White House Report: SNAP Helps Alleviate Poverty In Oregon

A White House report out this week highlights the effects of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on poverty rates.

Oregon has one of the highest rates of SNAP (commonly known as food stamps) participation among people who are eligible. The White House report shows that SNAP benefits helped 47,000 Oregon families living in poverty in 2013.

"It's pretty simple, when families have enough resources to buy food and other basic needs, they escape poverty," said Matt Newell-Ching, with Partners For A Hunger-Free Oregon. "And that has great consequences for kids, families, pregnant moms, seniors, anyone who is trying to get back on their feet."

According to the state, about one of every five Oregonians receives SNAP benefits. Starting in 2016, thousands of people in Multnomah and Washington counties could lose food stamp benefits. Limits to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will take effect for some households early next year.