Additional food boxes available for senior citizens
The Fayette County Community Action Agency Inc. food bank is announcing open registration dates and times for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) food boxes, available for people age 60 and older.
The program provides those ages 60 and older with an additional box of nutritious food to remain healthy. The program provides a variety of four canned vegetables, canned fruits, two bottles of 100-percent juice, two boxes of cereal, a protein, a canned meat and a 2-pound block of cheese.
“The CSFP food box is in addition to the pantry food box. People can receive the monthly food box, the CSFP box and apply for farmers market vouchers as long as they meet the eligibility guidelines,” said Jamie Brink, food bank project manager. “This is a good way for seniors to receive nutritional food and help stretch their food dollars for the month.”
The dates and times include:
n 8-9 a.m. Saturday, Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Morgantown Road, Uniontown.
n noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Point Marion United Methodist Church, 502 Morgantown St., Point Marion.
n 9-10 to 10 a.m. Friday, May 17, Christian Missionary Alliance Church, Washington Township.
n 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, May 20, Connellsville Senior Center, 100 E. Fayette St., Connellsville.
n Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, Hopwood Free Methodist Church, Hopwood.
n 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 22, YWBA, Thompson Crossroads, Uniontown.
n 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, Masontown Senior Center, 22 S. Main St., Masontown.
In observance of Memorial Day, the food bank will hold its CSFP registration from 1:30-3 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 71 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown.
Because of recent budget cuts, the CSFP will be reduced by 11 boxes this year. Registration is limited to 925 boxes.
“If you wish to continue to receive the CSFP food box, you must register again,” said Brink. “Regardless of how long a recipient has been with the program, the FCCAA food bank cannot and does not ‘hold slots’ for people or guarantee that past recipients will continue to receive the box.”
Brink said program regulations require that gross household income be considered.
“This means that you must have proof of all income that is earned in your household — even if you are not the one who earns it,” she said. “It also means that we must consider your income before any deductions, such as those for taxes, health or life insurance (including Medicare/Medicaid deductions), child support, etc.”
Applicants must also bring something to verify their date of birth. All information must be available to process the application.
This year’s CSFP income guidelines, which are 130 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, are as follows: household of one person, $1,245 monthly; household of two people, $1,681 monthly; household of three people, $2,116 monthly; household of four people, $2,552 monthly; household of five people, $2,987 monthly; household of six people, $3,432 monthly; household of seven people, $3,858 monthly; for any household of more than eight people, it is an additional $436 per person.
If a person is absent the day of registration, or, does not bring the correct information, they will be placed on a waiting list.
For more information, call Brink at 724-437-6050, extension 1264.