DEAR SUN SPOTS: Androscoggin Humane Society and Alley Cats L/A presents our Annual Biggest Yard Sale Ever at 55 Strawberry Ave. in Lewiston on Saturday August 19 from 8am-3pm. We need your GOOD stuff to sell to benefit our spay/neuter programs. If you have items to donate, please call 784-1553 or 783-2311. You can also bring your items to the shelter August 17 and 18.
–Melanie, no town
ANSWER: If you have been having difficulty getting motivated to tidy up around the house, this is a great reason to get in gear and clean out that garage and basement! Here’s to a successful yard sale! I’m sure there will be lots of good deals!
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Lisbon Community School PTO is collecting Box Tops for Education from packages and could use your help. If you don’t have a school to donate them to, we would love to have them and could use them! THANK YOU! Please send to: Lisbon Community School PTO at 33 Mill Street, Lisbon ME 04250.
–No name, no town
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for all you do! My question deals with farmers markets and the ability for seniors to obtain food at a discount. I believe there is a program to apply to (through the state perhaps), but I don’t know where to start – Can you help?
–Lori, no town
ANSWER: According to The Maine Federation of Farmers Markets’ Director, Leigh Hallett, the only statewide programs that provide discounts on produce for seniors are Maine Harvest Bucks and Senior Farm Share. The Maine Harvest Bucks program offers nutrition incentives (bonuses) to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) participants at many farmers’ markets, CSA farms, farm stands, and retail stores (co-ops and food-hubs) selling local produce. There’s a listing of participating members at www.maineharvestbucks.org or call the Federation at 487-7114 for a market location near you.
For The Senior Farm Share Program, you need to plan ahead. This program was started with a grant from the USDA and provides low-income seniors with the opportunity to receive fresh produce from Maine farmers during the growing season. Participants in the Senior FarmShare Program are entitled to receive a FarmShare ($50 worth) of first quality, fresh, local fruit and veggies from a Maine farm for a core 8-week period during the growing season. The variety of produce and supply method will vary depending on the farm you choose. There is a list of participating farmers at www.getrealmaine.com. You have to sign up in March and April for the upcoming growing season, must be 60 years old or older, and meet certain income guidelines. You can contact the Area Agency on Aging by calling the ELDERS-1 toll-free number at 1-877-353-3771 to see if you’re eligible.
Lastly, many communities offer programs at the local level so it would definitely be worth checking directly with your farmers’ market and with any social service agencies in your particular area. Hope this helps!
Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots Facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.
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