Press Conference: The Speakers Task Force on Children and the Recession and Child Nutrition Programs

Did you know that Connecticut is the last state in the nation for the percentage of schools participating in school breakfast, and only 39% of all children get breakfast? How about that 25% of children that eat a free or reduced price meal at school get a meal in the summer? That Summer Feeding programs help close the achievement gap? What about all the federal funding we’re missing out on because of low participation rates?

What can be done? Come to our press conferences on Monday to find out!

When: Monday April 19, 10:00 am

Where:
Middletown – Amazing Grace Food Pantry, 139 Main Street Ext
Join Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Speaker Christopher Donovan, House Majority Leader Denise Merrill, Representative Gail Hamm, parents, providers and advocates

Stonington – Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, 27 Chase Street, Pawcatuck
Join Representative Diana Urban, co-chair of the Speaker’s Task Force on Children and the Recession, parents, providers and advocates

Enfield – Enfield Food Shelf, 96 Alden Avenue, Enfield
Join Representative Karen Jarmoc – co-chair of the Speaker’s Task Force on Children and the Recession, parents, providers, and advocates

Childhood Hunger is all over the state as these three press conferences attest to. We can do something about it and stop leaving money off the table. Join us!

Hartford Childhood Obesity Coalition Begin Talks of Treatment and Prevention

A panel of influential persons in the plight against childhood obesity in the Hartford district met to discuss childhood obesity prevalence within our community and abroad. Identification of problems as well as a rationale was the basis for its first meeting. Coalition structure and meeting frequency was also discussed for panel effectiveness.

Prevention and treatment were discussed separately behind all relative environmental factors pertinent to both modes of intervention. It was daunting to try and examine and determine root causes for such an evasive national epidemic within a span of an hour and a half. Ultimately, the Coalition will meet henceforth, however, I felt as though I could be there all day identifying and rationalizing the root problems associated with childhood obesity.

Professionals and researchers in the field are aware that it is not just one determinant cause. We as a society, children as well as adults, have developed into a population which have strayed from simplicity. All our foods are processed and added with numbers of unnatural ingredients which I do not even wish to go into. We slump day after day into the same sedentary lifestyles behind a computer or in front of a TV. I always find it disturbing to see a person at a gym or on a walk with their phone in hand texting madly as cars swerve to avoid them. We as a society have become obsessed with electronics. What would we do without our TV or computer or phone?

Children today are not developing within a do-it-yourself society. Everything is so easily accessible. Fast food establishments provide quick and cheap meals which should have a toxic warning on the label. Microwaves reheat highly processed food, typically consisting 75-100% of a person’s daily allowance of sodium, despite whether or not it is deemed as “health conscious.” The Wii has developed games to allow children to become more physically active and I am appreciative of such efforts, however, I believe that acts more as a short term solution and simply puts a band-aid on the problem.

The Coalition was successful in brainstorming a slew of problems relevant to the obesity epidemic. Prevention and treatment of obesity was deemed as necessitating differing modes of intervention. Environmental factors, specific to Hartford, were identified along with some possible modes for solution. Childhood obesity was assessed across the age spectrum. For example, children younger than 2 years of age would be placed within the prevention intervention rather than treatment with an emphasis placed upon breastfeeding containing the following: decreasing overall breastfeeding barriers; establishing improvements in maternity labor laws; increasing breastfeeding support through lactation consultants; and enforcing Baby friendly hospitals.

I was thrilled to sit in on the first meeting of the Hartford Childhood Obesity Coalition. The ideas which were generated were ground breaking and hold such potential for impact. The task at hand is all encompassing, however, and necessitates a true zeal in fighting against obesity. I look forward to hearing progress from the Coalition with successes in both prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

Kristin Hantzos, EHC! Intern

Children Affected by the Recession Targeted in New Bill

The recent economic hardships have been on the minds of millions of Americans as unemployment rates remain high. Impacts are echoed across the landscape with a stringent effect upon the vulnerabilities present only to children. The Act Concerning Children in the Recession, Bill No. – 5360, presented by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly of the state of Connecticut, seeks to identify particular areas of concern and avenues necessary in preventing hardship among children. To raise awareness of such social concerns and to identify efforts necessary for relief is monumental in bill appropriateness and effectiveness.
I was very excited to be present to hear the testimonials delivered by members of the Children and the Recession Task Force from varying individuals and groups affected by the recession. The bill identifies the following state and federal agencies to provide aid and relief to children affected by the recession: the Department of Social Services; Public Health, Education, and Children and Families on topics of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Unemployment; and Medical insurance.
End Hunger CT! held a place in providing testimonials upon the relevance of SNAP benefits and the aid of federal programs currently in place to provide a means for relief. Such federal programs as school breakfast programs and the Summer Food Service Program are both available for school districts and can be utilized by the state.
Unfortunately, Connecticut currently ranks last in the country for school breakfast participation. Absolute funding is available through federal funds; however, it appears outreach efforts are necessary to increase awareness of such programs toward qualifying districts and persons.
I look forward to seeing increased attention placed upon such efforts as we seek to alleviate hardships manifesting upon the children in Connecticut and abroad. It is obvious that the hardships established through the recession have impacted us all in indifferent ways. Some, more than others, become more vulnerable to the stresses and inefficiencies of the state. Through the Act Concerning Children of the Recession, we as a state can address such concerns and provide the relief and opportunity each child deserves.

