Living with a low income and on a low budget can be stressful. It can also make it hard to eat healthy, but access to healthy food is a basic human right. Your budget should not stop you from taking care of your health and the health of your loved ones. Below is a list of organizations that can help you gain access to the food you need.
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Food Pantries
Food pantries are a great resource for those with little money. They can help fill in the gaps on days when you don’t have enough to feed yourself or your family. They can also help give you access to healthier foods. Food pantries often have fresh fruits and vegetables as well as healthy whole grains and beans.
FoodPantries.Org
This website has information about food pantries in the United States. Simply click on your state then enter your address on the next page. This will give you a list of all the food pantries near you. It will also tell you when each pantry is open, the pantry’s phone number, and what information you need to give to pantry workers in order to gain access to their services.
Food Finder
Food Finder is another website that can help you find food pantries in your area. It displays a map of food pantries that are nearby. It also provides you with the pantry’s address, hours of service, and phone number in case you want to learn more information about the pantry.
211 Essential Need
If you are not too comfortable with using the web, you can use any home or mobile phone to call 211 to obtain info about different services including food pantries, meal delivery services, food programs, financial help, healthcare aid, and housing help. All you need to do is simply dial 3 numbers. With 211 phone calls your name can be kept private and translation services are also available.
Call 211 from any phone.
Food Assistance Programs
The government has several programs to help those with low income get the food they need to feed themselves and their families. Below is a list of the programs available.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The SNAP program is a federal program that provides money for people with low income to buy food. If your application is accepted you will receive a benefits card that is preloaded with money that can be spent at grocery stores and other places that sell food. For more information on SNAP and how to apply visit the USDA SNAP website by clicking here.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a federal program that helps caretakers (mothers, fathers, grandparents or other caretakers) get enough food to feed their kids until they start school. Once kids go to school, kids can get free or low-cost breakfast and lunch at school through the school breakfast and lunch program. Through WIC, caregivers not only receive food, but also nutrition education and breastfeeding help. For more information on WIC and how to apply visit the USDA WIC website by clicking here.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The CSFP aims to improve the health of people over 60 years old by giving them boxes of healthy food. Each box contains specific foods that provide important nutrients that are often missing from the diets of seniors For more information on CSFP and how to apply click here. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Indian Tribal Organizations participate in CSDP.
Senior Farmers Markets
Senior Farmers Markets provide low income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. Individuals receive coupons that can be exchanged for produce at farmers markets. Click here for a map of which states offer the senior farmers market program and visit the USDA Senior Farmers Website here for more information and to apply.
In order to be eligible for the senior programs you must be
- 60 years old or older
- Have an income at or below 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines
- Live in an area that offers either program
Takeaways
Living on a small budget is not easy. Luckily there are ways to get access to healthy food for free or at a low cost. While food assistance programs require an application, food pantries are often more easily accessible and can help provide easier and quicker access to food when needed. Using food pantries and food assistance programs is a great way to make sure that you have food that will help improve your health and the health of your family.