SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Tales proceed to pile up from folks eligible for meals stamps within the Memphis space who say the system is failing them, whilst elected leaders say a software program difficulty that was on the root of the issue has been resolved.
Poor communication and staffing, damaged guarantees, and a basic failure to supply the stamps persons are entitled to are devastating for households who depend on meals stamps within the Mid-South.
“Organized for who? As a result of it's not fastened for me and my household,” mentioned Brenda Powell, who has not acquired meals stamps up to now this yr.
She says out of the blue DHS is nowhere to be discovered. Worse but, she is on dialysis and can’t eat something that’s accessible.
“Everyone seems to be pissed off. The children are hungry. It’s unsuitable,” she mentioned. “I simply thank ABC24 for coming so rapidly and listening to me. Hopefully it can assist me and a few of these different people who find themselves struggling.”
Powell considers herself one of many fortunate ones. She has members of the family who’ve been in a position to assist her and have been in a position to go to the meals financial institution to fill within the gaps. Others aren’t so fortunate.
“There are hungry youngsters. We’re doing every part we are able to, however when you possibly can't present for them, it not solely hurts you, nevertheless it hurts the kid too. The very first thing they are going to do once they come to your home and test, is in the event you don't have meals or something, they are going to take your youngsters out of your home,” mentioned mom Tammie Grandberry.
Grandberry and her neighbor Peggy Joiner say they’ve each gone months with out receiving the meals stamps they’re entitled to and don't know the place to show.
“As a father or mother, the very last thing you need is to come back residence and inform your youngsters or grandchildren that you simply don't have what they want. “It’s irritating,” Joiner mentioned. “You're on maintain for a assured three or 4 hours just for somebody to say 'we are able to't aid you.'”
Home Minority Chief Karen Camper (D – Memphis) says the company is at the moment prioritizing older instances, which means these courting again greater than 60 days.
She hopes they are going to be prepared by the tip of the month and the remainder by the tip of March. Anybody having hassle amassing meals stamps owed to them ought to contact their native elected consultant as quickly as attainable.
“The extra you name your elected consultant or senator, the higher we may help transfer this difficulty ahead quicker and quicker,” Camper mentioned. “We might must allocate extra funds to permit you to usher in further assets, so please contact your state consultant and senators.”
Based on Camper, the company has additionally employed an out of doors contractor to assist deal with the backlog.