As the economy sputters, states are taking extraordinary
measures to help people keep food on the table, and the federal
Food Stamps program is their primary tool. This year, soaring
food and energy prices and lost jobs have led a record number of
people to enter the program -- more than in any year since the
program began in 1964. But even as the number of applicants
surges, states are reaching out to millions more who may not
realize they are eligible or are reluctant to participate. Only
65% of Americans with incomes low enough to qualify for Food
Stamps seek help, leaving many who either go hungry or end up
relying on other federal and state assistance programs,
according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which
administers the program. With strapped budgets, states have an
incentive to use as much of the open-ended federal food aid
program as possible, because none of the money comes out of
their pockets. USDA funds 100% of the benefits, while states pay
a little more than half of administrati