Sign Of The Times: Food Stamp Use Soars (while unemployment is running out in some states)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/23/eveningnews/main4684836.shtml

(CBS) John O'Donnell works the night shift at a Manchester, N.H., hospital. An Air Force veteran and a trained commercial painter, he mops floors to help make ends meet.

This week, for the first time in his life, he applied for food stamps, CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts reports.

"I have, uh, $3 and 3 cents in my pocket. Maybe a handful of pennies on my bureau," he said. "I own a car, and that's it."

He's behind on his rent. And as a diabetic, he spends more on medicine than he does on food. His dinner the day we saw him was a peanut and jelly sandwich and a cup of coffee.

What about savings? Checking account?

"Nothing," he said. "I have absolutely nothing."

Nothing but his pride - and even that's shrinking.

"Initially, it was tough eating the pride. You know, I mean I'm 52; I've never been down this road," he said.

FULL story at link.