South Georgians on food stamps will notice a cut in their benefits starting Friday. Nationwide, the food stamp program is cutting $5 billion, and agencies that serve people expect a major increase in the demand for their services.

28.5 percent of the households in Dougherty County, more than 36,000 people, receive food stamps or assistance through SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Relief programs aren't sure they can keep up with the increased need they expect because of these cuts.

Food stamp recipient Bridgette Johnson goes to the Lord's Pantry in downtown Albany to get food and clothes for her and her five children. She says she can handle the food stamp cuts, if they are not too big.

"It depends on how much they are cutting," said Johnson. "Now if they are cutting $25, I don't think that will be a problem. But if they are cutting $50 to $100, I think that will be a big decrease for the family."

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