Atlanta
(2008-11-06)
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"People need these benefits and they shouldn't be ashamed to get them, said Jim Weill, the Center's president. "So Atlanta is flat to down. Other cities have gone up, some of them very rapidly. Baltimore, where they've been working very hard at getting more people into the program jumped, for example, from 73% to 86% in one year," he added.
When Laura Lester of the Atlanta Community Food Bank heard one in four Atlantans eligible for food stamps isn't getting them, she was surprised. "Traditionally in Georgiait's usually been about 65%. So that's actually an increase."
Lester says she has seen improvements. Applying here has become more streamlined. And there's less stigma. Recipients now use a debit card instead of food coupons.
Jim Burress, WABE News.
© Copyright 2009, WABE
