More Americans are depending on food stamps and food banks, especially senior citizens. New government statistics show the number of seniors living alone who seek help from food pantries in the US increased by 81 percent between 2006 and 2008. And the demand continues to increase. Catholic Charities USA reported a 54 percent increase in requests for food and services from seniors nationwide during the third quarter compared to the same period last year.

Aine Duggan, Food Bank for New York City: “The fact of the matter is that staggering unemployment rates, poverty and food insecurity are increasing across the nation, and all of the economists are predicting that those staggering unemployment rates are going to last until 2012. So, it’s very difficult for those of us who are working on the front lines to understand what’s meant by recovery and recession ending, because it’s not ending any time soon for the people we serve.”