The Perry Kiwanis was visited Tuesday by Beth Frailey, MPH, community health coordinator with the Dallas County Hospital, and Erin Drinnin, community impact health officer with United Way of Central Iowa.
Frailey and Drinnin are part of the Hunger Free Dallas County group. They are working together to find out what the populace knows about hunger in Dallas County and how the hunger needs of county residents can be met.
Frailey is relatively new to her position. She recently completed her masters degree in Arizona and moved to Iowa to start her position with the Dallas County Hospital. She was not the primary speaker for this presentation but took notes on responses from the audience.
Drinnin works with Polk and Warren counties as well as Dallas County. Her purpose with United Way of Central Iowa is to assist those in poverty situations in dealing with education, health and investments.
Drinnin said Dallas County has the highest average income in the state but yet is very diverse with significant pockets of poverty. The eastern part of the county is growing in population and has a high average income. She stressed that the western part of the county is very rural and sees a lower average income.
Drinnin stated that 8 percent of the residents of Dallas County face hunger.
During the program Drinnin asked Kiwanis members several questions. Is anyone aware of anyone in the community who faces hunger? she asked the Kiwanians. The members were not aware of any hungry people in Dallas County.
Drinnin asked how one knows whether a person routinely faces hunger. A general consensus among memnbers was that it is hard to spot the hungry because people do not always look to be hungry. We think in cliches and often imagine the hungry in other countries as they appear in pictures in the popular media.
Drinnin asked how education affects income. The consensus was that a higher educational attainment usually generates a higher income level for a household. It was also said some families in poverty have faced this trend for many generations, and people have a hard time breaking out of this cycle. They may not know any other way or have any encouragement to seek higher education.
Drinnin next turned to the question of healthy food choices. Why don’t we eat better? she asked. Some of those answering said it is more convenient to get fast food, and in many cases it is cheaper than other alternatives. Cooking healthy food takes time and can cost a lot more money.
Drinnin then asked for ideas to make the community aware of the hungry and also how those facing this problem could be assisted to break this cycle. Many ideas were shared on this very tough topic. It was agreed that more publicity about the hungry in the community would lead community members to help with this problem.
Welcoming Frailey and Drinnin was Matt May, who recently joined the club.
