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Food stamp recipients jump 25 percent
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Posted on Feb 04 2000
The number of food stamp recipients jumped 25 percent from 1998 to 1999 or a total of 1,517 households, as the island’s economy remain at a standstill, according to James Kintol, Nutritional Assistance Program director.
Due to the increase in food stamp grantees, Mr. Kintol said he has asked for a $1 million additional funding on top of its recently approved $5.1 million budget for Fiscal Year 2000.
“They did approve the request for additional budget since there are indications that the food stamp recipients are increasing. We just have to submit the proper documents or show proof to justify the request,” he said.
While prices of gasoline continues to rise, NAP has no plans at all to increase the benefits provided to its clients as long as the prices of basic commodities remain the same based on the Consumer Price Index.
Since the food stamp program was established, the CNMI government has seen a reduction in the number of recipients until Asia’s financial crisis begun in July 1997.
According to Mr. Kintol, the plunge of the CNMI’s tourism economy has led to a huge decline in income of many local entrepreneurs and taxi drivers since the drop in visitor arrivals in 1998.
Many locals were also affected when the government implemented a freeze in hiring and private companies carried out a reduction in manhours to cope with the revenue losses.
Among the food stamp grantees, NAP has also recorded an increasing number of teenage mothers who have sought assistance.
In cooperation with the Northern Marianas College, NAP offers educational assistance to help low-income earners become financially independent. The adult education classes includes General Education Development or trade courses which would allow them to seek better employment.
NAP has even launched the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program which offer participants assistance in budgeting, guidance in choosing nutritious foods and even skills in sewing their own clothes.
To make sure that the recipients are also looking for jobs, NAP regularly refers them to the Department of Labor and Immigration for possible job placement.
