Eastern Iowa families apply for WIC program at increasing rates

Social programs are trying to feed a growing need in Eastern Iowa.

With poverty rates rising, more people are asking for federal assistance to feed their families.  Ten years ago, 13 percent of children in Iowa lived in poverty.  Today, that number has risen to 16 percent.  That's an increase of nearly 15,000 kids -- more people are in need with even less to go around.

It's a steady rise in demand as the economy continues to take its toll on Eastern Iowa families.  The WIC, or women, infants and children, program is designed to help put healthy meals on the table.

"(We're seeing) more people that are new to our program and also people who haven't been on for a while and are coming back,” said HACAP Clinical Manager Kim Ott.

They're asking for the federal dollars to help fill their refrigerators and cabinets with basic necessities through the WIC program in Linn and Johnson counties.

"There are people who are extremely hard working down on their luck, and that can happen to any of us at any time,” said Johnson County WIC Program Registered Nurse Stacy Ritchie.

In Linn County, in just one month, 150 more clients signed up for the WIC program.  Johnson County has seen a similar trend.

The program offers the basic ingredients to common meals. One check might give a family the necessary amount to buy milk and eggs.  Another check will pay for fruits and vegetables.

"So it can take a big chunk out of your paycheck that you would normally use to buy groceries. The WIC Program can help with that,” said Ott.

And while the program is helping more families, the USDA cut funding to Linn County by 20 percent last year.

"We did have a decrease in staff and decrease the number of clinics, but we have been able to provide the same number of services,” said Ott.

That means more people dipping into a shrinking pot -- a trend WIC staff say will continue.

"With our economy I'm assuming that our needs are going to increase,” said Ritchie.

To apply for the WIC Program you have to meet income eligibility guidelines.  For a family of four, that means earning less than $41,348 a year.

For more about those guidelines, click here.

For WIC Program information in Johnson County click here.

For WIC Program information in Linn County

click here.