Many of us have patrons facing unemployment these days. In addition to wanting basic details on filing for unemployment, patrons may be interested in more information on the Food Stamp Program. Now renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the program is designed to provide nutritious food choices for low-income families. To find out if they are eligible, patrons can go to the SNAP Program Eligibility Screening Tool. Keep in mind that this tool is not an application – people must go to their local Food Stamp office to apply.
Citizens should also be aware that the traditional paper coupons will no longer be accepted after June 17 2009. Instead, they will only be able to use EBT cards, which are currently available. Citizens are therefore encouraged to use all paper coupons while they can. For a list of which items can and can’t be purchased using the program, see SNAP’s FAQ page.
In Indiana, where the program is still known as the Food Stamp Program, people can apply at the Division of Family Resources Office in their county. The Family and Social Services Administration provides a directory of each office. The Federal SNAP office can also be reached at:
Phone: 1-800-221-5689
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
3101 Park Center Dr.
Alexandria, VA 22302
SNAP http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/
Screening Tool http://www.snap-step1.usda.gov/fns/
Eligible Foods http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/faqs.htm#10
FAQs http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/faqs.htm
Directory http://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/2999.htm
MR./MISS MATH OR SCIENCE AWARDS
Seeking outstanding high school performance in Mathematics and/or Science! Please encourage youth at your library who excel in science or math to enter the annual 2009 Mr./Miss Math or Science statewide competition, open to all high school students in Indiana. Teachers, principals, and other school staff members can also nominate students for the awards. Criteria for nomination includes SAT, ACT and AP scores, as well as awards and grades received in the relevant courses. Winners receive a $2,000 academic scholarship from McGraw-Hill Education. The application deadline this year is March 8th. Winners will be announced before the end of the school year. Please see the links below for the Governor’s press release and applications for the award.
Applications: https://secure.in.gov/apps/mathscienceawards/
Press release: http://www.in.gov/portal/news_events/35159.htm
IndyStar.com article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009901270375
GOVERNMENT SALES AND AUCTIONS
E-Bay and Amazon aren’t the only places for online shopping. You can also purchase surplus or seized items from the federal government. GovSales offers a wide variety of items for sale, ranging from electronics and clothing to vehicles, houses and even land. The condition of these items varies, but then, so does the price. Not everything is available for bidding online. For example, to purchase property you usually have to actually visit it. However, smaller items are often bid for in online auctions. Shipping is not provided, and purchasers need to arrange for pick-up themselves. Many of the items are available in bulk, and would be particularly helpful to an organization needing supplies. Photographs are generally provided.
The State of Indiana also offers surplus materials for auction, through the Department of Administration. The State defines surplus materials as those that are determined to be no longer useful or needed. These can include vehicles, property and other items as seen fit. There is no online bidding available for these items – rather, the State provides information about where and when these auctions occur. You can also view photographs of some of the materials being sold.
GovSales http://www.govsales.gov/html/index.htm
IDOA http://www.in.gov/idoa/2367.htm
Pictures http://www.in.gov/idoa/2396.htm
COLD AND FLU SEASON
Do you know if you have influenza (flu) or just a really bad cold? Do you know the signs and symptoms of the flu? While small children may experience vomiting while sick with the flu, many people mistakenly think they have it when they really have a stomach or intestinal virus. According to the Center for Disease Control, the flu is actually a serious illness that infects the respiratory tract. The flu can be fatal in infants and the elderly and those with severely compromised immune systems. Some symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, and headache. If you think you may have the flu, please visit your doctor. He or she can recommend treatment and may prescribe antiviral drugs. Antivirals will not cure the flu, but may help reduce symptoms.
For more information on the influenza virus, please visit the Indiana State Department of Health’s Website. Believe it or not, the best way to prevent the spread of the cold or flu is thorough hand washing! Another way to stop the spread of the flu is to stay at home while you’re sick, especially when you’re running a fever. The flu is highly contagious – adults can spread it one day before they show symptoms and up to five days after getting sick. For more information and tips on staying healthy this flu season, please visit these websites:
Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/flu
Indiana State Department of Health: http://www.in.gov/isdh/22104.htm
Medline Plus – The Flu: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000080.htm
by Katharine Springer & Elisabeth O’Donnell