For the News

On Tuesday, the Southeast Texas Food Bank will distribute boxes of senior-friendly food items at no cost to low-income senior residents at several sites around the city. This event is part of an ongoing program where boxes of food are distributed to low-income seniors within the service area of the Southeast Texas Food Bank.

Seniors who are 60 years old or older and earning less than 130 percent of the poverty level index for their household size can qualify to receive these food boxes at no cost. Those thinking they may qualify for this benefit are asked to bring proof of income and picture ID to any of the sites below to receive a free food box and to enroll themselves for future food box distributions that the Southeast Texas Food Bank will begin conducting for seniors each month in Port Arthur and surrounding communities.

The host sites and times of distribution and enrollment will be as follows:

8:30 am – 9:30 am       Heatherbrook Park Apartments 7900 Heatherbrook Trail, 77642

10 am – 11 am Saint Paul UMC                           821 Freeman Ave., 77640

11:30 pm – 12:30 pm   Edison Square Sr. Apartments.   3501 12^th St., 77642

1 pm – 2 pm     Crystal Creek Park Apartments. 8101 Honeywood Trail, 77642

Questions about the senior box program may be directed to the Southeast Texas Food Bank at 409-839-8777.

In 2017, the Southeast Texas Food Bank is projecting it will distribute more than 7 million meals within its eight-county service territory (Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, and Tyler Counties) through its partnerships with 125 churches and social service agencies and 35 schools. With over 22 percent of the residents in those eight counties deemed to be food insecure (lacking adequate access to the proper nutrition which could insure them an active and healthy lifestyle). Approximately 100,000 residents of the Food Bank’s service territory benefit from the services of the Southeast Texas Food Bank and its partner agencies each year.

The Senior Box Program is a federal Initiative designed to improve the health and nutrition of income eligible seniors. Seniors receive a box of food each month, which helps stretch their fixed incomes.

Anyone who is a Southeast Texas resident and 60 years or older can apply if they meet the income requirements. To apply, contact the Southeast Texas Food Bank to find the nearest distribution site. Bring proof of identification (Driver’s License, Texas ID, or Military ID with birthdate). Bring proof of Income. This includes a check stub, a Social Security award letter, bank statement, and/or a pension statement as proof of household income.

Seniors will receive each month two boxes of hot/cold cereal, two bottles of fruit juice, four cans of vegetables, two cans of fruit, two bags of pasta or rice, one bag of dried beans or one jar of peanut butter, two cartons of shelf stable two percent milk, protein including any one of the following: chicken, salmon, tuna, beef, beef stew, or chili and a two-pound block of cheese.