Nutrition Outreach and Education Program helps put food on the table
NORWICH – A community-based program aimed at helping New Yorkers put food on the table – in addition to helping with the state’s economic recovery – the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) assists eligible families and individuals obtain food stamp benefits.
According to the program’s website, www.hungersolutionsny.org/NOEP, approximately 10.5 percent of the state’s population are having trouble purchasing enough food on a regular basis. And with the continued financial and economic difficulties residents are facing, that percentage isn’t expected to drop any time soon, said local NOEP coordinator Darlene Alexander. Many people, she reported, may not be aware of their eligibility status, while others – particularly older adults who’ve worked most, if not all, their lives – may avoid seeking benefits, even though they’re entitled to them.
“There’s always been a sort of stigma attached with food stamps and our goal is to reach out to people and educate them so we can get past that,” stated Alexander. “During these difficult economic times that we’re all facing, it could be a wise decision to call and see if you’re eligible.”
While Alexander’s office, located in the Roots and Wings building at 34-36 Berry Street, doesn’t actually issue food stamps, its main purpose is to determine a person or family’s eligibility. Housing the office in that location made sense, she added, as Roots and Wings has a reputation as the one of the area’s successful outreach centers.
As for the benefits of food stamps, there are many, according to Alexander: giving struggling families more purchasing power to provide the nutritious and healthy foods they and their children need, providing senior citizens’ with another option when they might have to choose between purchasing food or medication and allowing the recently unemployed a means to choose between heating their apartment and feeding themselves.
Food stamps are also, she added, an investment of federal dollars into the economy. As part of New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the NOEP is overseen by the United States of America Department of Agriculture. Last year, the NOEP assisted 25,000 new households with food stamp benefits, resulting in approximately $60 million federal dollars which were directly invested in the state’s economic recovery.
“This is another big key that people need to realize,” stated Alexander. “When you receive food stamps, you’re actually assisting in our economic recovery. Putting that money back into the local economy is important, and if you’ve paid taxes, you’ve paid into this system. This is what our tax dollars go to support.”
In addition, the NOEP is urging families with children to take advantage of the Shine With School Breakfast program. Students who qualify for the program will receive a free or reduced price breakfast, which Alexander said is extremely important in regards to their education. According to the Hunger Solutions website, 31 percent of Chenango County’s student population participated in the program throughout the 2008-2009 school year. Last year, approximately 33 percent took advantage of its benefits.
The prescreening process for both food stamps benefits and the Shine With School Breakfast program is free and confidential, said Alexander. As an NOEP coordinator, it’s her job to make sure households are receiving the maximum allotment of food stamps for which they’re entitled, she added.
“There’s a common misconception that these funds are being abused,” stated Alexander. “As with any system or program, you’re going to find instances of abuse, not just with the food stamp program.”
For more information on the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program contact Alexander at 336-7897 or visit www.hungersolutionsny.org/NOEP.
According to the program’s website, www.hungersolutionsny.org/NOEP, approximately 10.5 percent of the state’s population are having trouble purchasing enough food on a regular basis. And with the continued financial and economic difficulties residents are facing, that percentage isn’t expected to drop any time soon, said local NOEP coordinator Darlene Alexander. Many people, she reported, may not be aware of their eligibility status, while others – particularly older adults who’ve worked most, if not all, their lives – may avoid seeking benefits, even though they’re entitled to them.
“There’s always been a sort of stigma attached with food stamps and our goal is to reach out to people and educate them so we can get past that,” stated Alexander. “During these difficult economic times that we’re all facing, it could be a wise decision to call and see if you’re eligible.”
While Alexander’s office, located in the Roots and Wings building at 34-36 Berry Street, doesn’t actually issue food stamps, its main purpose is to determine a person or family’s eligibility. Housing the office in that location made sense, she added, as Roots and Wings has a reputation as the one of the area’s successful outreach centers.
As for the benefits of food stamps, there are many, according to Alexander: giving struggling families more purchasing power to provide the nutritious and healthy foods they and their children need, providing senior citizens’ with another option when they might have to choose between purchasing food or medication and allowing the recently unemployed a means to choose between heating their apartment and feeding themselves.
Food stamps are also, she added, an investment of federal dollars into the economy. As part of New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the NOEP is overseen by the United States of America Department of Agriculture. Last year, the NOEP assisted 25,000 new households with food stamp benefits, resulting in approximately $60 million federal dollars which were directly invested in the state’s economic recovery.
“This is another big key that people need to realize,” stated Alexander. “When you receive food stamps, you’re actually assisting in our economic recovery. Putting that money back into the local economy is important, and if you’ve paid taxes, you’ve paid into this system. This is what our tax dollars go to support.”
In addition, the NOEP is urging families with children to take advantage of the Shine With School Breakfast program. Students who qualify for the program will receive a free or reduced price breakfast, which Alexander said is extremely important in regards to their education. According to the Hunger Solutions website, 31 percent of Chenango County’s student population participated in the program throughout the 2008-2009 school year. Last year, approximately 33 percent took advantage of its benefits.
The prescreening process for both food stamps benefits and the Shine With School Breakfast program is free and confidential, said Alexander. As an NOEP coordinator, it’s her job to make sure households are receiving the maximum allotment of food stamps for which they’re entitled, she added.
“There’s a common misconception that these funds are being abused,” stated Alexander. “As with any system or program, you’re going to find instances of abuse, not just with the food stamp program.”
For more information on the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program contact Alexander at 336-7897 or visit www.hungersolutionsny.org/NOEP.
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