Women to the rescue Play Video

Posted: Nov 5, 2009 6:53 AM
Updated: Nov 5, 2009 8:24 AM

FEDERAL PROGRAMS: The U.S. welfare system was initiated in the 1930s during the Great Depression.  For 61 years, the federal government controlled the system, but in the 1990s, welfare became a widely discussed topic.  In 1996, a bill law was passed that gave individual states control over welfare. 

The Federal Food Stamp Program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), assists 34 million people in getting food every month.  The reformed program is focused on putting nutritious and healthy food on the table of low- income households.  Foods that can be purchased using SNAP include breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry and dairy products.  Seeds and plants that grow household foods to eat can also be purchased.  SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco, nonfood items likes like pet foods, soap, paper products, vitamins, medicines, foods to be eaten in the store, and hot foods.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), also provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.

FALLING SHORT: According to the Diaper Bank, the Food Stamp Program and WIC do not cover the cost of diapers, which can cost a mother more than $100 a month.  Most day care centers will not accept cloth diapers and require parents to bring an adequate supply of disposable diapers. Sometimes babies from poor and low-income families will spend a day or more in one diaper, which poses health threats and abuse risks.

The Diaper Bank raises money for and distributes diapers through local food pantries, soup kitchens, daycare centers, social service agencies and shelters.  It includes a network of 50 agencies.  The organization provides more than 200,000 free diapers every month to families in the New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford areas of Connecticut.

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