New food program available for area seniors 26 February 2010

Avanelle Oberlin, Anne Daniel, and Rose Arth of the Community & Seasoned Citizens with a box from the CASC Senior Food Distribution Program. Volunteers load up vans for delivery of the food boxes to homebound residents. Volunteers load up vans for delivery of the food boxes to homebound residents. More than 100 boxes of food were distributed to area seniors today, launching a new program to help income-eligible residents over the age of 60. Community & Seasoned Citizens and Union County Senior Services are partnering with the Mid-Ohio Food Bank to provide free food for Union County seniors. Those over 60 with gross income of less than $1,174 per month ($1,579 for a household of two) can receive a 35-pound box of food on the 4th Friday of every month. Boxes include cereal, juice, canned meat or fish, peanut butter, beans, canned fruit and vegetables, rice or potatoes, and cheese. Food is delivered to the American Legion Hall in Marysville (500 Park Avenue) for pick-up. Arrangements can even be made for shut-ins to have the food delivered to their home. "We're excited to be able to offer this program," said Avanelle Oberlin, President of the Community & Seasoned Citizens. "The timing of the distribution, near the end of every month, will help many seniors until their social security payment comes the following week." To sign up, call Community & Seasoned Citizens at 937-644-9801 or Union County Senior Services at 937-644-9629.