Oregonians top nation in food stamp use

A larger share of Oregonians depend on food stamps than any other state in the nation, Census data shows.

Nearly 18 percent of the state's residents said in a 2010 survey that they had relied on the federal program sometime in the previous 12 months.

Food stamp use in Oregon surged 23 percent last year, vaulting the state to first in the nation. In 2009, six other states had rates the same or higher than here.

"This is one of those leadership positions I don't think anyone wanted to see," said Gene Evans, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Human Services. "The numbers are huge in Oregon. I think everybody knows somebody who is either working fewer hours or working fewer days or lost their job. There are lots of families depending on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to keep their kids fed."

Read more at OregonLive.com.

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