Issue 51, December 19, 2003

1. U.S. Conference of Mayors Hunger and Homelessness Survey 2003
2. FRAC Comments on WIC Food Package; USDA to Send Collected Comments on Food Package to the Institute of Medicine
3. Interview: Former Senator Paul Simon on Religious Convictions to Help the Poor
4. Op-Ed: Debate During TANF Reauthorization Needs to Focus on Reducing Poverty and Food Insecurity
5. Op-Ed: Federal Government Policies Favor the Rich as Poverty, Hunger Rise in America
6. Column: Response to Article on Obesity and the WIC Program
7. Report: A County-by-County Analysis of Food Stamp Program Participation in New York State 1995-2003
8. Fall River Sees Increased Demand at Food Pantries, Offers Free Universal Breakfast in Schools
9. One in Three Oregon Children Live In or Near Poverty, Study Says
10. Wisconsin's W-2 Assistance Program Caseload Hits an All-Time High
11. Portland, Oregon Officials Find Living on Food Stamps Requires Dramatic Diet, Life Changes
12. Missouri Food Bank Struggles to Feed the Hungry
13. Maine Department of Education Strikes Deal Banning Unhealthy School Food Sales at All Times
14. Studies Find Meals High in Fat, and Physical Education Lacking in Syracuse-Area Schools

1. U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS SURVEY 2003

(U.S. Conference of Mayors, December 18, 2003)

During the last year, requests for emergency food assistance increased in 88 percent of the 25 cities surveyed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM). In "Hunger and Homelessness 2003," USCM reported that, across the cities, requests increased an average of 17 percent. USCM collected the data for the period November 1, 2002 through October 31, 2003. The annual survey documented increased needs among families with children and elderly persons as well as insufficient resources to fully meet needs in many cities. An average of 14 percent of the demand for emergency food assistance is estimated to have gone unmet in survey cities during the last year. Forty percent of cities said emergency food assistance programs were not able to provide an adequate quantity of food.

http://www.usmayors.org/uscm/news/press_releases/documents/hunger_121803.asp

See FRAC's summary of the report:
http://www.frac.org/html/news/mayors121803.htm

2. FRAC COMMENTS ON WIC FOOD PACKAGE; USDA TO SEND COLLECTED COMMENTS ON FOOD PACKAGE TO THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE

(FRAC Comments, December 18, 2003)

USDA has completed the collection of public comments on the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food package and will send them on to the Institute of Medicine. After taking into consideration the available science and comments, the Institute of Medicine will submit WIC food package revision recommendations to USDA. The link to the FRAC website below is for FRAC's detailed comment letter and further information on the WIC food package review process.

http://www.frac.org/html/news/wic121803.htm

3. INTERVIEW: FORMER SENATOR PAUL SIMON ON RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS TO HELP THE POOR

(Christianity Today, December 10, 2003)

In this interview from the June 12, 1987 issue of Christianity Today and posted after his recent death, the late Paul Simon from Illinois discusses his Christian convictions to help the poor and highlights the good that social programs have done to improve people's lives in America. He points out that, when Social Security was passed in the 1930s, the average American lived to be 58 years old, and now that average is 74.5 (in 1987). Senator Simon credits this lengthening of life to changes made through government leadership, among other things. For example, Senator Simon notes that the Food Stamp Program has "improved the nutritional base of the poor tremendously, and that has added to life." Former Senator Simon also said: "My father took Matthew 25 very seriously --'I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.' To deny people these things really...is not in line with Christian thinking."

