Indians in Rapid City hurt by rising food costs

Thursday, March 27, 2008  

The rising cost of food is hurting Indians in Rapid City, South Dakota, who rely on assistance from the state.

At a meeting with the South Dakota Department of Social Services, Lynn Thunder Bull said a loaf of bread used to cost 96 cents just two weeks ago. Now it's $1.26.

Dennis Grinnell lives on veterans' benefits. But when those went up, his food stamp assistance went down.

"Food stamps are not keeping up with the cost of living," Grinnell said, The Rapid City Journal reported. "Food stamps have got to keep up with the times."

State officials acknowledged the tight times but said only the federal government can raise food stamp benefits. DSS Secretary Deb Bowman said the state has been allowed to make some adjustments due to rising cost of living.

Get the Story:
Food stamps don’t meet needs, recipients say (The Rapid City Journal 3/27)