By Christopher Doering, Reuters

The number of Americans receiving food stamp assistance soared above 36 million for the first time in August, the eighth month in a row that enrollment set a record, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Wednesday.

USDA said 36.492 million people were receiving food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In July, enrollment stood at 35.851 million. At the current rate, an estimated one in eight Americans receive benefits.

The program, which helps poor people buy food, has seen enrollment jump by 4.707 million during 2009 amid a lingering economic downturn in the United States. Participation grew by 2 million people from May to August.

In the latest data, the average person received $132.99 in August, compared with $101.31 in August 2008.

Earlier today, in Continuing Claims Soar by 159,000 to New Record; Initial Jobless Claims Skewed By Autos I noted The peak in initial claims might be in but the peak in unemployment has not. Moreover, reported continuing claims hit 6.883 million, setting a new all time record.

Read more….

By Sally S. Ho, The Denver Post

The nation’s economic downturn appears to be affecting all ages, as even the number of young, single people seeking food stamps is on the rise.

With 23,000 Denver residents receiving food stamp benefits, approximately 4,223, or 18 percent, of them are students.

Of that number, a growing 22 percent are single adults enrolled in higher education: community college, trade school or university.

In 2006, 1,934 students applied for food stamps as the head of the household and in 2007, the number rose to 2,190.

Although only up 1 percent, Laura Coale, a spokeswoman for Denver Human Services, said the number might not reflect every student seeking assistance. Read more….