Area Seniors May Qualify For Monthly Free Food Program

Applications are now being accepted for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program with immediate openings now available.

Senior adults, age 60 or older, who are having trouble making ends meet may qualify for a monthly box of free food.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a monthly food program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that works to improve the health of low-income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods.

In Craig, Delaware, Mayes and Ottawa counties, distribution of the CSFP monthly food packages is coordinated by Grand Nation, along with New Life Foursquare Church, South Grand Lake Christian Church and White Oak Baptist Church.

Each month, these organizations distribute a nutritionally designed food package to low-income individuals to supplement their diet and help them stretch their food dollars.

Although the CSFP food packages do not provide a complete diet, they are good sources of the nutrients typically lacking in the diets of the beneficiary population.

The monthly food packages include canned items (fruit, vegetables, meat or fish), bottled juice, shelf stable and instant dry milk, cheese, pasta or rice, dry beans or peanut butter and cereal.

These nutrient-rich foods help prevent the occurrence of health problems and improve the health status of individuals who may be at a critical level of nutritional risk due to low-income and poor diet.

With immediate openings now available for the CSFP monthly food distribution, Grand Nation is currently accepting applications at its 123 S. Wilson office in Vinita or by phone at (918) 276-2192 or (918) 609-0236.

Qualified seniors may also sign up at the CSFP distribution location closest to them on the following dates and times:

• May 10, Delaware County: Second Monday of each month, Grove First Assembly of God, at 9 a.m., and at the Walmart parking lot in Jay at 10:30 a.m.
• May 10, Mayes County: Second Monday of each month, South Grand Lake Christian Church (Ketchum/Langley area), at noon.
• May 11, Ottawa County: Second Tuesday of each month, Afton Housing Authority in Afton, at 9:30 a.m., and at the First Christian Church in Miami at 10 a.m.
• May 12, Craig County: Second Wednesday of each month, North Park swimming pool parking lot in Vinita at 10 a.m., and at the White Oak Baptist Church at 3 p.m.

To qualify for the program, individuals must be age 60 or older, meet low-income guidelines and live in Craig, Delaware, Mayes or Ottawa counties. A photo ID is required to sign up.

The 2021 income eligibility guidelines, which are the same as those for SNAP, are $1,396 monthly for a single person household; $1,888 monthly for a household size of two, and $2,379 monthly for a three-person household. For information on income guidelines for households of four or more, contact Grand Nation.

Participants must have transportation to come to the designation location every month to pick up their food boxes.

“There are openings right now. Once these are filled, applicants will be put on a short waitlist,” said Shannon Baker, Grand Nation assistant coordinator TSET Healthy Living Program

To apply or for more information about the program or qualifications, call Grand Nation at (918) 276-2192, or call (918) 609-0236 and leave a message.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or 

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

ABOUT GRAND NATION

Grand Nation is a nonprofit grassroots coalition that has been serving the Grand Lake area since 2012. An umbrella organization for a number of different programs, Grand Nation joins families seeking a better life with the resources and community organizations that can help them achieve their goal. Located at 123 S. Wilson, in Vinita, Grand Nation serves the communities of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, including Vinita, Grove, Jay, Afton, Ketchum, Langley, Miami, Bluejacket and Spavinaw. The phone number is (918) 276-2192.

MEDIA CONTACT

Jennifer Hinson

Executive Director, Grand Nation

www.GrandNation.org

jennifer-hinson@grandnation.org

(918) 276-2192 office

(918) 256-2193 fax

(918) 915-0236 cell

 

###