Food Stamp Usage Up in Missouri

Statistics from the state’s Department of Social Services (DSS) show the number of Missourians on food stamps has increased by about 120,000 since January. There were about 658,000 Missourians receiving food stamps at the start of the year. By July of this year, that number had increased to about 778,000 according to DSS. Most of the increase happened after the COVID pandemic struck when many Missourians lost their jobs. There was an increase of about 90,000 people between March and April.

According to Feeding America, over 813,000 people struggle with hunger needs in Missouri. Over 200,000 are children, approximately 1 in 7 individuals. People in Missouri facing hunger are estimated to need $395,122,000 more to meet their food needs.