By Chris Taylor
Frankfort, KY – More Kentucky families are using the state's Food Benefits Program as a result of the recession. The number of families signed up for benefits grew by almost 42,000 last year, bringing the total number of individuals receiving aid to about 771,000. More people now are qualifying for the assistance because of job scarcity and unemployment benefits expiring. Kentucky Youth Advocates Tax and Budget Initiative Director Brigette Ramsey tells the Paducah Sun she expects the rate increase to slow, but will continue to grow with no telling when it will stabilize. The new food aid figures are expected to cost about $98 million.