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/149/33.0.html

4. OP-ED: DEBATE DURING TANF REAUTHORIZATION NEEDS TO FOCUS ON REDUCING POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY

(Louisville Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY, December 2, 2003)

In this op-ed piece, Viola P. Miller, outgoing Secretary for Families and Children in Kentucky, writes that the debate during TANF reauthorization in Congress needs to focus on reducing poverty and food insecurity, not simply on how many hours per week recipients work. The people who are currently using TANF assistance are those who either need support to help them through rough spots in their lives, or are struggling with formidable barriers to employment. "The issue that belongs on the table, front and center, is poverty. We haven't begun to solve that one." The author points out that investments by states in job training, education and child care will be reduced if Congress focuses on mandating that recipients work more hours.

http://www.stateline.org/stateline/?pa=story&sa=showStoryInfo&id=337209

5. OP-ED: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES FAVOR THE RICH AS POVERTY, HUNGER RISE IN AMERICA

(Capitol Hill Blue, December 4, 2003)

This op-ed by Swanee Hunt highlights the growing number of Americans who are going hungry or living in poverty, as two recent Census Bureau reports have shown. Barbara Ehrenreich, author of "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America," points out that the number of low-wage workers who can't afford a nutritious meal or adequate housing is growing. Since the book was written two years ago, "things have changed for the worse," she says. Ehrenreich estimates that, because of the inflated cost of housing, 20 to 29 percent, or twice the official estimate, of Americans live in poverty. "As the holidays approach, let's acknowledge the large numbers of Americans who can't celebrate. The working poor, the undernourished, the homeless. Let's match our impulse giving with a mature commitment to long-term solutions for our country's intractable problem: the forgotten poor. We can join campaigns for affordable housing and higher wages. Stand up for childcare for working families."

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_3627.shtml

6. COLUMN: RESPONSE TO ARTICLE ON OBESITY AND THE WIC PROGRAM

(Pioneer Press, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, December 11, 2003)

Guest columnists Betsy Clarke, president of the National WIC Association, and the Rev. Douglas A. Greenaway, executive director of the National WIC Association, comment on an earlier article on obesity among American children and the WIC Program. The columnists say that the article misrepresents findings of a study on the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, which serves only serves women and young children who have poor diets and other nutrition risk factors. Thus, the story would have been more accurate if it had shown "that WIC participants, who had poor nutrition practices when entering the program, are now above average in three key nutrients."

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/editorial/7461741.htm

7. REPORT: A COUNTY-BY-COUNTY ANALYSIS OF FOOD STAMP PROGRAM PARTICIPATION IN NEW YORK STATE 1995-2003

(Nutrition Consortium of New York State, December 18, 2003)

In this analysis of county-by-county Food Stamp Program participation data, the Nutrition Consortium of New York State found that each county outside of New York City loses an average of $7.8 million each year in unclaimed federal food stamp revenues. New York City loses an estimated $1 billion per year. The report analyzes data from January 1995 to September 2003 and estimates how many eligible individuals are not receiving food stamps. "When more eligible people receive food stamps and use them at local food retail stores and farmers markets, the infusion of federal food stamp dollars boosts local economies and creates jobs." points out the Consortium's executive director Edie Mesick. USDA estimates that each $1 spent in food stamp benefits generates about $1.84 in economic activity. The report recommends a number of steps to boost participation.

http://www.hungernys.org/programs/foodstamps/trendreport.html

8. FALL RIVER SEES INCREASED DEMAND AT FOOD PANTRIES, OFFERS FREE UNIVERSAL BREAKFAST IN SCHOOLS

(Herald News, Fall River, MA, November 23, 2003)

The city of Fall River in Massachusetts has seen a sharp jump in the number of people using food pantries this fall. In August, the Greater Fall River Food Pantry served about 1,350 people and that number increased to about 1,700 people by October. "The last couple years, the need has increased," said David Perry, president of the food pantry. Through programs like the Child Nutrition Partnership, Fall River manages to serve children in 19 of the city's 21 elementary schools free breakfast every day, regardless of family income. There is also an afterschool snack program open to all students, as well as a summer lunch program.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?
newsid=10557699&BRD=1710&PAG=461&dept_id=99784&rfi=6

9. ONE IN THREE OREGON CHILDREN LIVE IN OR NEAR POVERTY, STUDY SAYS

(Oregonian, Portland, OR, December 15, 2003)

