~a column by Mary Weaver, Democrat Women’s Caucus chair
I have been trying to lose some weight. When I am hungry, I am hard to live with. ( Just ask my husband.) When I am really hungry I get a headache, and sort of wobbly, but I am fortunate to always have food available.
There are friends and neighbors near us who do not have that luxury. It is old data, from Iowa State University, but I am going to share. From 2010-2014, 13.4 percent of Greene County’s population was at the poverty level and 12.3 percent were considered food insecure.
The Iowa Hunger Coalition reports for January 2023, Greene County had 884 individuals and 415 households who were aided by SNAP, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. This is 10.08 percent of Greene County’s population. SNAP is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. This amount of $127,835 for January was incoming funds from the federal government.
“Social determinants” many times create the need for persons to receive SNAP benefits. Poorly educated individuals have lower paying jobs, inadequate health insurance may result in extreme medical bills, a vehicle worth less than $10,000 may be in poor running condition resulting in unexpected car repairs, major furnace problem in the house, etc., all force persons into the need to seek food assistance.
While we in Greene County feel good about articles showing our art, and economic development, nearly 50 per cent of our students attending Greene County Schools receive free and reduced lunches. Annie Smith of Paton-Churdan Schools reports an anonymous donor pays monthly overdue meal charges for students. Students in both schools (90 for P-C, 50 for GCCS) receive weekend food packages through the efforts of the Food Bank of Iowa.
Our legislative representatives have supported changes in assets to qualify for SNAP. We in Greene County do not have supplemental transportation, so being allowed only one car in a rural county makes two family members holding jobs nearly impossible. Limits not allowing purchase of sliced cheese, peanut butter, and allowing only whole grain bread makes grocery shopping for a family with children very difficult.
Michelle Book, Director of the Food Bank of Iowa, a 1979 graduate of Jefferson-Scranton explains, “Many Iowans fail to understand that the federal government funds SNAP. Administrative costs are split 50/50 between federal and state governments. Adding more restrictions lessens the dollars coming into Iowa to benefit our grocery providers and families, along with increasing the cost to the Iowa taxpayer.”
She further states, “The War on Poverty proclaimed by Lyndon B Johnson in his January 8, 1964, State of the Union Address seems to have morphed into War on People in Poverty.”
Greene County’s food pantry volunteer director Shirley Haupert patiently explained the Food Bank of Iowa delivers meats, canned goods of both fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, sometimes oil, flour, and spices one time per month. It is not free, but the costs are greatly reduced. A can of green beans may cost up to $1.50 at the store but may be purchased by her from the Food Bank of Iowa for $1.15.
Greene Countians using the food pantry services are up from 18 per week a year ago, to currently 35 users per week. Most of them are in the 20-55 years of age, but about 60 families are over age 60. She describes that limited job skills, a physical disability, or mental health issues keep individuals from holding a job.
She is grateful for civic groups, Grow Greene County, churches, and individuals for their contributions. She praised the Greene County Community Foundation for helping purchase a solar panel that has decreased their electric bill, allowing more of the donated dollars to be used for food. She is also grateful for her 12 regular volunteers and her 35-40 others that she may call upon for assistance. She runs a really tight ship, with an overall budget of $20,000. If persons wish to assist, she is grateful for donations. People donate during the holidays, but then donations diminish. Any donations may be mailed to 1006 N. Vine, Jefferson, IA, 50129.
Another supplemental food program WIC, Women, Infants, and Children, hosts a clinic every month at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.
SNAP benefits our Greene County economy as well as individuals down on their luck. Please encourage our legislators to retain the current SNAP program for our Greene County neighbors.
