-Union expressed concern with the impending reduction in food stamps slated to begin this month.

To read the entire article, click here.

House Approves Cut In Food Stamp Spending - How Did Your Elected Officials Vote?

In a vote that will adversely affect those relying on food stamps, House Republicans approved "a sweeping overhaul to the nation's food stamp program." The cuts would take $39 billion from the program, thus cutting aid to approximately 4 million people over the next few years, The Washington Post reports.

House Majority Leader Eric I. Cantor (R-Va.) orchestrated strategy to separate funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, of food stamps, from the farm bill. While Cantor acknowledged that many food stamp recipients need assistance, the cuts are required because many people "choose to abuse the system," adding "...[I]t's wrong for hard-working middle-class Americans to pay for that."

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.) stated that the stiffer work requirements would mean "you can no longer sit on your couch...and expect the federal tax payer to feed you."

The House voted 217 to 210.

So, who voted for and against the food stamp bill? Click here for The Washington Post's article on how the vote went.

Unhappy with how your representative voted? Call his or her office, make your voice heard, and remember to vote...