Food Stamps and Americorps, another Acorn?

I recently read a NY Times article about the food stamp program in New York city. Where previous administrations had reduced the number of people on the federal program, now the city seems to be promoting the program "with materials that all proclaim a civic duty to apply- to "help New York farmers, grocers, and businesses. There is even a program on Rikers Island to enroll inmates leaving the jail."

Of course this is a controversial issue, in that most people see the need to help their neighbors in need and maybe the program is the best way to organize and administer the benefits, but one might question the logic in the next couple of paragraphs.

One case was about a Harlem widow, age 45, that worked as a part time school crossing guard. She made approx. 15k per year since her husband died. She was called by the Food Bank and ultimately applied and received $147.00 per month in food assistance. Supposedly when she went into the outreach office, she was talking happily about her daughters' college degrees and the cost of oxtail meat.

Another recipient, a 24 year old college graduate whose immigrant parents told him to "not be a burden on the country" As an Americorps volunteer, he has a stipend of $2500 per month. A food bank worker and his fellow volunteers pushed him to apply, saying, " there is enough aid to go around"

Currently about 1.6 million people in New York City are on food stamps.