Budget cuts reduce aid to those in need

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - The government sequester is hitting home in Williamson County as Meals on Wheels and Head Start are trying to find ways to making ends meet.

That is part of the reason Francis Bradley and his wife Jane have been volunteering with Meals on Wheels in Williamson County.

"These folks really need help," said Francis Bradley, as he headed out for his delivery route in Georgetown.

"It's been very difficult, because we've had to say no to some people, or we've had to ask they to wait," said Paula Goodson, director of nutrition at WBC Opportunities. "Some of those people, I don't know if they're going to be able to wait."

WBC serves about 160,000 meals a year between Williamson and Burnet County, but that will change.

"(The cuts) would mean about 27,000 fewer meals for Williamson Burnet Counties," Goodson said, "and if the sequester goes up any more, it could go up to actually 44,000 meals."

The head start program has also taken a big hit. Around $357,000 has already been slashed from their budget.

Scott Ferguson says that translates to shortening head start for some families.

"For this year, we're talking about reducing three weeks," Ferguson said, "and reducing our training for our teachers."

There's no way of knowing if these dollars will come back, and all these organizations can do is work with what is certain, and that means having to do more with less.