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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 2018)
4 DECEMBER 15, 2018 Food Bank provides boxes, seeks help The Grand Ronde Food Bank – iskam mfkhmfk haws – is operated by Marion-Polk Food Share, which has been leading the fight to end hunger since 1987 because no one should be hungry. Recipients of SNAP, TANF, SSI or LIHEAP assistance automat- ically qualify for assistance at the Grand Ronde Food Bank, 9675 Grand Ronde Road. No one will be turned away in need of a food box. “We believe that everyone deserves to have enough to eat,” Food Bank Coordinator Francene Ambrose says. “You are welcome to get a food box at each of our regular weekly distributions. No one will be turned away in need of a food box.” Upcoming food box distribution dates will be: • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, in the Tribal gym (holiday food boxes). People must check in 15 minutes before closing to receive a food box. If you need immediate assistance, call 211 or visit 211info.org. The Food Bank will be closed the week of Dec. 24-28 in observance of the Christmas holiday. Those who are unable to pick up a food box can fill out an autho- rized representative form and that person can pick up a food box on your behalf. The authorization is good for one year. In addition, the Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center’s Com- munity Health Team will be setting up the mobile clinic at the pantry on the first Friday of every month. The Food Bank continues to seek volunteers to help with repack- ing food, putting food on the shelves, handing out food boxes, end- of-month inventory and picking up food donations at area stores. Call to ensure someone is available to assist. People also can sign up for a monthly e-mail for the Food Bank calendar and events, as well as follow the Food Bank on Facebook. The Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider. Call Ambrose at 503-879-3663 or contact her at fambrose@mar- ionpolkfoodshare.org for more information or to volunteer. Committee & Special Event Board meeting days and times Below is the most current information on the meeting days and times for Tribal Committees and Special Event Boards: • Ceremonial Hunting Board meets as needed. Chair: Marline Gro- shong. • Culture Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Grand Ronde Food Bank/iskam mfkhmfk haws, 9675 Grand Ronde Road. Chair: Francene Ambrose. • Editorial Board meets monthly at the Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center’s conference room, 8720 Grand Ronde Road. Next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. The public is welcome to attend. Chair: Siobhan Taylor. Contact: Editorial.Board@grandronde.org. • Education Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in the Adult Education building. Chair: Tammy Cook. • Elders Committee meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month in the Elders Activity Center. Chair: Penny DeLoe. • Enrollment Board meets the third Wednesday of the month in Room 204 of the Governance Center. Chair: Ann Lewis. • Fish & Wildlife Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Chair: Tyson Mercier. • Health Committee meets at 10 a.m. the second Monday of the month in the Health & Wellness Center. Chair: Patti Tom-Martin. • Housing Board meets at 3 p.m. the third Thursday of the month in the Housing Department conference room. Chair: Kristy Criss-Lawson. • Powwow Special Event Board meets monthly at noon at the Com- munity Center. Dates vary. Contact Dana Ainam at 503-879-2037. Chair: Dana Ainam. • Timber Committee meets at 5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Chair: TBD. • Tribal Employment Rights Commission meets 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, in the Employment Services building, Room 118A. Chair: Russell Wilkinson. • Veterans Special Event Board meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in the old Elders Craft House. Chair: Raymond Petite. To update information on this list, contact Publications Coordinator Dean Rhodes at 503-879-1463 or dean.rhodes@grandronde.org. S moke S ignals Double retirement Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. presents a blanket to Larry Leith as Mary Leith receives a blanket from Tribal Council member Jack Giffen Jr. during a retirement celebration for the couple in the Tribal Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 29. Larry worked as the Procurement Department manager and Mary worked for both the Natural Resources and Human Resources departments. Their last day as Tribal employees was Friday, Nov. 30. MARRIAGES IN TRIBAL COURT Tribal Court is now issuing marriage licenses and is able to perform marriage ceremonies for a filing fee of $40. For questions regarding scheduling, contact the Tribal Court at 503-879-2303. NOTICE TO ALL TRIBAL MEMBERS ON THE SSI/SSD SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME AND MEDICARE PART B REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAMS Attention Tribal members on SSI or SSD Programs: It’s that time of year again; time to remember to send us a copy of your upcoming benefit statement for the year 2019 from the Social Security Administration (SSA) so that we can update your file. The SSA statements should start to come out to Tribal members who qualify around November, with most receiving these statements in December. This is a requirement for Tribal members between the ages of 18-54 who are wanting to requalify for this supplemental program. For Elders age 55 and older, it is required that we have an updated Social Security Administration award letter once every two years. We will be contacting every Elder on the supplemental program (SSI) to request a copy of your award letter. Failure to provide this document may result in your Elder tax status being changed from non-taxable Elder pension to taxable Elder pension. If you don’t receive your award letter in the mail from the Social Se- curity Administration, you can order one by calling 800-772-1213 or online @ www.ssa.gov. Attention Tribal members on Medicare Part B Reimbursement Program: To continue to be eligible for your Medicare Part B Reimbursement, it is required that you submit a copy of your award letter from the Social Security Administration showing proof of your Medicare Part B insurance amount and a copy of your Medicare card. Deadline to submit a copy of your award letter(s) and/or Medicare card is Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, to avoid any delays in your benefits. Please mail, e-mail or fax required documents to: CTGR Member Services Attn: Shannon Simi 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, OR 97347 Fax: 503-879-2408 Shannon.simi@grandronde.org Please feel free to contact Shannon Simi at 503-879-1358 or 1-800- 422-0232, ext. 1358, with any questions and/or concerns. Note: It is the responsibility of the Tribal member to notify the Tribe of any changes in your benefits from the Social Security Administration’s SSI/SSD/Medicare Part B programs. Failure to notify the Tribe may result in an obligation to repay ineligible benefits received, or interrupt or delay your Tribal Supplemental Security Income/Disability/Medicare Part B benefits.
