Groups receive training about food stamps
by JOEL GALLOB - Ravalli Republic
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Nearly 20 local organizations from around Ravalli County recently received training in how to assist people who might qualify for food stamps to apply for them, reported Montana Food Bank Network Public Policy Manager Jan Armstrong.
Armstrong facilitated the training July 21, and Ravalli County Office of Public Assistance Director Patty West, and Christie Twardoski of her office presented the training on how to help people correctly fill out the application.
The people who attended the training came from a wide variety of organizations in the county. Attendees came from Summit Independent Living Center; WIC (the Women, Infants and Children program); Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and the hospital’s hospice; Head Start; Youth Connections; Sustainable Living Systems; MSU Extension; the Salvation Army; RSVP (the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program); Ravalli Council on Aging; Faith Lutheran Emergency Services; Bitterroot Literacy; Pantry Partners; and Valley Farmers’ Market Electronic Benefits Transfer Outreach.
Food stamps are America’s first line of defense against hunger, noted Kathryn Bradford, Director of Public Policy for the Montana Food Bank Network, There are enough benefits for everyone who qualifies for them, she noted. Eighty percent of food stamp benefits go to households with children, and most of the remaining recipients live in a household with an elderly or disabled family member. More than half of food stamp recipients live in households where at least one family member is employed.
The purpose of the training was to expand the number and location of people and organizations around the valley who can help food stamp applicants complete the forms involved, and to help connect the county Office of Public Assistance with local human service providers who may see people who could benefit from food stamps.
The application can cover one, two or all three of the following programs: food stamps, Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
The food stamp program is now called SNAP, for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Another, more significant change has come with the name change. The value of the food stamps will grow with inflation.
Another effort to bring information about and/or access to food stamps was performed by Kitty Tilton of the Darby Silver Tops. She has placed information on food stamps at the Darby Library, post office and other locations,
The training was a result of a grant that the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the Montana Food Bank Network in partnership with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
Reporter Joel Gallob can be reached at 363-3300 or jgallob@ravallirepublic.com
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