(MintPress) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a $3 million ad campaign, encouraging local USDA offices to throw parties and entertaining events to advertise food stamps to Americans who are in need of the program. While critics posit that this wrongfully encourages food stamp use and reliance on government assistance, the USDA insists that ads are designed to reduce the stigma of the program, while connecting those who are eligible and legitimately in need of assistance.
SNAP parties
The largest ad campaigns have been in California,Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and the New York metro area according to a CNN money report. Some ads, generally broadcast on local radio stations, target the public directly, with specific aims to address underserved seniors, the working poor and legal immigrants.
Additionally, the USDA has advised that offices “throw a great party. Host social events where people mix and mingle,” in a recent statement. “Make it fun by having activities, games, food and entertainment, and provide information about SNAP. Putting SNAP information in a game format like BINGO, crossword puzzles or even, a ‘true/false’ quiz is fun and helps get your message across in a memorable way.”
While conservative lawmakers have lambasted the ads as unnecessarily “encouraging” food stamp use while creating a culture of government dependence, the USDA has defended the decision saying that they are extending a necessary service to Americans in need of assistance.
For many, the services continue to provide essential support. Stacy Dean, Vice President for food assistance policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities states, “Millions of low-income seniors struggle to afford life’s necessities like food and medicine. Enrolling in SNAP can help ease that struggle.”
Reaching seniors and others who are in need of the service has been difficult, and educating the public will explain the requirements and services provided. Kevin Concannon, a USDA under secretary continues on this point saying, “Research has shown that many people — particularly underserved seniors, working poor, and legal immigrants —do not understand the requirements of the program.”
Food stamp growth under Obama and Bush
Conservative lawmakers have pointed out that there has been a 100 percent increase in the number of Americans receiving some kind of SNAP assistance over the past four years. The marked increase has led former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA) to call President Obama, “the food stamp president.”
While the increase is undeniably large, it is not unparalleled given the similar, 63 percent increase in food stamp use during the Bush administration.
Previous natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the economic downturn in 2008, have led to increases in the numbers reliant upon the service. As of March 2012, 46.4 million Americans were receiving an average of $133.14 dollars per month, according to USDA reports. In the fiscal reports for 2011, the U.S. spent $75 billion dollars on food assistance programs.
Americans are eligible for the program based upon low income, unemployment, number of people in a household, household expenses and age.
In certain areas, the distribution of food stamps is much higher than the national average. Nationally, approximately 1 in 7 Americans, around 15 percent, receive SNAP assistance. In Washington D.C. and Mississippi, for example, that number is higher, with 20 percent of residents receiving food stamps.
House Republicans have proposed cuts to SNAP and similar government assistance programs. However, efforts by the USDA and House Democrats have helped to ensure strong government funding for the program. Government investments in USDA food assistance programs, may stimulate the economy as well.
“Every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in an additional community spending,” the USDA contends in their outreach guidance. “If the national participation rate rose five percentage points, 1.9 million more low-income people would have an additional $1.3 billion in benefits per year to use to purchase healthy food and $2.5 billion total in new economic activity would be generated nationwide,” the USDA said in a recent statement.