FAMILY SERVICE

3927-3931 1st Ave. S. Billings, Montana

Family Service has a special heart for our low-income senior population in Yellowstone County.

IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO HELP WHEN TIMES ARE CHALLENGING!

This is the second in our series of articles on the programs and non-profit organizations who receive a portion of the Yellowstone County Senior Mill Levy Fund. Family Services of Yellowstone County receives funds from the levy in support of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program for seniors. This program serves 700 seniors, with a waiting list. For many of these seniors this program fills a critical gap and helps to reduce or eliminate food insecurity. The program is just a small part of what this amazing organization does for Yellowstone County and the surrounding area. The Adult Resource Alliance is proud to support their efforts in this vital work.

Family Service’s mission for the last 115 years has been to prevent hunger, homelessness and poverty in Yellowstone County and surrounding areas through community involvement. Our generous community and those who support Family Service and the Adult Resource Alliance really care about the elders in our community. They make these important senior services possible.

We believe that life is more successful when people live in relatively stable circumstances, having enough of the most vital essentials. One of our guiding ideas is that limited household resources can be stretched when times are tough if Family Service food programs are used. Vulnerable seniors can save hundreds of

dollars a month by using Family Service for food!

Several programs provide options to stretch monthly budgets. The first program, especially for seniors in Yellowstone County, is the Senior Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), a federal food program for older citizens. CSFP can be obtained once

a month and include approximately 30-35 pounds of shelf-stable food with great choices like:

• cereal: boxed cereal or oatmeal • protein options: canned meat products (chicken, tuna, beef, pork) or beans • canned fruit and vegetables—generally 4 - 6 cans total and/or dried fruit-raisins • starches: rice, noodles or pasta • beverages: milk or fruit juices • peanut butter • 2lb block of delicious American cheese

We hope the seniors receiving this excellent service are thrilled to receive these foods each month. The goal of CFSP is to promote better health among our older, low-income folks. Family Service is the only reporting agency for this service in Yellowstone County and coordinates with other nonprofits too.

TO QUALIFY FOR CSFP

• Participants must be at least 60 years old or older.

An ID is required. • Complete some easy paperwork to sign up and requalify each year. • Your signature (or your designated person) is required each time a CSFP food box is picked up. • Income level is for all adults in the household and must be reported. They cannot exceed the following: • $1,396/month for a household with one adult • $1,888/month with 2 adults • $2,379/month with 3 adults • Income calculations increase with more adults (over 18) in the household. This means if a grandparent is living with adult children; the adult children/ grandchildren identify their earnings to determine household income.

If you want more information on CSFP, please call Vicki at 406-384-0055.

The next amazing food opportunity for those in need is our food room boxes that can be accessed as often as every 7 days for fresh food boxes. These boxes provide

great fresh produce, dairy, eggs, frozen meat, and

shelf-stable items. When you come in to pick up a commodity box too, you may go through our Client Choice food room to make your own food selections. This further improves savings and food options for seniors in need. The food room is open Monday-Friday from 10am-3pm with Wednesdays, open to 6pm.

When you come in to use the client choice food room, please note that there is paperwork to complete and please bring your photo ID and a piece of mail showing Yellowstone County residency. Qualifications are few:

• Yellowstone County resident • personal challenging times resulting in financial need OR • income of less than 200% of federal guidelines— • 1 person household less than $34,776, • 2 person household less than $47,034

Another program serving seniors in challenging times is our one-time rent or utility assistance program. When faced with eviction or utility shut-off, clients may qualify for one-time help. Funds are very limited and used to help those who have unusual circumstances and know how they will pay for these expenses in coming months. Senior housing deposits may also be funded, after homelessness.

If you know anyone having financial struggles right now, make sure they know about our great programs here at Family Service. Our hours of service are from 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday, with the food room open from 10am-3pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with extended food room hours on Wednesday 10am -6pm. Come see us. It is an honor to be here to help.