Fresh produce is just a voucher away for Lackawanna County senior citizens this summer.
The Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, with the help of the state Department of Agriculture, will distribute 20,000 Farmers Market Nutritional Program vouchers at 10 senior centers starting Thursday. Each voucher is worth $5 of fresh produce.
"When you stop and think what it does with the local farmers and growers who are marketing to the public, it gives them a little shot it the arm," said Colin Holmes, administrator for the Agency on Aging. "And it gets into the hands of folks who are worried about nutrition."
Lackawanna County residents 60 years and older by Dec. 31 and who meet income guidelines are eligible for the vouchers. Annual income cannot exceed $21,257 for a single person, $28,694 for a couple or $36,131 for a three-person household. Participants must also show proof of age and Lackawanna County residency.
Voucher distribution will begin at 9 a.m. at each of the centers on a first-come, first-served basis, although proxy forms can be filled out by seniors unable to make a trip to a center. Proxy forms can be obtained at the Area Agency on Aging, local senior centers or online at www.lackawannacounty.org.
"It's out there for the benefit of the citizens. And hopefully they'll take advantage," Mr. Holmes said.
The scheduled distribution dates are:
-âThursday, June 6: Carbondale Senior Center, 66 N. Church St., Carbondale
-âMonday, June 10: Abington Senior Center, 1151 Winola Road, Clarks Summit
-âWednesday, June 12: North Pocono Senior Center, Route 435, Covington Twp.
-âFriday, June 14: South Side Senior Center, 425 Alder St., Scranton
-âMonday, June 17: Dunmore Senior Center, 1414 Monroe Ave., Dunmore
-âWednesday, June 19: Jewish Community Center, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton
-âMonday, June 24: Mid Valley Senior Center, Green Wave Heritage Apts., 310 Church St., Jessup
-âWednesday, June 26: Downtown Senior Center, 305 Penn Ave., Scranton
-âFriday, June 28: West Side Senior Center, 1004 Jackson St., Scranton
-âTuesday, July 2: Taylor Community Center, 700 S. Main St., Taylor
For more information on the voucher program, call 963-6740.
Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter