Another sign of the recession are food stamp increases. Now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, clients receive debit cards with money on it.

John Ayers, director of Shenandoah County Social Services, says that there has been a 34-percent increase in the number of SNAP households. He says SNAP households increased last year when they usually see a decrease. By fall, the number increased quickly.

"It's like someone threw a switch," says Ayers. "Suddenly we had a huge number of applications and that's primarily, it coincides with unemployment."

Ayres also says many people are eligible for SNAP and don't realize it. He says the best thing to do is call your local department of social services and they'll work you through the eligibility process.