STEP Office of Aging to Distribute Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers
LOCK HAVEN – The STEP Office of Aging will soon be distributing fruit and vegetable vouchers to eligible senior citizens in Lycoming and Clinton counties. The popular annual program provides a $20 voucher that can be used to purchase fresh, Pennsylvania-grown fruits and vegetables from participating local farmers’ markets.
The vouchers will be given out at STEP Office of Aging senior centers, beginning June 4. To qualify, individuals must be aged 60 and older, live in Lycoming or Clinton County, and have a total monthly income of less than $1,814 for one person or $2,455 for two people, or an annual income of $21,775 for an individual and $29,471 for two people. Proof of age and residence is required.
Vouchers will be distributed—while supplies last—according to the following schedule:
• Thursday, June 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the STEP Office of Aging Messiah Senior Center in South Williamsport.
• Friday, June 5, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the STEP Office of Aging Clinton County Community Center in Lock Haven.
• Wednesday, June 10, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the STEP Office of Aging Jersey Shore Senior Center in Jersey Shore.
• Thursday, June 11, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the STEP Office of Aging Renovo Senior Center in South Renovo.
• Friday, June 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the STEP Office of Aging Meck Senior Center in Muncy.
Office of Aging program director Fred Shrimp emphasizes that STEP receives a limited number of vouchers, so the distributions slated for June 10, 11 and 12 will be held only if vouchers are still available. He encourages people to contact the Jersey Shore (570-601-9591), Renovo (570-923-2525), and Meck (570-546-2542) Senior Centers ahead of time to check on availability following the first two voucher distributions in South Williamsport and Lock Haven.
“Annually, STEP receives about 1,700 vouchers from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to distribute to qualified local seniors,” said Shrimp. “It’s a program we are glad to be able to offer since it positively impacts so many people.”
Shrimp says if people are unable to personally come to a distribution, they can use a proxy form to have someone else pick up a voucher for them. Proxy forms must be completed ahead of time and are available through any of STEP’s eight senior centers and the Office of Aging main office at 2138 Lincoln Street in Williamsport.
Office of Aging Health, Nutrition, and Fitness Coordinator Jane Thompson says the voucher program is a win-win for everyone involved.
“The veggie vouchers help support our local agriculture community, and they also provide healthy and nutritious, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables for area seniors.”
Thompson says STEP will offer several other nutrition education activities during the voucher distributions, including healthy foods taste testing and a healthy recipe distribution, as well as Medicare insurance counseling. STEP representatives also will be available to talk with people about volunteer opportunities with STEP, such as delivering Meals on Wheels.
Part of STEP’s Independent Living Pathway to Success, the Office of Aging is the local Area Agency on Aging in Lycoming and Clinton counties. Through its eight senior community centers and two social services offices, the Office of Aging provides a wide range of programs and services designed to advance the well-being of older adults and enable seniors to remain in their own homes and apartments and lead independent lifestyles. For more information on Office of Aging programs and services, contact any STEP senior center or the STEP Office of Aging office in Lycoming County at 570-323-3096, in Clinton County at 570-858-5800, or visit www.stepcorp.org.
