Tuesday, October 27, 2009

October 2009 Version of the Food Stamp Prescreening Guide Now Available

The October 2009 version of "FOOD STAMPS IN NYS: An Eligibility Prescreening Guide" is now available.

This guide is designed for community based organizations, advocates and volunteers who are working with low-income households and want to:

  • determine if a household may potentially qualify for food stamp benefits,

  • help assist the household through the application process, and

  • determine an estimated food stamp benefit allotment.

To veiw or downloaded the guide from our website click here.

To order paper copies of the guide please contact Gail Cooney via e-mail at Gail.Cooney@nutritionconsortium.org or by calling 518-436-8757 x11. Please include the number of copies requested and the contact information for mailing.

Please be aware that we have a limited number of copies and will do our best to fill requests.

Monday, October 26, 2009

End Hunger 2015 Buttons

Show your support for President Barack Obama's goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015 with these three-inch buttons. These buttons were designed by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and are available in bundles of 50.

Price: $22.00
$5.00 additional charge for shipping
D.C. Residents add 5.75% sales tax.

For ordering information, click here.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

2009 Summer Food Sponsor Directory Now Available

The Nutrition Consortium of NYS' Summer Food Sponsor Directory is now available online.

All sponsors who operated open, closed-enrolled, and/or camp-sports program SFSP sites during summer 2009 are listed in this directory. Purposes of the directory are to support sponsors’ work by encouraging information sharing and collaboration amongst sponsors; as well as bring attention to their presence throughout their local communities.

To learn more about how to become a SFSP sponsor, how your organization can connect with your nearest sponsor to serve summer meals, and/or provide corrections to this directory, please contact Rachel Rupright @ (518) 463-8757 x21.

http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/childnutrition/documents/09SFSponsorDirectory.pdf

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

AARP Encourages Older Adults to Sign Up for Food Stamps

Millions of SNAP/Food Stamp dollars are going "untouched," as only 34 percent of eligible senior citizens have signed up for the program writes N. Joyce Payne, Ed.D. and a member of the AARP Board of Directors, in this op-ed.

Food assistance programs like SNAP/Food Stamps can improve the health of senior citizens with limited incomes, especially those living alone. Healthy people are more able to take care of their daily needs and "live independently." However, many older people have to make the choice between paying for groceries or medications.

"The most common reason people do not receive SNAP benefits is that they don't realize they may be eligible," notes Payne. A 2007 Census Bureau report found that an estimated 3.6 million seniors (aged 65 and over) live in poverty in the U.S.

But recent program enhancements mean that many more older New Yorkers (aged 60 and over) may be eligible for this monthly nutrition assistance.

Once a person’s application is approved, benefits automatically get loaded on a debit-style card which is accepted at most grocery stores; there are no hidden fees. The average monthly benefit for older Americans is $72 for individuals and $90 per household.

In addition to supporting healthier food options, SNAP also contributes economically to communities. The USDA says that every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates nearly twice as much ($9.20) in total community spending. "In these tough economic times, AARP remains staunchly committed to connecting those in need with information and access to programs, which offer real relief and assistance in navigating their basic life needs," concludes Payne. "We encourage all older Americans and those who care for them to learn more about Food Stamps/SNAP and apply if they're eligible."

And though SNAP is the federal name for the program, state programs may use SNAP or another program name to refer to this food assistance benefit. New York continues to use the "Food Stamp Program" name. Older New Yorkers can find more information and help with applying for food stamps in their county or receive information about other public benefits via AARP’s Benefits QuickLINK Web site at www.aarp.org/snap.