Politics in Wisconsin have made international news over the past few months. The financial battle over budget cuts has had far-reaching consequences affecting each of our citizens. Unfortunately, deep budget cuts to the education system have affected public workers in more ways than one.

The Child and Family Center at Madison Area Technical College is a city-accredited, on-site Early Childhood Education Center that offers early care and education to children between the ages of 2-5 during the academic school year.

This year, the center experienced an unprecedented budget cut of $100,000. Especially hard hit is the food program, which provides children with nutritious lunches and snacks.

Last year, the budget for the food program was $60,000. This year, it has been cut by about 80 percent, leaving the organization with only $10,000 to provide healthy food for the children enrolled.

This drastic cut has left the management reeling, looking for creative alternatives. An effort to collect donations has been made, and the Child and Family Center is hoping to avoid raising fees while filling the gap in their budget with community support.

Laurie Benda, an English instructor at Madison College, has personally experienced the cuts, and has felt a “noticeable difference” in her budget for food.

“I wouldn’t say that my budget is significantly different, but it has been noticeable,” Benda said.

Benda does feel, though, that her time management had been drastically affected. Shopping is more complicated, and her morning routine has become more hectic.

“It was always wonderful to know that the children were getting a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and I wasn’t worrying about buying small quantities of fresh produce,” Benda said. “I know that parents with kids in K-12 prepare lunches every day, but preparing lunches, getting ready, and fitting in breakfast, too…it’s a challenge.”

Benda, though, was accepting of the cuts.

“I was very understanding when I found out about the food program cuts. It was clear that by cutting certain aspects of the program, more detrimental cuts could be avoided, and we could keep the Child and Family Center running. I felt understanding, but it was disappointing.”

Cigdem Unal has been the director of the Child and Family Center for nearly three years. The management of the Child and Family Center has shared concerns over the program’s ability to provide for the children.

“Our Child and Family Center is currently the only child care facility available specifically for students of Madison College,” Unal said. “Ninety percent of the parents that use the child center service are students at the college. Many don’t have another alternative for child care. Every day they juggle work, school and family. The budget cuts require them to get up even earlier than usual. Now they have to shop for and prepare lunches for their children, too.”

The Child and Family Center has a guideline of nutrition that the parents are held to, and parents have had to re-think their shopping routines.

“This is not only a financial burden, but also a serious burden on their time,” Unal said.

Combining the smaller budget with future donations, the center is planning to potentially provide morning and afternoon snacks.

The Child and Family Center needs daily snacks for 21 children. If you would like to donate – either financially or with healthy, pre-packaged food such as whole-grain crackers, pretzels or dried fruit – please contact the Child and Family Center at (608) 246-6766 or drop off your donations at the Truax campus office at 3550 Anderson St., Room 160A.