FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 20, 2004 
CONTACT: Jacob Dipietre (850) 488-5394

Governor Bush Thanks USDA Secretary for Ivan Relief Assistance

--Rapid response by DCF, USDA brings $5.3 million in relief to Floridians--

TALLAHASSEE- Governor Jeb Bush today thanked U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ann Veneman and the USDA staff for their quick response to help Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ivan.

"Once again, Secretary Veneman and the USDA have gone above and beyond to support Panhandle residents hurt by a hurricane. Together with the Florida Department of Children & Families, USDA has quickly responded to Ivan victims by reissuing food stamps to eligible households," Governor Bush said. "More than 29,000 Panhandle residents awoke today to find nearly $5.3 million in September food stamp benefits had been replaced to enable them to replace the food lost due to storm-related power outages."

"Ivan's wrath caused tremendous financial and emotional hardship for the people we serve in the Panhandle," DCF Interim Secretary Lucy Hadi said. "DCF staff and USDA worked quickly to provide much-needed relief to these children and families. We will continue to stand by these Floridians in their time of need."

To date, more than $43 million in Economic Self-Sufficiency relief benefits have been provided to Floridians victimized by the three hurricanes.

More than 1.2 million Floridians currently receive food stamps.

-30-