OTTUMWA — The stomach doesn’t care about money or food stamps nor the receipts, bills and identification needed to qualify for assistance. It has only one need — food.

Iowans grow and produce a lot of food but there are at least 128,400 households in Iowa that don’t have enough to eat and they filed for food-stamp assistance.

The 128,400 households represent a 14.8 increase over last year, according to Roger Munns, public information officer for the Iowa Department of Human Services.

“The rise is due almost entirely to the sagging economy,” Munns told the Courier.

But, a rise in food-stamp use doesn’t always indicate bad times. Munns said increased numbers can happen “during good times.”

“The reason then is the department is getting more efficient in reaching people who are eligible,” he said.

Last month there were 279,000 recipients, a 13.6 percent increase over the same month last year. These recipients spent about $30 million on food last month, Munns said.

“Food-stamp benefits are 100 percent federal dollars,” he added.

As of Oct. 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service Web site.

The rapid rise in SNAP/Food Stamp participation should “serve as a wake-up call to both Iowa and national leaders,” according to officials at the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

FRAC is a national nonprofit organization working to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and undernutrition in the United States.

“Far too many Iowa families are struggling to put food on the table, and the problem requires immediate attention,” said Jim Weill, FRAC’s president. “The strength of SNAP/Food Stamps lies in its ability to respond quickly to meet increased need, whether due to economic downturns or natural disasters.”

Local and area food pantries are seeing more hungry people.

Janice Bolger supervises the Appanoose County Lord’s Cupboard and said she’s “seeing more people than usual.” In November ,185 people received supplies and the average for November is 127.

“This increase coincides with this season when people share more stuff. I’ve shared that with a lot of churches and they’re helping,” Bolger said. “Can we do [a higher number] consistently? I don’t know.”