For older residents of Mineral County who are finding it harder to stretch their grocery dollars, the Commodities Program offers a helping hand. 

Officially known as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, it provides eligible adults aged 60 and older with supplemental food to help meet their nutritional needs. Currently, there are around 80 to 90 people who receive commodities every other month. Besides age, eligibility is based largely on household income and the number of people living in the household.

People who are fully eligible for certain other assistance programs may be able to use that eligibility to qualify for Commodities, too. These programs include SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), Supplemental Security Income and certain Medicare assistance programs. Other qualifying programs may also be accepted under state rules.

The important thing to remember is that residents do not necessarily have to figure out all the federal guidelines on their own. Anyone age 60 or older who could use a little extra help putting food on the table should contact the local Commodities Program to ask about eligibility and how to apply. For seniors living on limited incomes, a box of groceries can make a meaningful difference in the monthly budget, leaving a little more room for other necessities.

Over the past few years, the distribution has been conducted at the St. Regis Senior Citizens Center but that has changed. Please note the new temporary days, times and locations:

St. Regis/West End: Wednesday, October 21st from 9-1 p.m. at the St. Regis Firehall, 496 Highway 135

Superior: Wednesday, October 21st from 1 to 4 p.m. at Riverside Gatherings, 502 2nd Avenue East

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is under the umbrella of Western Montana

Aging Services. Contact Shaia Maturino at (406) 849-9011 or Tami Flanagan at (406) 872-2288 with questions or concerns.