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
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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
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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
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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
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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.