What has been the effect of Welfare Reform on Second Harvest Food Bank?
The Food Bank has seen a significant 40% increase in the average number of people served over the past 1 1/2 years and an 9% increase in the amount of pounds distributed to people seeking food assistance in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties over the past two years. It is uncertain how much of these increases can be directly attributed to Welfare Reform. What is clear from recent trends, is that people seeking food assistance are returning for help more often, especially as their benefits run out.