According to a report by Children First for Oregon, in its annual county-by-county report on the status of children, one-third of the state's children live in poverty or near poverty. That means about 321,000 children in Oregon face higher risks of encountering substandard child care, poor diets, no health care and abuse and neglect. In Coos County, 40 percent of the children received emergency food packages in the past year. In the entire state, 5 to 6 percent of residents say they sometimes skip meals, ranking the state at or near the top in the nation for hunger. Another study, from Oregon State University, found that Oregon is unique in that the percentage of hungry residents changes only slightly between people living in poverty and low-wage workers who live just above poverty.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1071493052310650.xml

10. WISCONSIN'S W-2 ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CASELOAD HITS AN ALL-TIME HIGH

(Post-Crescent, Appleton, WI, December 16, 2003)

More than 11,500 people are now enrolled in W-2, Wisconsin's version of the federal TANF program. The state's caseload is at the highest level since the program started in 1998, according to state officials. In January 2001, the number of people enrolled in the W-2 program was 6,679. The Department of Workforce Development requested an additional $2 million in federal funds for the program from the state Legislature's budget committee after $2.7 million was cut from the program last summer in the two-year state budget.

http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_13719616.shtml

11. PORTLAND, OREGON OFFICIALS FIND LIVING ON FOOD STAMPS REQUIRES DRAMATIC DIET, LIFE CHANGES

(World, Coos Bay, Oregon, December 8, 2003)

As part of the Multnomah County Walk a Mile program, seven Portland-area city and county officials were matched with a low-income person and tried to live on food stamps for the month of November. The program was part of a national campaign to bring policy makers face-to-face with the reality of life for low-income people. Some of the officials could not stick with the program, and all agreed that it is nearly impossible without dramatic diet and life changes. "The safety nets that are provided are minimal," said state Rep. Steve March. After participating in the program, Rep. March said he wants to explore ways to prevent the loss of food stamps after recipients find work.

http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2003/12/08/news/news10.txt

12. MISSOURI FOOD BANK STRUGGLES TO FEED THE HUNGRY

(St. Joseph News-Press, St. Joseph, MO, December 15, 2003)

America's Second Harvest Food Bank of St. Joseph is being pinched from both sides with declining resources and increasing demand for food from needy people. The food bank has seen a 24 percent decline in donations from last year's 3 million pounds, while the number of people served has increased to 1,000 per month. Donations from the national organization were down 16,000 pounds and USDA commodity donations dropped by 440,000 from last year. Bright spots come from the National School Lunch Program, food stamps, and other federal programs that supplement the food bank's efforts, says Nicholas Saccaro, the food bank's director. The food bank also receives fresh produce that is grown and donated by the inmates at the Western Missouri Correctional Center.

http://www.stjoenews-press.com/Main.asp?
SectionID=81&SubSectionID=272&ArticleID=48045

13. MAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STRIKES DEAL BANNING UNHEALTHY SCHOOL FOOD SALES AT ALL TIMES

(Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME, December 12, 2003)

The Maine Department of Education struck a deal with industry lobbyists that strengthens the state's ban on unhealthy food sales. The current state ban prohibits sales during school hours, but the new deal bans unhealthy food sales at all times and eliminates soft-drink advertisements from school campuses, including scoreboards. The ban goes into effect next year. Legislators who helped negotiate the deal point out that bottled water sales are already growing faster than soda sales.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/state/031212vending.shtml

14. STUDIES FIND MEALS HIGH IN FAT, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION LACKING IN SYRACUSE-AREA SCHOOLS

(Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, December 14, 2003)

A study by the New York Education Department found that nearly 90 percent of 44 schools in the Syracuse area serve foods high in fats and a survey by the Post-Standard newspaper found every school district in Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties fails to meet the minimum state requirements for physical education time for grades kindergarten through sixth. Many schools are trying new ways to encourage students to make healthier choices. At Rockwell Elementary Patty Cormier, the school's nurse, proposed a program called "Got the Healthy Habit," which adds healthier items to the cafeteria line and rewards children who makes healthier choices with stickers. There is also a healthy activity of the month, a vegetable of the month and a fruit of the month.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/news-13/107122170924040.xml