ADEL — Hunger and poor nutrition can hurt the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly people. To address this issue, Mary Krisco, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Human Sciences Specialist in nutrition and health, is looking to recruit volunteers from Dallas County to become volunteer educators in the WIN Program.
WIN (Wellness and Independence through Nutrition) is an outreach project to reduce hunger in the lives of underserved mid-life and older Iowans with limited incomes, Crisco said. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 35 percent of Iowans are age 50 or older and of those, 78 percent are considered “at-risk” or “at possible risk” for malnutrition, and 7 percent are considered “food insecure” or lacking access to affordable nutrition, Crisco said.
“Nationally, it is estimated three out of every 10 people eligible for food assistance are not yet enrolled,” Krisco said. “Through WIN, ISU Extension and Outreach’s goal is to increase food assistance awareness, enrollment and usage. Increasing awareness of budget-friendly nutrition practices is also an essential part of the program.
WIN volunteer educators will learn to conduct interactive presentations about healthy eating and container gardening to Iowans age 50 years or older, she said. WIN volunteer will attend a 90-minute training session at the Dallas County Extension office in Adel, where they will be taught to conduct the presentations and contact congregate meal sites, senior centers and other organizations to schedule these presentations.
Crisco said the time commitment of each WIN volunteer educator will vary. Presentations are 30 minutes each, with about one hour of travel time, preparation and paperwork. For someone who decides to conduct two presentations a month, the estimated volunteer time is three to four hours, she said. All volunteers will receive 39 cents per mile as a travel expense.
To arrange for a WIN training session or for more information, contact Mary Krisco at 515-957-5787 or mkrisco@iastate.edu.
If you are already volunteering in a similar outreach program, contact Krisco if you are interested in sharing WIN materials or showcasing a WIN display board at an upcoming hunger outreach event.
