Hunger Rate No Surprise To Food Banks Federal Survey Finds 1 In 10 Idaho Households Affected

One in 10 Idaho families don’t always have enough money to buy food, according to a U.S. Agriculture Department report released Thursday.

Nationwide, 9.7 percent of households were either hungry or had uncertain access to food between 1996 and 1998, according to the study. Idaho’s rate was 10.1 percent, Washington’s 11.9 percent and Montana’s 10.2 percent.

North Idaho food bank directors say their services are in such demand, they’re surprised the government’s findings weren’t higher.

“We’re just so busy,” said Paul Donnolo, North Idaho community services manager for the Community Action Agency. The Coeur d’Alene Food Bank gives out about 375 food boxes each month, Donnolo said.

Cathy Larson, Post Falls Food Bank manager, said about 2,000 people get food there each month.

“They need to develop a program to help families that are out there, really trying their best … to help them get on their feet,” Larson said.

Nearly half of all students in North Idaho schools receive free or reduced-price lunches, according to the Idaho Kids County 1998 survey.

Idaho has been among the most aggressive states in reducing its welfare rolls in recent years. Food stamp recipients have dropped from 89,000 to 55,000 during the same period.

“We see a lot of people that are looking for food from the food bank but are not on food stamps,” Donnolo said. “There may be some intimidation going to health and welfare. It may just be easier to get food from the bank. They want to walk out with tangible goods.”

There are 3,518 North Idaho families receiving food stamps, said Steve McKenna, self-reliance program manager with the state Department of Health and Welfare in Coeur d’Alene. People seeking help through his office are often asked if they could use food stamps as well, McKenna said.

“We don’t hide our programs,” he said. “There is some outreach activity. … Somebody doesn’t have to come in and say, `I need help with food.”’ Nationally, two of five working families eligible for food stamps apply for assistance, according to the Agriculture Department.

Thursday’s report by the Agriculture Department was based on annual household surveys conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

New Mexico had the largest share of families short on food, at 15.1 percent, while North Dakota had the lowest rate, 4.6 percent.

“During this, the most prosperous economy in decades, it should shock most Americans to learn that hunger persists and it is in every state,” Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said. “The problem of hunger amid America’s plenty cannot and will not be ignored.”

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne declined to say Thursday whether the USDA study would prompt a re-evaluation of the state’s welfare reforms.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.