Food voucher programs and the effect on children Sarah Stahl FN 4350

Purpose The purpose of my project was to research a nonprofit organization that gives families in need food vouchers and to find out how nutritious they are for children.

introduction

My Focus My focus was to look at a food voucher program and how it effects children Look at how the program is paid for If the options of the program are nutritious Investigate how families qualify Investigate if there is any nutritional education provided

Methods I conducted a survey that consisted of 8 subjects All of the subjects were workers at Hancock Christian Clearing House (the nonprofit organization) The survey consisted of 10 open ended questions Personally interviewed two of the subjects to gather more information

Survey How does the food voucher program work? How are the food vouchers paid for? What can the food vouchers be used for? Is there any nutritional information provided to the families? How do families qualify for the food voucher program? How do you think families with children benefit from the food voucher program? How do you as a worker feel about the program How do you as a worker think the families feel about the program? Do you think the food voucher program is a healthy choice for children? Do you think the food voucher program benefits children? How?

Results The way it works: Paid for by: Vouchers are used for: Client comes into the office and is evaluated They are given a voucher for Great Scott (only groceries) Up to $25 Paid for by: Donations Fundraisers (garage sale, spaghetti and pancake dinners, golf outing) Churches Vouchers are used for: Nutritional, healthy foods Fruits, vegetables, meats, bread, eggs, cereal etc No “junk” food, pop, alcohol, cigarettes

Results Families qualify by: Question and answer interview done by worker based on income and financial situation May be helped twice in a 6 month period Must be a Hancock County resident Household Size Yearly Income Monthly Income Weekly Income 1 $22,339 $1,861 $429 2 $30,259 $2,521 $581 3 $38,179 $3,181 $734 4 $46,099 $3,841 $886 5 $54,019 $4,501 $1,038 6 $61,939 $5,161 $1,191 For each person added $7,920 $660 $152

Nutritional Background OSU extension comes every Monday and Wednesday They prepare a cheap nutritional recipe for the clients They give clients nutritional background information (different topic each time) Clients love it! Also they bring food from the West Ohio Food bank They must listen to her and watch presentation in order to get food Once a week they get: 2 cans fruit, 2 cans vegetables, 1 can soup, 1 box cereal, 1 box pasta noodles, 1 can pasta sauce, 1 can fruit juice, 1 jar peanut butter, and 1 dozen of eggs

How it helps children Children are not going hungry The guidelines make sure the parents are making healthy choices for children Since OSU extension, children are getting healthier meals Food donated is mainly nutritious food Drawbacks: Some parents do not know how to cook so they are still giving their children processed frozen meals $25 is not a lot for a family but they are trying to increase the amount

Limitations Limited to 10 questions Only 8 subjects Only workers, no clients were willing to take my survey Only one organization, organization is only offered in Findlay, OH

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