FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH REQUESTS RISING IN WV - Calhoun Ranks High In Providing Nutrition For Students, First Time Food Stamp Requests

(01/09/2010)

By Bob Weaver As West Virginia's economy worsens, school districts in West Virginia are expecting further spikes in parent applications for free or reduced lunches. The latest numbers are expected to be released within a few weeks. Requests for food stamps have risen in 2009 from Calhoun families that are seeking such help for the first time, according to the WV-DHHR. Calhoun ranks 43rd in the state's 55 counties with the highest number of students receiving free and reduced lunch, according to Kids Count statistics. A state report said just over 70% of Calhoun students receive the break, with McDowell at 83.2%, Webster at 73.2%, Clay at 72.6%, and Lincoln at 70.2%. Other regional counties: Braxton, 62.5%; Gilmer, 62.4%; Ritchie, 55.8%; Roane, 60.4%; Wirt, 54%. Statewide, 52.5 percent of children enrolled in school received free or low-cost lunches in 2007. In Wood County, the number of families applying for the program has increased by 6 percent, the sharpest growth in a decade. Officials from the Northern to the Eastern panhandles report similar increases. In 2006, West Virginia led the nation in free and reduced lunches. Richard Goff, the executive director for the WV Department of Education's Office of Child Nutrition, say "I would think the folks who don't know about the inner workings of this program would think this is a big negative. But for the individual child, this is a good thing." Officials said school food programs provides some of these children with the opportunity to have two meals a day they might not always receive. Kids Count says about one-third of Calhoun children are living below the poverty level. Those numbers have improved in recent years. Calhoun ranked 43rd worst out of the 55 counties in 11 core measurements related to the welfare of children. The only regional county ranking lower was Braxton. see related story   TIMES ARE GETTING HARD - Calhoun's Working Poor Asking For Food Stamps, Unemployed Against The Wall

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