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As the growing season begins in Pennsylvania, STEP, Inc. and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are teaming up to offer fruit and vegetable vouchers to eligible senior citizens in Lycoming and Clinton counties.
STEP Office of Aging will be distributing fruit and vegetable vouchers to eligible senior citizens in Lycoming and Clinton counties. The popular program provides a $20 voucher which can be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from participating local farmers' markets.
The vouchers will be given out at STEP Office of Aging centers for healthy aging, beginning June 1. To qualify, individuals must be age 60 and older, live in Lycoming or Clinton counties and have a total annual income of $22,311 for an individual or $30,044 for two people. Proof of age and residence is required.
Vouchers will be distributed -- while supplies last -- according to the following schedule:
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, STEP Office of Aging, Clinton County Community Center.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, STEP Office of Aging ,RiverWalk Center, South Williamsport.
The following distributions will only occur if vouchers are still available:
• 1-3 p.m. June 5, STEP Office of Aging, Jersey Shore Center.
• 12:30-2:30 p.m. June 8, STEP Office of Aging, Renovo Center.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 9, STEP Office of Aging, George C. Meck Center, Muncy.
Fred Shrip, Office of Aging program director, emphasizes that STEP receives a limited number of vouchers, so the distributions slated for June 5, 8 and 9 will be held only if vouchers are still available. Those interested should contact the Jersey Shore, Renovo and Meck Centers ahead of time to check on availability following the first two voucher distributions in Lock Haven and South Williamsport.
"Annually, STEP receives about 1,700 vouchers from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to distribute to qualifying local seniors," Shrimp said. "It's a program we are glad to be able to offer since it positively impacts so many people."
Shrimp said if people are unable to personally come to a distribution, they can use a proxy form to have someone else pick up a voucher for them. Proxy forms must be completed ahead of time and are available through any of STEP's eight centers for healthy aging and the Office of Aging main office, 2138 Lincoln St.
Jane Thompson, STEP Office of Aging health, nutrition and fitness centers manager, said the voucher program is a win-win for everyone involved. "The veggie vouchers help support our local agricultural community, and they also provide access to healthy and nutritious farm-fresh fruits and vegetables for area residents," she added.
STEP will offer several other activities during the voucher distributions, including healthy foods taste testing, a healthy recipe distribution and Medicare insurance counseling.
STEP representatives also will be available to talk with people about volunteer opportunities with STEP, such as delivering Meals on Wheels.
Contact the STEP Office of Aging at 570-323-3096 or 570-858-5800, or your nearest center for healthy aging, if you have any questions about the program.
STEP Office of Aging is part of the Independent Living Pathway to Success.