Oklahoma News Report

The number of babies needing crisis intervention in the state has taken a dramatic upswing. In 2009, Infant Crisis Services in Oklahoma City served more than 11,900 babies in need of emergency supplies of food, formula and diapers. that’s a 12 percent increase over the previous year.

The nonprofit organization blames the state’s higher than average poverty rate and expects the trend to continue this year.

According to Oklahoma’s Hunger Task Force, 28 percent of Oklahoma children under age five live in poverty. Children living in poverty are at a moderate to high risk for lack of food and basic necessities.

Infant Crisis Services Executive Director Miki Farris says, “Last year, the cost of a highly-used brand of baby formula increased by nearly 23 percent. That means for a family of four living in poverty with two babies, they might be spending roughly 10 percent of their annual income on diapers and formula.”

The organization is also working to expand its base of donors and volunteers to help cope with the increase in demand.

The story originally aired Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010.