Food Stamp Requests Soar

The number of Floridians seeking food stamps has jumped dramatically... more than 45 percent since April.
That's the word from the state's top social service official who announced a new Web site designed to help handle the growing demand for food stamps, as well as Medicaid services and temporary cash assistance.
Department of Children and Families says 1-point-7 million Floridians are now getting food stamps, up 45 percent since April 2007.
That's the biggest increase in the nation.
"These are families, these are children, these are our fellow Floridians in need and we must do everything we can to make their lives better," said Governor Charlie Crist.
Because of the state's budget problems, D-C-F has not been able to hire any additional workers to handle the increased demand for food stamps and other services.