Food stamp usage up in Oklahoma

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state Department of Human Services says more Oklahomans are receiving food stamps. <br><br>More than 336,000 people got them in July and that's up 26% from a year before.

Tuesday, September 24th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state Department of Human Services says more Oklahomans are receiving food stamps.

More than 336,000 people got them in July and that's up 26% from a year before. The DHS says the average Oklahoma household gets $184 worth of food stamps.

Officials say a steady increase began a little more than two years ago.

The DHS says it's not worried by the increase. Mary Stalnaker of the agency says economic bumps and the national effort to educate people about the food stamp program are two reasons for the increase.

Records show the state's welfare rolls have dropped by more than 59% over the last nine years.