Created: 12/9/2008 8:18:15 PM 
Winston-Salem -- When Forsyth County Department of Social Services employees arrive at work each morning, they're growing accustomed to seeing a crowd of people waiting to apply for food stamps.
"In our intake room, we were probably seeing 60 to 70 a day and we thought that was high," said Artetta McKinney, program manager for Food and Nutrition Services. Those numbers were for last year. "We're averaging over 100 a day currently."
While some of the people applying for food stamps have been through the process before, McKinney says Forsyth County is seeing an average of 500 new applicants each month.
"It's the economy," explained McKinney. "We've had a lot of folks--and you're aware of that--that have been laid off of work."
To qualify for food stamps, you must meet certain income requirements. "We're serving 67 percent of the folks her in Forsyth County that are eligible," explained McKinney. "Our goal is to get that other 33 percent in here."
If you are approved for food stamps, it can take up to 30 days for your benefits to go into effect. To learn more about applying for food stamps, call or visit your county's Department of Social Services.
WFMY News 2
