KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Food stamp recipients in 41 Tennessee counties can learn to save money and be more self-sufficient, a University of Tennessee official said Tuesday.

UT’s Agricultural Extension Service has received $1 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the program, said assistant dean of home economics Patricia Ganter.

 The $1 million grant is being matched by $780,000 from the UT Extension Service and $220,000 from the participating counties, she said.

 ”This program…will teach recipients to use their food stamps more effectively. It also will help them develop economic and social problem-solving skills,” Ganter said.

 The targets will be low-income families and individuals, especially teen parents, battered women, the homeless, working poor, ethnic residents, migrants and people who have filed for bankruptcy, she said.

 The counties already are developing programs to teach nutrition, health, family life and resource management, she said.

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 Following are the participating counties — Benton, Carroll, Henry, Crockett, Fayette, Gibson, Haywood, Henderson, Lauderdale, McNairy, Shelby, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Hickman, Houston, Lewis, Marshall, Giles, Lincoln, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Sumner, Wilson, Wayne, Bledsoe, Bradley, Coffee, Grundy, Hamilton, McMinn, Cumberland, Fentress, Campbell, Carter, Greene, Hamblen, Knox, Sullivan and Unicoi.

Contact: Dr. Patricia Ganter (423-974-7384)

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