This article presents information from a study of people receiving food assistance services from food pantries and soup kitchens in Virginia. The data indicate that significant numbers of individuals and families--many of whom are employed--are seeking food assistance. Many of these individuals also have been homeless, victims of domestic violence, unable to pay their utility bills, or have lost their public benefits. A critical issue raised by the findings is the low rate of participation in the food stamp program. Fewer than 40 percent of the respondents were receiving food stamps. Although the food stamp program is intended to help households buy a nutritionally adequate diet, there is growing concern that a large segment of low-income Americans are slipping through this safety net. The article concludes with suggestions for social work interventions to address issues of food security.

Objective: This research tested the Social Work Career Influence Questionnaire (SWCIQ) as a measurement tool for assessing career influence variables among master's of social work (MSW) students. Method: A nonprobability sample of 589 students from six MSW programs participated in the cross-sectional survey that included the SWCIQ. Four areas of career influence were identified using factor analytic techniques and item analysis: Personal and Family Experiences, Desire To Be a Therapist, Prestige of the Profession, and the Social Change Mission of the Profession. The four subscales each contain eight items with acceptable alpha levels (.76 to .81). Results: Aspirations for private practice were positively associated with higher scores on the Personal and Family Experiences, Desire To Be a Therapist and Prestige subscales. High scores on the Social Change dimension resulted regardless of the students' career aspirations. Conclusions: Career choice is a multidimensional construct matching personal and social change values regardless of MSW students' projected practice setting.

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