LETTERS: PROGRAM TARGETS NUTRITION NEEDS OF FAMILIES, KIDS

To the editor:

In your Oct. 22 editorial, you expressed the need for education for families receiving food stamps. There is such a program in place. The Missouri Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture sponsor the program. The Healthy Children Nutrition Education Initiative is a grant program administered through the Community Caring Council and Southeast Missouri State University.

The mission of the program is to provide nutrition education to lower-income families with young children. Two hired coordinators began implementing the program in early 2000. Numerous learning opportunities have been provided. Many more programs are planned for 2001, including activities with Cape Girardeau schools.

This is a work in progress. We hope to make a lasting impact on the nutritional status of low-income families. It takes time and community involvement. We welcome all who would like to be involved in this effort.

FRAN HAUPT

DEBRA SCHUMER

Co-coordinators

Community Nutrition Education Consortium

Cape Girardeau