According to the Emergency Food Assistance Program, the number of seniors in Washington state relying on food banks relying on food banks has risen 22% just in the past two years.
There's some good news, though. With the summer farmers market season getting underway, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program offers eligible low-income seniors a way to access nutritious fresh fruit and vegetables. The program, which operates June through October, supplies fresh produce in two ways:
seniors can redeem farmers market checks for up to $40 worth of produce at authorized farmers markets or roadside stands, or, local produce is purchased directly from farmers and delivered to eligible homebound seniors or to meal sites and senior housing for pick up by seniors.
The program not only provides seniors a way to eat healthier, but also offers the fun and social interaction of visiting the local farmers market. It also helps to support local farming by encouraging the use of farmers markets and roadside produce stands.
To be eligible for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, you must be age 60 or over and have an income less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level ($1,669.63 per month for one person in 2010). For more information and program contacts, see the program webpage.
(Information courtesy of Energize Newsletter for Nutrition Educators, published by the Washington State University Nutrition Education Network. Read the latest issue here.)
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Maurice the Fish rocked the house . . .
AND raised more than $5,000 to help FISH Food Banks feed hungry people across Pierce County!
Pastor Heather James welcomed all the attendees and musicians on behalf of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and then turned the mike over to emcee Cliff Lenderman of the Lenderman Academy of Martial Arts.
The music began with a video from Kim Archer, whose gorgeous acoustic rendition of "Unchain My Heart" got the show off to a rousing start.
Then the JNC Trio took the stage, making their debut as a band and marking the evening's first appearance by the amazing multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Nick Sandy, who performed with most of the evening's acts. The trio rocked a set of covers and originals.
Drummer Eric Montgomery demonstrated his versatility with a solo piano/vocal set featuring a beautiful rendition of Elton John's "Your Song" and his own original compositions.
Backed by the JNC Trio's Chad Russell and Nick Sandy, Savannah opened her set with Missy Higgins' "Where I Stood," before moving into original songs, including a couple from her Reaching Serenity CD.
At intermission, Cliff Lenderman led the freewill donation for FISH Food Banks, and we were bowled over by the generosity of the folks in the crowd.
The amazing Rikk Beatty kicked off the second half of the show with his trademark power guitar sound, and then Nick Sandy took the stage for a solo set.
Raymond Hayden and the Dark Drive Home followed with their own original material, and then backed up the evening's final act, Danielle Egnew, as she provided a rocking close to the festivities.
We at FISH are immensely grateful to Raymond Hayden for organizing this wonderful event, to all the musicians who donated their time and talent, to the audience members who were so generous with their donations, and to the sponsors who provided support and door prizes: The Tempest, Tacoma Rainiers, Leatherman, Silver City Restaurant and Brewery, The Matador, and McCormick Woods.
Pastor Heather James welcomed all the attendees and musicians on behalf of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and then turned the mike over to emcee Cliff Lenderman of the Lenderman Academy of Martial Arts.
The music began with a video from Kim Archer, whose gorgeous acoustic rendition of "Unchain My Heart" got the show off to a rousing start.
Then the JNC Trio took the stage, making their debut as a band and marking the evening's first appearance by the amazing multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Nick Sandy, who performed with most of the evening's acts. The trio rocked a set of covers and originals.
Drummer Eric Montgomery demonstrated his versatility with a solo piano/vocal set featuring a beautiful rendition of Elton John's "Your Song" and his own original compositions.
Backed by the JNC Trio's Chad Russell and Nick Sandy, Savannah opened her set with Missy Higgins' "Where I Stood," before moving into original songs, including a couple from her Reaching Serenity CD.
At intermission, Cliff Lenderman led the freewill donation for FISH Food Banks, and we were bowled over by the generosity of the folks in the crowd.
The amazing Rikk Beatty kicked off the second half of the show with his trademark power guitar sound, and then Nick Sandy took the stage for a solo set.
Raymond Hayden and the Dark Drive Home followed with their own original material, and then backed up the evening's final act, Danielle Egnew, as she provided a rocking close to the festivities.
We at FISH are immensely grateful to Raymond Hayden for organizing this wonderful event, to all the musicians who donated their time and talent, to the audience members who were so generous with their donations, and to the sponsors who provided support and door prizes: The Tempest, Tacoma Rainiers, Leatherman, Silver City Restaurant and Brewery, The Matador, and McCormick Woods.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
