Countywide : Agency Seeks Cans of Baby Formula

The Orange County Rescue Mission has started a drive to collect baby formula for needy infants who are no longer eligible to receive nutritional assistance through a county administered food program.

Mission spokesman Jim Palmer said his agency is seeking nearly 3,000 cans of baby formula to help children turned away from the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Food Program, which last week was forced to reduce services because of a funding shortfall.

Thousands of low-income children and infants, including those at medical risk and those requiring special nutrition assistance, are no longer eligible for the federally funded program.

Directors of the program estimate that each day at least three infants who need special food assistance will be turned away.

“We are trying to collect at least 2,700 cans of formula to take care of 90 families over the next 30 days,” said Palmer. “We feel this is a good way to try and get the private sector involved in helping.”

Those wishing to donate cans of baby formula or make a cash contribution for the purchase of formula may write the Rescue Mission at 1901 W. Walnut St., Santa Ana 92703, or call (714) 835-0499.