Hunger-Free Pennsylvania
Jul 24
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SENIOR FOOD BOX PROG
OUR WORK
More than 300,000 Pennsylvania seniors are eligible for the Pennsylvania Senior Food Box Program, but only about 35,000 are enrolled to receive it this year. Seniors often face barriers to access for food assistance programs such as mobility, technology, and stigma. This food box program aims to overcome those barriers by being available for drop off or drive through in addition to pick up and, now, by reducing stigma and red tape with the removal of income verification requirements.
THE LATEST PROJECT DASH NEWS
PA SENIOR FOOD BOX PROGRAM (FORMERLY CSFP)
Hunger-Free Pennsylvania is the single largest provider of meals to older Pennsylvanians through the Pa. Senior Food Box Program. The program is administered on behalf of the Department of Agriculture by Hunger-Free Pennsylvania through our network of 18 food banks serving all 67 counties.
Once signed up, eligible seniors can choose to receive their monthly box via pick up, drive-through, or delivery from a program partner including senior apartment complexes, senior community centers, and food pantries.
The Senior Food Box Program works to improve the health of low-income seniors by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. In Pennsylvania, eligible participants include low-income individuals who are at least 60 years old and whose household income is at or below 130 percent of the U.S. poverty level.
The senior food boxes do not provide a complete diet, but rather are good sources of the nutrients typically lacking in the diets of older Americans. Among the types of foods included in the food boxes are: non-fat dry and shelf-stable fluid milk, juice, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, dry beans, peanut butter, canned meat, poultry, or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables.
The Senior Food Box Program is supported through USDA's Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The USDA purchases the food and makes it available to the Department of Agriculture, which works with local non-profit agencies to facilitate distribution of the monthly food boxes to eligible participants.
Still, more than 369,221 Pennsylvania seniors are eligible for Senior Food Box benefits. Use this tool to apply for the PA Senior Food Box.
** As of April 1, 2021 the Pa. Senior Food Box Program (formerly the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, aka CSFP) no longer requires proof of income in Pennsylvania. Qualifying seniors include low-income individuals who are at least 60 years old and whose household income is at or below 130 percent of the U.S. poverty level.
We are an equal opportunity provider:
ABOUT PROJECT DASH
The Project DASH initiative is designed to remove barriers and increase enrollment in the underutilized Pennsylvania Senior Food Box Program, which provides life-sustaining meal deliveries and nutrition services to eligible older Pennsylvanians.
Hunger-Free PA and Feeding Pennsylvania have partnered with DoorDash to increase awareness about enrollment and eligibility. More than 300,000 Pennsylvania seniors are eligible. Hear from some Project DASHers in this video!
PHAC
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Hunger-Free Pennsylvania spearheads the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Coalition, a group which comprises anti-hunger, religious, anti-poverty, economic and other nonprofit groups working not only to fight hunger but also to address the underlying policy issues that perpetuate food insecurity. Among its work:
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Develop annual goals and objectives complimentary of the mission of each member.
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Support the work of the larger group by participating in planning, activities and events.
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Inform all local units and affiliates, departments and administrative offices of activities of the coalition and request participation.
PHAC also has a task force within the state Department of Human Services and two within the state Department of Education designed to address social determinants that lead to hunger.
If your organization would like to join the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Coalition, please contact Hunger-Free Pennsylvania Executive Director Sheila Christopher by phone at 412-290-3045 or via email at sachristopher@pafoodbanks.org.
RESOURCES FOR SENIORS
FREE RESOURCES FOR SENIORS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS
What Are Your Long-term Care Rights Under Medicare?
As a Medicare beneficiary, you have these basic rights:
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To safety when you get health care
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To get the health care services the law says you can get
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Protection against unethical practices
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Protection of your privacy
All states must have a long-term care (LTC) Ombudsman program. An ombudsman serves as an advocate for residents and helps to resolve problems or violations of rights. Residents and family members can ask LTC administrative staff about how to contact their local ombudsman.
If you receive LTC in a nursing home or facility, you have rights and protections under federal and state law as a resident, including the right to:
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Be informed
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Make your own decisions
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Have your personal information kept private
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Receive information about your rights and responsibilities in writing in a language you understand before you are admitted
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Be treated with dignity and respect, free to make your own daily schedule
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Participate in activities offered at the facility
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Be free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, disability, age, or religion
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Be free from verbal, physical, sexual, and mental abuse and neglect
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Report abuse and neglect; the facility must investigate any reports within five working days to proper authorities
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Be free from chemical (drugs) or physical (like side rails) restraints put in place for the staff’s convenience
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Make complaints without fear of punishment
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Get proper medical care, being fully informed and involved in your plan of care
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Have your representative informed if your condition, treatment, or level of care needs change or the facility plans to transfer or discharge you
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Get written information on services and fees when you are admitted and if services and fees change
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Manage your own money or have someone you trust do this for you; if you ask the facility (in writing) to keep an account for you, they must protect your funds
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Get proper privacy, property, and living arrangements, including sharing a room with your spouse if you both agree to do so
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Spend private time with visitors
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Get social services to help with counseling, social, legal, and financial problems and discharge planning
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Leave the facility for visits or to move out
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Have protection against unfair transfer or discharge
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Form or participate in resident groups or councils
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Have your family and friends involved with your care
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