SMITH COUNTY - Just last month. millions-and-millions of dollars in food stamps was used in Texas.

And in East Texas, those numbers remain high.

Now, it's even tougher.

That's because those who use food stamps monthly are struggling with the high cost of food.

To give you an idea of how high prices have gotten, a dozen eggs is up 35-percent from last year.

And, a gallon of whole milk is up 25-percent.

At the same time, the amount of food stamps per family stays the same.

Patti Kuchinsky is one of the many people in Smith County using food stamps to get by at the grocery store.

Kuchinsky says, "Everything has gone up. Electricity. Gasoline. It just gets harder and harder to make ends meet."

Especially, with the rising cost of food.

Patti only gets 150-dollars a month for groceries.

She spends about 40-dollars a week.

Kuchinsky says, "Which is not very much at all."

According to the Department of Health and Human Services-- Patti isn't alone.

Right now, in Smith County, there are more than 17-thousand residents on food stamps-- totaling 1.6 million dollars.

And in East Texas as a whole, there are more than 85-thousand people who need help.

The price tag--- more than 8-million dollars.

Kuchinsky says, "People who are on food stamps are people who are trying hard to get by, either working or retired incomes. There's a lot of stigma. But a lot of people wouldn't be getting by without it."

Patti says she's been getting the governments help for food for the last three years.

And it's in that amount of time, she's learned to change her spending habits.

She double checks store flyers.

She makes a list.

And sticks to store brand and sale items only.

Kuchinsky says, "I try to make sure I don't get too much. i don't want any of it to go bad."

According to the Department of Agriculture, chicken costs 10-percent more a pound since last year.

A loaf of bread is up about 16-percent.

And a dozen eggs--- now a whopping 35-percent pricier.

Kuchinsky says, "I went to the store and paid $1.59 a dozen for eggs. Two weeks later, they were $2.09."

Kuchinsky adds, "It just seems like in the last four months, I get less and less."

And food stamps for some aren't cutting it.

Robert Bush says, "Those families would then go to one of our pantries."

Every month, the East Texas Food Bank serves more than 780-thousand meals to families.

That's about one-million pounds of food.

But what people don't realize-- not only are they helping family's out, they're feeling the pinch from prices too.

Cost of the food they give out is donated, but some of it-- they buy.

Bush says, "For us, we're buying it in bulk. It's inexpensive as the cost of food goes but it does cost us funds."

Still, they say they're always there to help.

unfortunately.. the amount of money a family gets for food stamps will not change anytime soon-- even with the rising cost of food.

That's because the federal government will not make adjustments until October rolls around.

So for now, Patti and other families will have to keep saving, and cutting coupons to make it work.

One thing you may not know is, the East Texas Food Bank does have a person on their staff-- who helps people who are applying for food stamps.

They say that person makes sure the paper work is filled out correctly.

Officials with the Department of Health and Human Services say, although they can't predict the future, a change in the economy could mean more people on food stamps.

If that happens, that would create a workload for their offices.

And, they're understaffed as it is.