Demonstrators take food stamp fight to State House

PROVIDENCE—About two dozen advocates for the poor said the state is not doing enough to sign up those eligible for food stamps.

They protested Monday outside the governor’s executive office in the State House.

The demonstrators said 60,000 Rhode Islanders are being left out, and they blame Gov. Don Carcieri for not hiring enough workers to handle food stamp applications.

Henry Shelton of the George Wiley Center said changes can be made without the federal stimulus package.

“We don’t even need that to get this done. The governor has within his power to hire the 40 workers and to open up the rules—open up at night, open up on the weekends,“ Shelton said.

The advocates also want the income eligibility raised from 130 percent of the poverty level to 165 percent.

A spokesman for the governor said he would look into the advocates’ request. But he said more people on are food stamps now than ever before.

Rhode Island ranks last of all states for getting qualified people into the food stamp program.

The advocates said they will be at the governor’s office everyday this week at noon to make their case.

They wanted to meet with the governor Monday, but Carcieri is on vacation.