THE BROWN BAG PROGRAM

The Brown Bag program is a supplemental food program that gives a free bag of food each month to low-income seniors. In some communities, families and the disabled are also eligible. The Brown Bag program is sponsored by Massachusetts food banks, local agencies such as Councils on Aging and Elder Services organizations, and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

Eligibility:

• Income is no more than 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) . In 2006, this limit is:
• $17,150 per year for one person
• $23,100 per year for a couple OR
• applicant gets help from one of these programs:
• Food stamps
• MassHealth (Medicaid)
• Fuel assistance
• SSI
• Veterans' services
• Live in the service area of a Brown Bag program. Brown Bag is offered by many senior centers, Councils on Aging, and other agencies throughout Massachusetts.
• In some communities, seniors age 55 or older are eligible. In other communities, you must be 60 or older. Some communities serve the disabled and families as well as seniors.

Benefits:

Each month members get a brown bag filled with about 10 to 15 pounds of nutritious food. A typical brown bag would include many of these items: milk, cheese, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, beef stew, tuna fish, peanut butter, oatmeal, raisins, beans, and apple juice. Fresh produce might also be included.

Many Brown Bag programs give the food for free.  Others ask for a small donation (about $3) to help cover costs.

Application process:

Call the local food bank or senior agency to see if there is a nearby Brown Bag program and to register.

Food Banks:

• Greater Boston Food Bank (Eastern Massachusetts), 617-427-5200, Web site: http://www.gbfb.org/content/main.cfm?sca_id=54&cu_id=8
• Worcester County Food Bank (Central Massachusetts), 508-842-3663, Web site: http://www.foodbank.org/immediate_help/immediate_assistance.html
• The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts (Western Massachusetts), 413-247-9738 or 800-247-9632. Web site: http://www.foodbankwma.org/brownbag/index.htm ; Application: http://www.foodbankwma.org/brownbag/bb_application_english.pdf

Some Brown Bag programs limit the number of food bags they give out each month. There may be a waiting list to join the program. Once registered, members get a Brown Bag card from their local program.

Getting Food:

When the member is registered and gets their Brown Bag card, they will be told when the food is distributed. Food distribution will be the same day and time each month (for example, the first Thursday of the month, from 10 until noon).

Members may pick up their brown bag or have someone else pick it up for them. If someone else is picking up the food, they should have the member’s Brown Bag card as identification. Some programs have volunteers deliver bags if the member cannot pick it up and there is no one else to pick it up for them.

-From: Mention in MassResources.org Newsletter: 2007 Update, Volume 4 Issue 1 , January, 2007, January 25, 2007.

1/07