Kristin Hantzos, EHC! Intern

Free Health Clinic at the Connecticut Convention Center

Two tons of medical supplies, more than 1,000 H1N1 vaccines and hundreds of antibiotics, and it was all free for anyone in Connecticut without health insurance.

My experience at the free health clinic was an incredible and even more eye opening experience than I had thought. On a professional level, it was amazing to see and meet so many organizations just waiting to help others. I was excited to know that there were so many doctors and nurses along with many volunteers and social service agencies ready and available to provide assistance to those in need.

End Hunger Connecticut! was there to provide SNAP/Food Stamp information and determine eligibility for attendees. I was surprised by how many people were unaware of their eligibility for SNAP benefits. It was a shocking experience to see so many people come through- each with their own passionate story. So many people have been displaced from jobs, relationships, and even homes. Hearing some clients who feel they were not eligible made me want to give them everything I had. So what I did was just that, giving them all the information that they would need to apply for SNAP benefits.

I wish I could give more to those who need it so badly. So many people were excited and happy to hear that they would be eligible for SNAP benefits. With this came many who felt ashamed and too proud to accept any help. A few patrons needed persuading in going to tables and asking for help because they could not bring themselves to ask for it.

I heard stories of injured electricians who never thought they would have to ask for help. Grown men and women cried because they couldn’t bear to hear their own story of losing what used to be their life. I wanted to make sure they knew that we were there to help them.

A member of the free clinic spoke about all the helping hands that participated that day. I became very emotional by the powerful and inspirational words. I wanted to just spread out my arms to hug and comfort the very proud people who took the courage and bravery to come out today for help. It is not easy to ask for help especially if you have never been in this situation. I wanted to commemorate each individual who worked up the courage to come in and work towards having a better and healthier life.

By 3:00 pm the free clinic had already seen over 750 people and had over 1,000 appointments with tons of walk-ins. Once patrons received health services they would filter into the social service area, where they received information about other programs.

I left the Convention Center feeling proud of what I had done that day. Although I cannot fix everything I can start by helping them to the best of my ability. Hunger is not over yet but we can help, by making hungry families something of the past.

-Jerrett Wyant, EHC! Intern

New Survey Finds 14.6 Percent of Households in Connecticut Unable to Afford Enough Food in 2009

More than 14.6 percent of households in Connecticut reported not having enough money to buy food that they needed during the prior twelve months in 2009, according to a new report released by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

For the first time, data on food hardship – the inability to afford enough food – is available for every state, every Congressional District and for 100 of the country’s largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), including Connecticut MSAs Bridgeport–Stamford-Norwal

k, Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford and New Haven-Milford.

In households with children almost 1 in 5, or 18.7%, struggled to put food on the table. Each of the five Congressional Districts in Connecticut had more than one in ten residents reporting food hardship in 2008-2009. “This up to the moment data reaffirms what we’re seeing in local communities around the state – families are struggling in Connecticut. These findings increase the drumbeat that more must be done – and quickly, to help this state’s struggling families” said Lucy Nolan, executive director of End Hunger Connecticut!, a statewide anti-hunger organization.

The Department of Social Services reported earlier this month that there is an increase of 30% of new SNAP, or Food Stamp, participants over the last year. “Take a look around you and you’re likely to see someone in need of food today. I think this is as clear a call as possible that we need to ensure our friends, family and neighbors have access to the programs that help them – especially our children.”

The rate of food hardship decreased slightly in 2008 due to the decrease of the costs of food, and the increase in participation and benefits in the feeding programs. “These programs work – people in Connecticut have been slammed, like the rest of the country, but the SNAP program and school lunches were there for them” said Nolan.

The report analyzes survey data that were collected by Gallup and provided to FRAC. The ability to provide such localized data and such up-to-date data comes from Gallup’s partnership with Healthways, interviewing 1,000 households per day almost every day since January 2, 2008 as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index project. Through December 2009, more than 650,000 people have been asked a series of questions on a range of topics including emotional health, physical health, healthy behavior, work environment and access to basic services. Specific to this report, more than 530,000 people were asked whether there were times over
the preceding year that they did not have enough money to buy food they or their family --- needed.

