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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2000)
The INDEPENDENT, December 6, 2000 Page 11 Changes make it easier for Oregonians to qualify for food stamps Beginning December 1, more low-income Oregonians have become eligible to re ceive food stamps for their families, as a result of citizen efforts to open up the food stamp program. Food stamps are now available to all Orego nians at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level, up from 130 percent. This means that all families who receive free or reduced- price school meals and all fam ilies in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, will now qualify for at least $10 worth of food stamps per month. A family of four now qualifies if their income is less than $2,628 per month. In addi tion to the income limit change, household assets such as cars, bank accounts and other resources will no longer be counted. “One out of eight Oregon households struggles to put food on the table. In nearly two- thirds of those households, the head of the household is work ing,” said Mike Leachman, pol icy analyst at the Oregon Cen ter for Public Policy. “By in ¿AfiSlAAAJD dSjOA (D & ti HOT, ICED & BLENDED DRINKS & TEA PASTRIES • MUFFINS • COOKIES • BAGELS SANDWICHES • SALADS • SOUPS • CHILI • CHILI DOGS 3" OnnwvuMiy 9 t A CJUA ( p /a p a & $ws£Ui)tu]A - <0cc. 9 - / 0 RARrrSUSS, VTGG/f PLOTTERS, C MEAT & CHEESE TRAYS AVAILABLE BY SPECIAL ORDER! creasing the amount of income families can earn before losing their eligibility for food stamps, and by allowing the working families with vehicles to main tain eligibility, Oregon has helped assure that low-income, working parents can keep themselves and their children adequately fed." Prior to this change, if a fam ily in Oregon owned a car val ued at more than $4,650, they were ineligible for food stamps. The state’s Adult and Family Services of the Department of Human Services, is making the 21 st SENTRY V ID EO SPECIALS! 2 Movies, 2 Days... 3 Movies, 1 Day.... 1 Movie, 1 Day.... Jh&hap&uik WbaAAaqa; f a l l 503429-9011 fo/i dsiail& C N a il & Tanning Appointm ents > A vailable • Walk-ins Welcome y REG HOURS: M on 6a-12:30p - Tu-F 6a-5p • Sa 7a-5p • Su 8a-2p 854 BRIDGE ST., VERNONIA • 503-429-9011 The Columbia Foundation has named Genell Grow as di rector of the Columbia Technol ogy Center (CTC). Genell has been managing the CTC since June of this year and has also served for the past four months as Interim Executive Director for the Foundation. With the s6" s5" S749 (Late charge of S2.99 per day, per movie.) All Other Movies 5 Movies, 5 Days.... s5°° 1 Movie, 1 Day...... 79* (Late charge of 99c per day, per movie.) Vernonia Sentry 503-429-381 1 735 Jefferson Avenue Bank, a 30 percent increase from 1996. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 12.6 percent of all Oregon households struggle to put food on the table. People interested in apply ing for food stamps can call the Oregon Food Stamp Toll-Free Hotline at 1-800-SAFENET (1- 800-723-3638; 503-723-3638 in Portland). Director named for Tech Center N ew R eleases E ggnog is back for the S eason Gifts and Gift Certificates Available changes based on a provision in federal law that allows states to create their own eligibility levels for food stamps. Food bank advocates say these changes will help ease the pressures facing many who visit their local food pantries for emergency food relief. Last year, 515,000 people received emergency food box es from the Oregon Food Play it hiring of the Foundation’s new Executive Director, Lynne Cox, Director Grow is now free to concentrate her efforts on the CTC. Genell joined the CTC in April of 1997 as a computer class instructor. She concur rently attended Portland Com munity College, majoring in Computer Information Sys tems. In 1998, she became the primary computer class instruc tor for the CTC and shortly thereafter moved into the posi tion of Education Manager. One year later, Genell as sumed responsibility for the en tire Technology Center, as the Director. Governor’s budget safe! You’ll always score with an INDEPENDENT classified ad. Call 429-9410 F ro m p a g e 5 ganization is the Governor’s proposal to increase funding for higher education. As the state’s largest business associ ation, AOI has consistently ad vocated a well-funded higher education system as a key to continued economic success for Oregon. Tis the season to be jolly, so take a few precautions to keep your holidays happy! • Check your Christmas lights for frayed or exposed wires, loose connections or broken sockets before you put them up. • Make sure your tree is securely anchored in a tree stand and kept well watered. • Don’t use indoor Christmas lights or extension cords outside. • Don’t overload circuits or have too’many plugs in one socket. • Turn off and unplug all Christmas lights, indoors and out, before going to bed. Don’t I et that glow in the slcy be your home. Play it safe w ith these pre cautions. Remember, fire only needs a chance — don’t give it one. • Use flame-resistant or non-flammable decorations. If they are not labeled flame-resistant, don’t buy them! • Keep matches well out of reach of children. • Be sure your smoke alarm is working properly. • Makeshift ladders are the number one cause of injury during the holiday season. Be careful what you stand on. • Have a fire extinguisher in your home at all times. • Don’t place your tree near a fireplace or heater. West Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc.
