Alameda County Community Food Bank

Press Releases: Top 5 Food Stamp Myths Keep Working Families from Getting Help

Contact: Kari Martell
(510) 287-2344

Top 5 Food Stamp Myths Keep Working Families from Getting Help
Alameda County Community Food Bank releases survey and outreach materials to dispel these myths

Oakland, Calif. (9/29/04) – At a time when poverty is increasing, the fact that only 50% of all eligible households in California are participating in the federal Food Stamp Program is puzzling, so the Alameda County Community Food Bank undertook a study to uncover the barriers to applying. The Top 5 myths keeping people from applying for food stamps are:

MYTH #1: The Food Stamp Program is a form of welfare.

FACT: The Food Stamp Program is NOT a form of welfare; it is a free nutrition assistance program available to all people who need it.

MYTH #2: Food stamps have to be paid back later.

FACT: Food stamps never have to be paid back.

MYTH #3: It’s embarrassing to use food stamps, because everyone at the store knows when someone is using them because they are coupons.

FACT: Food stamps are now distributed by a plastic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that looks and works like a credit card or ATM card, making it easier and more confidential to use food stamps.

MYTH #4: People who don’t have legal US residency cannot apply for their children to receive food stamps, even if their children have residency.

FACT: Children who are residents can receive food stamps, regardless of whether their parents have legal residency or not.

MYTH #5: People who work or who receive unemployment aren’t eligible for food stamps.

FACT: Even working people or those receiving unemployment may still qualify to receive food stamps, but people must apply to find out.

“We want to bust these myths and connect people who can’t make ends meet with a program that could help them stretch their budgets so they can buy food for their families,” states Suzan Bateson, executive director of the Alameda County Community Food Bank. “We urge people to call us so we can pre-screen them for food stamps, and refer them to an immediate source of food if needed,” she adds.

Based on the survey, the Food Bank believes the government needs to:

raise income guidelines and benefit amounts for food stamp recipients
stop further cuts to the Social Service Agency
increase funding for food stamp outreach projects
reduce the number of office visits that people have to make to apply for food stamps
ensure that all applicants understand the process of applying
strength the safety net for all low-income people
continue to research the barriers people face when applying for food stamps

New Food Stamp Marketing Materials

The Food Bank is also testing new outreach materials designed to increase working families’ participation in food stamps, including a video and brochure which feature peer role models, such as Germey Baird, a working father of two children. Outreach materials will be distributed at schools, WIC offices, food pantries, churches and clinics.

"Food stamps relieve a lot of stress of worrying about where or how my kids are going to eat,” Baird states. “Thanks to food stamps, I am able to provide my family with nutritious food,” says Baird, who lives in Oakland.

"We're hoping this campaign featuring a real working family using food stamps will appeal to other working families and encourage more people to apply for this beneficial nutrition program," states Gomez.

In partnership with the Alameda County Social Services department, the Food Bank will facilitate a free food stamp training workshop for hunger relief agencies on Thursday, September 30, 2004, from 9:30 am to 12pm in Hayward at the Eden Area Multi-Service Center, 24100 Amador Street, on the 2nd floor in the California Poppy Room.

For a free food stamp pre-screening over the phone, or to find out about attending an upcoming free pre-screening clinic, Alameda County can call the Food Bank at (510) 834-3663.