What's New - Page 1

In recent years a dramatic shift has occurred in the reason why people come to food pantries throughout the United States. This change is definately being experienced at Caritas of Waco. Most persons who now come are returning month after month to receive food. Their needs are not so much "emergency" as it is to have their family's food supply supplemented every month.

Why? Because the number of working poor in Waco and throughout the U.S. is growing. At the national level 43 million people are living in low-income, working class families (the working poor). 28 million workers (one-fourth of the workforce, 18-64 yrs. of age) earn less than $9.04/hr, which translates into an annual income of $18,800, the federal poverty guideline.

In Waco, 24.5% of household incomes are below the poverty line. Per capita income stands at $14,584, with the average household income being $24,264. Most telling of all is that 20.4% of Waco households live on less than $10,000 per year.

WERE THERE IS POVERTY, THERE IS HUNGER!

"HELPINGS: HEALTHY FOOD FOR HEALTHY FAMILIES"

In response to the continued demand upon local pantries for "supplemental food", the McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC), with Caritas of Waco as the lead pantry,  has initiated "Helpings: Healthy Food for Healthy Families", a Food Stamp outreach program which is intended to grow the number of families who are able to take advantage of the USDA's Food Stamp Program. 

Currently, only 42% of persons eligible for Food Stamps are utilizing this supplemental nutrition program in McLennan County.  What this means is that about $33.5 million in available funds for good, nutritious food for McLennan county resident is not being used. 

This outreach effort, led by Esther Morales, Director, will utilize volunteers at several pantries, including Caritas, the Care Center of Highland Baptist Church, Mission Waco, Operation Crisis, the Salvation Army, and Mt. Lebanon Seventh Day Adventist Church, as well as at several other hunger ministries like Central Texas Senior Ministries, to encourage eligible persons to take advantage of the Food Stamp Program.  In this connection the local Food Stamp Office, especially Judy Berkheimer, has been extremely supportive of the creation of this outreach effort, and will continue to be supportive in its implementation.  This outreach program is being funded with a generous grant of $34,000 from the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation for its first year of operation.

Potentially, up to $30 million could be pumped into the local economy if all eligible individuals and families would utilize Food Stamps.  An additional positive result will be that local food pantries, which are currently struggling to provide supplemental food for thousands of individuals and families, could find the demand lessened, so that they can better provide emergency food assistance to those most in need in the area.

Special thanks to the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation for funding this program for its first year, and to Judy Berkheimer and others at the local Food Stamp Office who are being extremely supportive of this effort.

 For information call Esther Morales at 753-4593.

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