PHOENIX — A Valley rescue mission is getting ready for more possible customers because 47 million Americans began receiving fewer food stamps Friday.

In 2009, Congress passed a temporary financial boost to a nutrition program. That increased funding expired Friday and there’s no sign that Congress will continue it, meaning millions of Americans are about to get fewer food stamps. For example, a family of four that received around $660 per month in food stamps will now get about $36 per month less.

Workers at the Phoenix Rescue Mission believe more people will come looking for help because of the cut.

“We have really prepared for about a 10 percent increase,” said Nicole Pena, the mission’s director of community outreach.

Pena said the mission knew this day was coming and workers been preparing for a while.

“We’ve been able to work with our private sector partners to get more food and really stock our shelves,” she said. “We feel like we’re ready.”

Pena said if the mission sees a 20 percent or more increase in people needing help, it will start to feel the pinch.

For more information on the Phoenix Rescue Mission, click here or call (602) 233-3000.