With unemployment on the rise, and economic problems deepening, a record number of Floridians now receive food stamps. And the rolls are growing by the month. According to the Florida Department of Children & Families, more than 1.6 million Florida residents received the federal vouchers in September. That includes more than 120,000 in Broward Counntywho got more than $12 million to spend on groceries, and almost 69,000 in Palm Beach County who received more than $7 million.The number of recipients has climbed 20 percent in Broward in the past year and is up almost 26 percent in Palm Beach County.The figures for Miami-Dade County: 337,485 recipients in September, granted vouchers worth more than $33 million. That’s up 15 percent from a year ago.”The percentage increase we’re seeing today is directly tied to losing jobs and not being able to meet the food budget anymore,” said Jennifer Lange, director of DCF’s food stamp program, referring to a client caseload that has soared past enrollment peaks reached after major hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.With no end in sight we can anly assume that the rising trend will continue to grow.
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