food matters - Alameda County Community Food Bank

Alameda County
Social Services
Agency
FOOD MATTERS
Summer 2014
A publication of Alameda County Community Food Bank to celebrate the CalFresh Program and your good work
Helping fight hunger in the face of drought
“The effects of
California's drought
could soon hit the state's
food banks, which serve
2 million of its poorest
residents.” Headlines
like this are painting a
dire picture for Food
Banks across the state,
and reports indicate that
urban food banks, such
as the Alameda County
Community Food Bank,
are expected to be most
significantly impacted by
the drought.
Despite the headlines,
the Food bank, in
collaboration with
Alameda County Social
“Thank you for helping me
feed my children healthy
food, and thank you for
the eligibility workers that
took the time to review
my case at the Food Bank
and Social Services.”
— Mayra
Services and our partner
agencies, maintains its
collective mission to
eliminate hunger in the
community. We expect to
distribute approximately
17.8 million pounds
of produce next year to
help meet the growing
demand for food in our
community. Clients such
as Mayra, who rely on
Food Bank resources and
the help she receives from
CalFresh benefits, have
faith that regardless of
what happens, the Food
Bank and Social Services
will be there to help.
Summer Lunch and Food Helpline:
1-800-870-FOOD
Summer is still in full swing! However, for many
residents in Alameda County, summer break also means an
end to free school breakfast and lunch for children. This
is a real hardship for families when budgets are tight. But
Alameda County Community Food Bank and our partner
agencies are here to help!
We’re here to help!
The Food Bank Outreach
Team is contracted by
Alameda County to
offer CalFresh outreach
and out-of-office
applications. Call
(510) 635-3663 or email
to [email protected].
Lisa Houston
ext. 355
Patty Figueroa Jesslyn Kwong
ext. 360
ext. 377
Note: Some discount cell phone services do not permit toll-free calling. Subscribers to
those services can call the local number, (510) 635-3663, in Alameda County.
facebook.com/alcofoodbank
www.accfb.org
Anel Cruz
ext. 740
Hue Ly
ext. 356
Kim Ly
ext. 362
Vanessa
Ramirez
ext. 743
Alejandro
Rodriguez
ext. 359
Miguel Rosales
ext. 374
Daisy
Ruvalcaba
ext. 741
Katie Von Der
Lieth
ext. 305
Our Emergency Food Helpline is available year-round to connect county residents to
local food pantries. And in the summer, callers can also learn about a free Summer Lunch
site in their neighborhood. No paperwork is required, and there are no income limits.
Lunches are available to anyone under 18.
Encourage your clients to call their friends at the Food Bank at 1-800-870-FOOD
(3663) and ask about free summer lunch!
Esther Chung
ext. 376
Liz Gomez
ext. 325
twitter.com/ACCFB
Food Matters — Summer 2014
Advocacy Update
More CalFresh Barriers Removed
There are many reasons to celebrate this year as the state budget will
allow increased access to CalFresh!
•
Despite a Farm Bill passing in Congress that cut $8.6
billion from SNAP through the Heat and Eat program,
California has decided to keep the program for families who
will see an increase in their benefit amount. Families may
receive at least the required $20.01 minimum in LIHEAP
assistance and that will in turn increase their CalFresh
allowance.
•
Last year, a bill passed that raised the gross income
eligibility to 200% FPL for households that have a
Medi-Cal recipient. The Department of Social Services
requested in the budget that this new threshold apply to all
households. This, too, was included in the budget!
•
Finally, after 17 years of advocacy, the lifetime ban from
CalFresh and CalWORKS on people previously convicted
of a drug felony has been lifted! This action was also taken
in the California budget.
Everything came into effect on July 1st, except for lifting the drug felony ban, which will take effect April 1, 2015.
WINS Benefit becomes active 7-1-2014
Definition of Work Incentive Nutritional Supplement (WINS) Benefit,
which is a $10.00 monthly food supplement.
In order to be eligible for the WINS benefit, a household must meet the following criteria:
1. Must be a CalFresh household, but not receiving CalWORKs.
2. Must have a child under age 18 in the home, unless there is a child meeting WIC section 11253 criteria.
3. Must contain a parent or caretaker relative that meets the TANF definition of a "work-eligible" individual.
4. The WEIs must be participating in a sufficient number of hours (the applicable 20/30/35 per week) of subsidized or
unsubsidized work activities that meet federal TANF work participation requirements.
5. Provides acceptable documentation that the household met the federal work requirements, in accordance with
California’s federally approved Work Verification Plan (ACL #09-07).
Did you miss a previous Food Matters edition? Visit the Food Bank’s website: accfb.org/media/media_publications
Comments or suggestions? Please e-mail Danielle White at [email protected]