NORWICH – Given a noticeable drop in the number of customers enrolled in Chenango County’s division of the Federal Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), local WIC coordinators are reaching out to families that are in need of help.
The number of people currently enrolled in the WIC program has seen a slow but steady decline since the beginning of the year. According to Director Katha Root, WIC - a subsidiary of Opportunities for Chenango - typically enrolls approximately 1,700 people each month from its locations in Norwich, Greene, Bainbridge, Afton, New Berlin, and Sherburne. That includes approximately 150 pregnant women, 100 breastfeeding women, and 125 postpartum women, in addition to 375 infants and 950 children county-wide.
But the total number of people enrolled in WIC has fallen by nearly 150 from this time last year, Root explained. And while it might not seem like a significant number, she said the agency is spreading word that it’s there to offer women and children assistance in dire times of need.
“These numbers are usually constant throughout the year ... We really aren’t sure why numbers are down now,” Root said. “It’s concerning. We know there is a need out there. We know that people need food and we want people to come back if they need the help.”
Eligibility for WIC is based on income. Food checks are redeemed at the grocery store for milk, bread, cheese, eggs, peanut butter, brown rice, canned beans, juice, cereal, baby formula and jars of baby food. Additionally, families receive nutrition education and referrals to other resources within the community.
Root pointed out the decline in WIC numbers are in contrast to other Chenango County community action agencies such as Catholic Charities’ Roots and Wings program, whose food pantry reported the highest numbers of people it has ever served in November.
Like WIC, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), administered through the Chenango County Department of Social Services, has also seen a dip in numbers in recent months, albeit nonsignificant, said DSS Deputy Commissioner Daniel Auwarter.
SNAP, more widely known as the Food Stamp Program, supplements a family or household’s food budget.
In Chenango County, SNAP averages 3,973 open cases and 236 new applicants for the months of January through June. For the second quarter (April-June), DSS saw a decrease of about 4 percent in SNAP applicants compared to the previous quarter (Jan.-March).
“When you look at the number of applicants registering per month, we are down a little,” said Auwarter. “But we still see a consistent need, given the number of applications we receive.”
In the meantime, organizers at WIC are doing what they can to meet the nutritional needs of county residents by working with other area agencies such as Eat Smart NY, Chenango Health Network, Planned Parenthood, Head Start, and the Chenango County Public Health and Mental Health departments.
More recently, WIC joined forces with local Farmers’ Markets. In 2012, 666 families received Farmer’s Market coupons of $24 per family, totaling $15,984 for the year. Hopes are to see similar results this year.
“We are surprised when people don’t come back and there is still a great need,” said Root. “We want to let people know that we are here and we are a resource.”