A soldier chooses food and toys at an Operation Homefront event. (Wikimedia Commons)

Since the 2008 recession, military funds spent on food stamps have risen by over 300%, skyrocketing from 31.1 million to 103.6 million in 2013.

"There's a very real need," said Thomas Greer, representing non-profit Operation Homefront, which is dedicated to helping soldiers living near the poverty line.

Last year, Operation Homefront handled 2,968 emergency calls for help from active military members asking to help with groceries.

Help is mainly needed among the newest members of the military occupying lower ranks. Base salaries for a low-ranking soldier is around 20,000 dollars a year, which is barely above the poverty line. 

According to CNNMoney, the rise of soldiers' use of food stamps may very well reflect the weak economic recovery thus far. 

The job search is hard for active-duty military spouses, especially if they have to relocate every few years - the Military Officers Association of American revealed the unemployment rate among military spouses to be 30% during 2012.

Read more at CNNMoney:

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