Commentary
Hunger in Charlotte: It's not OK

Do you know how many of your neighbors are facing hunger each day? There may be as many as 200 Charlotters who qualify for food stamps but are not receiving them. As the costs of food and fuel continue to rise, families at this income level – about $27,000 for a family of four – are finding it increasingly difficult to put food on the table. Families at or below this income level may be entitled to funds under the food stamp program.

What does this mean for the children in our community?
Brain development in children is greatest in the first five years. Adequate, nutritious food is necessary for brain growth.
Hungry children don’t learn. In a town that spends nearly $16,000 per pupil (Town of Charlotte, Annual Report), that investment is jeopardized when kids come to school with empty bellies.
Hungry families are at an increased risk for obesity. A complex web of government policies and subsidies yields low prices for high-calorie, nutritionally empty foods. A mom who is struggling financially will often purchase cheap calories, such as Kool Aid or a two-liter bottle of soda, to keep her stomach quiet while she feeds her children the little food left in the house.

Why food stamps?
Studies show that children living in households that receive food stamps are healthier, perform better in school, and are less likely to be abused and neglected. Improved access to good nutrition helps to ensure both the short and long-term health of families.
Food stamps provide monthly benefits to families to buy food. They are no longer stamps but an electronic swipe card like a debit or credit card. Benefits for the elderly and disabled may be deposited directly into bank accounts. Food stamps can be used to buy food, seeds and plant starts for a vegetable garden.
Food stamps bring economic benefits to Vermont. If the 200 income-eligible Charlotters apply and qualify, they could receive monthly benefits totaling $17,550. These dollars support local businesses and farmers. Some quick math tells us that this is more than $210,000 per year to Charlotte families. No small change. The 2008 Farm Bill, taking effect October 1, increases these monthly benefits.

What to do?
Go to vermontfoodhelp.com. Computers are available at the Charlotte Library. On this site you will find guidelines for eligibility and you can download an application. You will find phone numbers you can call for assistance as well as the location of food stamp offices and stores that accept food stamps. In some cases the required interview can be conducted by phone.
Don’t let our friends and neighbors be hungry unnecessarily. Talk to your neighbors, friends and parishioners. Offer to help with the application or to drive to the food stamp office for an interview. And of course, don’t forget to support the Charlotte Food Shelf.
— Elizabeth Bassett and Jim Morse

Note: Both are members of the board of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. Jim also serves as co-chair of the Chittenden County Hunger Council.