<< Back 8/28/02 Hunger still prevalent in WNC, says providers By Scott McLeod MANNA Food Bank, in conjunction with the national organization America’s Second Harvest, conducted a survey in spring 2001. The nationwide survey was based on interviews with 32,000 people, while MANNA surveyed 338 clients and 223 agencies. MANNA serves 17 counties in Western North Carolina. Below are some of the results from MANNA’s survey in WNC: ° 31 percent of households served have one employed adult (lower than national average) ° 76.5 percent have incomes below the federal poverty level (above the national average) ° 47.5 percent choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel (above national average) ° 29.8 percent choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care (close to national average) ° 26.2 percent receive food stamps (below national average) ° MANNA Food Bank provides food for more than 68,000 people annually. ° 20,657 different people receive food in any given week. ° 31.9 percent of the people served by MANNA Food Bank are under 18 years old. ° 28.1 percent of those served by MANNA are homeless. If you want to help MANNA in any of the 17 counties it serves, call Volunteer Coordinator Karen Etheredge in Asheville at 828.299.3663, ext. 232 or Debbie Albrecht in Franklin at 828.369.2550. Hunger is more prevalent in Western North Carolina than most want to believe, and children, single moms and the elderly are its most common victims. That was the message delivered last week when leaders from agencies that help people who can’t afford food gathered at Haywood Community College to share information. The forum was sponsored by MANNA, a foodbank that serves 17 western counties from its offices and warehouse in Asheville and a second distribution center in Franklin. “Lots of people just don’t believe that hunger exists in Western North Carolina,” said MANNA’s Lisa Gibson, who does outreach in rural counties. “It’s not a happy thing to discuss, but it is real.” The stories from participating agencies — and the statistics they shared — reveal that many in Western North Carolina rely on food banks and a core group of agencies for their meals. Caron Smith is in charge of the food stamps program at the Haywood County Department of Social Services. She said that the program distributed $294,506 in coupons for July to 3,950 recipients, which comes to about $75 per month in food aid to each person in the program. Since DSS keeps detailed records, Smith was able to share statistics that paint a picture of who is relying on government help. About 42 percent of the food stamps given out in Haywood County in July were for children under 18. Of the 1,832 heads of households who received food stamps, 1,449 of those were headed by women. Fourteen percent of the recipients were older than 60. The DSS statistics also addressed the issue of the working poor. Thirty-four percent of those receiving food stamps hold full-time jobs and still qualify for help. According to Smith, a recent analysis of those who receive food stamps and work showed that, on average, they take home about $680.72 a month in salary. The average rent payment per month — most are on some type of subsidy — averages $253, and the average cost for rent and utilites is $425.12. “That leaves about $250 per month,” said Smith. “And that explains why working people can’t afford food. That’s not much money for food, clothes, transportation and everything else.” Gibson said those who work with the hungry hear stories every day about how hunger and other poverty-related issues are interconnected. “Many can’t buy food because of medical costs, rent, or taking care of an elderly or sick relative,” said Gibson. Carla Woody heads the Haywood County Meals on Wheels program. It operates 22 routes serving 450 people who get up to five meals per week. The agency operates with five full-time staff members and more than 300 volunteers. Meals cost $2.76. “Ideally everyone will get 21 meals a week. With many of our clients, we’re not sure about those other 16 and where they come from,” said Woody. Meals on Wheels’ reliance on volunteers means many who have asked for food aren’t getting it. Woody said the agency has a waiting list of 300 Haywood residents who have requested delivered meals. Woody said the agency is desperately in need of more volunteers. Sandy Brooks is the director of food services for Haywood County Schools and is in charge of the cafeteria services and employees at all 15 schools. She said new computerized registers that assign students a 3-digit number has helped eliminate the “stigma” of getting a free lunch. Still, she said many who probably could use nutritional help don’t even apply. “No one here yet has talked about mountain pride, and I think it is a factor. I think it’t totally different here than in other parts of the state,” said Brooks. In Haywood County schools, 38 pecent of the students meet federal guidelines to be eligible for free or reduced lunches and breakfasts. That percentage has risen from 33 percent in 1994-95, said Brooks.