Grain bins were damaged by the derecho storm on Aug. 10, 2020. (Screen shot from Iowa PBS livestream)
The Iowa Department of Public Health has announced additional assistance for families affected by the Aug. 10 derecho.
The assistance targets Iowans who receive assistance through the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program. That is a supplemental nutrition program for babies, children under the age of 5, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and women who had a baby in the last six months.
“We understand families may be concerned about food lost during power outages,” said Jill Lange, IDPH chief of the bureau of nutrition and physical activity. “This assistance will help replace food supplies that were damaged.”
WIC families currently receiving benefits and living in Benton, Boone, Cedar, Clinton, Dallas, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story and Tama Counties can ask for assistance to replace WIC foods.
WIC foods purchased between the dates of Aug. 1 and Aug. 10 and destroyed or spoiled as the result of storm damage or power outage may be replaced. Any WIC foods purchased after Aug. 10 are not eligible for replacement. WIC families must contact their local WIC agency no later than Aug. 31 to be considered for food-replacement assistance.
Also, Iowans who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for WIC assistance.
Visit the IDPH website for more information on WIC and to find local offices.
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