SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A cut in federal food stamp benefits is putting pressure on food banks and other agencies that serve low-income residents in the Joplin area.

Officials of Crosslines Ministries of Joplin and Carthage, and the Joplin Salvation Army say they've had an increase in requests for food and they expect those numbers to climb.

Food stamp payments have dropped 5 percent since benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program were decreased Nov. 1. A family of four saw an average decrease of $34, dropping their monthly allocation to $632.

The Joplin Globe reports more people started visiting the food pantry in Crosslines in October.

Kathy Lewis, executive director, says most of the people are working. The pantry is also seeing more elderly people on fixed incomes

More From AM 1050 KSIS