2005 Food Program Information for Our Member’s States There are several different food programs which provide free food, low cost food, and information about good nutrition to low-income families and individuals as well as seniors. There are also programs in your area to help you get the most bang for your buck, regardless of income level. With a large family to feed, it’s wise to take advantage of any money- saving opportunities out there! FOOD STAMPS What are food stamps? Food stamps are a type of government assistance to help low-income households buy food. Food stamps can be used to buy almost any food item in any supermarket where you usually shop for food. People who use food stamps can spend the money they save to help pay their other bills. Am I eligible? Food stamps are for U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens with limited incomes who buy food and make meals at home. People living in homeless shelters, group homes for the disabled, drug and alcohol treatment centers, and subsidized elderly housing are also eligible. Some people must work to qualify for food stamps, while others are exempt from the work requirement. What benefits will I get? The amount of food stamps you get depends on your household size, income, and expenses. You are expected to spend about 30% of your household income on food. In 2005, the average monthly food stamps benefit nationwide is about $92 per person or $210 per household. How do I apply? The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is in charge of the food stamp program in Massachusetts, but you may also apply at other food stamp outreach locations. Call Project Bread's toll-free FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 for other food stamp locations in your area. How do I use food stamps? The DTA will deposit your monthly food stamps benefits in an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) account. They will send you an EBT card to use at supermarket checkouts to pay for your food. Whenever you buy food with your card, your receipt will show the amount of money left in your account. Bay State CAP: Bay State CAP is a special food stamp application process for certain people who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Bay State CAP uses the same application as SSI and often provides more benefits than regular food stamps. For more information on Food Stamps, contact one of the following: In Maine: 1-800-452-4643 In Massachusetts: 1-866-950-3663 In New Hampshire: 1-800-852-3345 (Ext. 4238) In Rhode Island: 1-401-462-5300 FOOD PANTRIES What are food pantries? Food pantries are places where people in need can go to get free, wholesome, uncooked food to take home with them to prepare. Am I eligible? You do not need to apply for these programs, and food and meals are offered free of charge. Anyone in need is welcome at these programs, though some limit your visits or ask that you meet certain income guidelines. Call before you go. Where do I go for food pantries? Food pantries are available in almost every community. They have specific days and hours when they are open. Call before you go. In Massachusetts: The Project Bread FoodSource Hotline, 1-800-645-8333, has information on all the Massachusetts food pantries and free meals programs. Project Bread funds 400 local food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks and food salvage programs in 132 Massachusetts communities. Visit www.projectbread.org to see who is funded in your area. In New Hampshire: Visit the following for a complete list of food pantries located in NH: http://www.thewmurchannel.com/community/2643457/detail.html. In Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Community Food Bank provides quality food to people facing hunger through our network of certified member agencies. The Food Bank solicits and stores food products donated via food drives or by supermarkets, wholesalers, food processors, and local farmers, as well as perishable food items. Donated food is redistributed to the Food Bank's 435 member agency programs. Through these programs, the Food Bank feeds hungry and poor people throughout communities in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. For more info, call 401-942-MEAL (6325) or visit www.rifoodbank.org. In Maine: Brunswick Area Church Council Hunger Prevention Program, Inc. St. Paul's Episcopal Church 27 Pleasant Street - P.O. Box 632 Brunswick, ME 04011 207-725-1151 Food Bank/Raymond Raymond Village Community Church Raymond, ME 04071 207-655-7749 Food Pantry/South Portland First Congregational Church 301 Cottage Road, South Portland, ME 04106 207-799-3361 Food Pantry/Clothes Closet/Windham Windham, ME 04062 207-892-1931 Good Shepherd Food Bank 415 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, ME 04240 207-782-3554 Preble Street Resource Center Community Resource Center 252 Oxford Street, Portland, ME 04101 207-874-6560 Project Feed Woodford's Congregational Church 202 Woodford Street, Portland, ME 04103 Contact: Barbara Craig, 207-761-3920 Raker Center Food Pantry Raker Center Epping Road Columbia, ME 04623 (During blueberry season only) St. Vincent DePaul 10 Locust Street Portland, ME 04101 207-772-1113 Standish Connection 314 Northeast Road Standish, ME 04084 Contact: Floyd Smith 207-642-2075 State Street Church 159 State Street Portland, ME 04101 207-774-6396 Weald Bethel P.O. Box 228 Cherryfield, ME 04622 207-546-7424 WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC) What is WIC? The WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program gives nutrition information and counseling and free nutritious food to women and children who are at risk of developing medical or nutritional problems. Am I eligible? To be eligible for WIC, you must be a pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding woman or an infant or child under 5-years of age. You must meet the income limits and have a nutritional need, for example poor diet, problems during pregnancy (an HOM pregnancy automatically covers this requirement), or anemia. You must be a resident of the state in which you apply, but you do not have to be a U.S. citizen. What benefits are available? WIC benefits include counseling and referrals, as well as WIC-approved foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, tuna, iron-fortified cereal, peanut butter, infant formula, carrots, beans, and vitamin C-rich juices. How do I apply? To apply for WIC benefits, you should call your local WIC site to set up an appointment. Maine WIC Nutrition Program telephone: (207) 287-3991 toll-free in-state: 1-800-437-9300 website: www.WICforME.com Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program telephone: (617) 624-6100 toll-free in-state: 1-800-WIC-1007 or 1-800-942-1007 website: www.mass.gov/wic New Hampshire WIC Nutrition Program telephone: (603) 271-4546 toll-free in-state: 1-800-WIC-4321 or 1-800-942-4321 website: www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/WIC/default.htm Rhode Island WIC Nutrition Program telephone: (401) 222-3940 toll-free in-state: 1-800-942-7434 website: www.health.ri.gov/family/wic/index.php How do I use my benefits? You will be given a WIC check that you can use to buy food at the supermarket. You will be told which specific foods you are allowed to buy. SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAM What is the School Food Program? The School Food Program offers free and reduced price school meals and milk to children from low-income families who are enrolled in the public schools. Both the State and Federal government provide funding. The School Food Program includes School Breakfast, School Lunch, the Special Milk Program, and After-school Snacks. During summer vacation, free meals and snacks are available at parks throughout Massachusetts. Am I eligible? Your child is eligible for free or reduced price meals if you meet income limits. You do not have to be a citizen. If you receive TAFDC, food stamps, or other benefits from the Department of Transitional Assistance, your child qualifies for free school meals. How do I apply for the School Food Program? Massachusetts public schools distribute information and the application for the School Food Program. You should complete the application and return it to your child’s school. If you have questions or need an application, you should call your local public school department listed in the phone book. SERVE NEW ENGLAND What is Serve New England? Serve New England is a private non-profit organization that encourages people to volunteer in their communities. People who volunteer anywhere in their communities (which includes volunteering for TMM) for at least two hours a month can order low-cost food through the Serve New England Food Co-op. They have over 350 chapter sites located throughout the six New England states. Am I eligible? Everyone is welcome to participate in Serve New England. There are NO eligibility requirements for this program. You must give 2 hours of volunteer service for every food package you buy. What benefits are available? The Serve New England food co-op offers family food packages including meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals and grains, and specialty items, at a savings of 40% or more off the regular supermarket price. The food is high quality, fresh food. Meat-only packages and special holiday food packages are also available. How do I apply? There is no application. Anyone can sign up. Call Serve New England's toll-free number at 1-888-742-7363 or visit www.servenewengland.org.