The Gallup survey question on food hardship is very similar to one posed by the Census Bureau and analyzed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its official measure of food insecurity, but because of the sample size Gallup provides us with a closer, more localized and more recent look at food hardship. Official government data on food insecurity have a nearly one-year time lag and do not go below the state level.

“The data in this report show that food hardship – running out of money to buy the food that families need – is truly a national problem. It is a national problem in the sense that the rate for the nation is so high,” said Jim Weill, president of FRAC. “And it is a national problem in the sense that rates are high in virtually every state, Metropolitan Statistical Area, and Congressional District.”

These new numbers are especially relevant as Congress looks at jobs legislation and other strategies to mitigate the damage of the recession, and reauthorizes child nutrition legislation this year. End Hunger
Connecticut! has joined FRAC in calling for improvements in a range of federal nutrition programs, including SNAP/ Food Stamps and child nutrition programs, and for more efforts to boost the economy, create more well-paying jobs and reduce unemployment.

“President Obama has set a goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015,” said Nolan. “As we can see with this new up-to-date data, the struggle with hunger is a serious problem here in Connecticut for children and adults. Not a minute can be wasted between now and 2015 if we’re to reach that goal. All corners of government, the private sector and nonprofits must work together in order to implement long-term strategies that will battle our nation’s hunger crisis.”


The full report is available at www.frac.org

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Connecticut specific information:

Excerpted from “Food Hardship: A Closer Look at Hunger (Data for the Nation, States, 100 MSAs and Congressional Districts)" at www.frac.org


Food Hardship Rate Ranking

2009 14.6% 47/51
2008 16.0% 35/51


Food Hardship 2008-2009 by presence/absence of children under 18 years : 15.1%

W/out children: 13.3 With children 18.7%


Food Hardship in 2008-09 for 100 Largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA’s)

Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT 14.1% 90/100
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT 14.5% 86/100
New Haven-Milford, CT 16.1% 75/100


Food Hardship (08-09) by presence or absence of children under 18 – 50 Largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas:

Hartford-West Hartford- East Hartford, CT w/out children 12.7% with children 18.1%


Rates of Food Hardship by Congressional District in Connecticut
District Congressperson Rate 2008/09 National Rank
1 Larson 15.2% 304/436
2 Courtney 12.8% 358/436
3 DeLauro 15.1% 309/436
4 Himes 12.1% 380/436
5 Murphy 16.0% 280/436

Food That's In When School is Out

Statewide, hunger affects tens of thousands of children who are used to getting free or reduced-price meals at school. The federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) fills this gap by providing free meals to kids 18 and under at schools, parks, recreation centers, and summer
camps. According to a recent report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), an average of 2.9 million children were served nationally in July last summer, a 1.7% increase over the previous summer. There is no doubt hunger will hit families even harder due to the poor economy. Fortunately, this year there are more program sponsors and sites where kids can
go for a no cost meal-sometimes breakfast, lunch-or even supper.

To find a site nearest you, please call United Way 2-1-1 or End Hunger CT! at (860) 560-2100 ext. 303.
The Summer Food Service Program is administered by the Connecticut State Department of
Education and funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service.
For more information on Summer Food, e-mail dcrayco@endhungerct.org.

No Brag , Just Fact

Mom always said that bragging wasn’t nice. For the most part, I pretty much listened. But every once in a while you have to let people know about something really terrific. In that case, it’s not bragging, it’s just stating fact.

Case in point: Two Awards in two weeks!

March 25th, Suzette Strickland was honored by the Hartford Commission on the Permanent Status of Women with a reception and award at City Hall. Not more than 14 days later, the Hope Seventh Day Adventist Church also recognized Suzette with a “Thank You” plaque.

Suzette has been a passionate anti-hunger advocate for individuals and families in Hartford for almost eight years. Her outreach work at EHC! has helped hundreds of people access the food stamp program to put more food on their tables. Her work has been more of calling than a job.

I’ve been fortunate to work with Suzette doing SNAP outreach. I can’t say we’ve always seen eye-to-eye on our approach. There’s even been a time or two when we disagreed on a particular method or strategy to the point where I thought my head would explode. Happily, we managed to keep the room free of brain splatter by recognizing that we both want the same things. We want to make room at the table and put an end to hunger in Connecticut. No one works harder at that than Suzette; that’s a fact.

It’s nice to see others recognize her work. “Congratulations colleague”; or to put it in Suzette’s vernacular: “You Go Girl!”

-PTC