HILO — Figures from the state Department of Human Services show the number of Big Island residents receiving food stamps continues to rise by the hundreds every month.

The Hawaii Tribune Herald reports figures provided by the department show that over a period of 12 months through September, 5,567 Big Island residents signed up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps.

The newspaper says state figures show that 18,513 Big Island households are enrolled in the program, or 36,768 people. That compares to April 2007 when 19,434 people were receiving aid.

Statewide, 147,250 people are receiving food stamps.