Article published Jul 3, 2007
Earlimart families protest
Women, Infants and Children nutrition program may close
By Eduardo Stanley
Staff writer

EARLIMART — Dozens of mothers packed a June meeting of the Earlimart School District board of directors. Their objective: Pressure the board into keeping the Women, Infants and Children program in town.

The program, which provides food coupons and other nutrition-related services to low-income residents, serves 1,900 of Earlimart's 7,000 residents. But its future in Earlimart became clouded when the school district, which rents space to the agency at 782 East Washington Ave., announced that the agreement would come to an end Oct. 1.

So recipients spoke up.

"I am representing a number of families who could not be here today," parent Maria Chavez said. "We want WIC to stay here, because we need the help they give us."

Parent Irma Rodriguez said many residents wouldn't be able to follow WIC to another community. "Here, people can even go on foot," she said. "Not everyone has a car or can drive."

Following the comments, the board agreed to give WIC a rent-free four-month extension "in exchange for WIC not leaving Earlimart." The extension is still being negotiated.

"This gives us a bit of time," said Peggy Redfern, a WIC representative. "I think they felt the pressure from the people, and they wanted to maintain a balance with the community."

The agency's long-term future in Earlimart remains in doubt, however.

WIC distributes $100,000 worth of food coupons in Earlimart each

month, and WIC coupons represent 20 percent of many families' income, officials said. The community is largely Hispanic.

"Many people didn't want to come [at first] because of their fears of immigration," Rodriguez said.

Many cannot receive unemployment assistance because of a lack of legal documentation, she said. That's why WIC is vital, she said.

For Esmeralda Verduzco, WIC isn't just about groceries.

"They train us about nutrition," she said. "The staff is very courteous, and they treat us well."

School district officials had asked program representatives to vacate the building by October.

Finding a new Earlimart location might not be easy, said Susan Elizabeth, a specialist on obesity issues.

"There aren't any adequate buildings in town, nor is there any money for construction," she said.

WIC representative Karina Perez said the school board's interest in WIC goes beyond its status as landlord.

"You have a great responsibility because you worry about education," she told the board at the June 19 meeting, "and our teachers cannot teach children who are malnourished."

The reporter can be reached at estanley@visalia.gannett.com.

http://www.tulareadvanceregister.com/ap ... 30304/1002