Foodshare (Wisconsin's food stamp program) is used by 10% of Wisconsin's population. The amount received varies according to the size of the household, assets, disabilities, and a variety of other factors, but, for every recipient, it helps fill in the gaps for those low-income families and individuals who do not have enough to eat.
By the way, Foodshare is no longer a "stamp" program, but a debit card device, reducing the stigma of using "stamps" in a grocery line.
However, did you know Foodshare helps the entire community by generating spending. Consider these facts, provided by the Federal Department of Human Services and Second Harvest Heartland.
- $5 in Foodshare spending generates $9.20 in community spending (jobs required to produce and distribute food, etc.).
- 50% of Foodshare recipients leave the program within 9 months, returning to self-sufficiency.
- $1 of Foodshare spending results in $0.25 to $0.50 in new food spending.
Nearly half of the Foodshare recipients in Wisconsin are children, many of whom also receive school meals. Still, close to 20% of those children will miss meals during the year. Food pantries help put even more food on the table for these families. This year, WAFER is helping record numbers of clients and we are making a point of assuring households new to us are aware of the Foodshare program.
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