USES and Greater Boston Food Bank Partner to Provide Free Groceries for Seniors

Boston, Mass. – United South End Settlements (USES) is forming a new partnership with The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) to provide free groceries to seniors. For the first time in the state of Massachusetts, GBFB is administering the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), a monthly food distribution program for individuals 60 years of age or older. Eligibility is determined by age, gross monthly income and household size. The Greater Boston Food Bank will provide food to a new distribution site located at USES’ Harriet Tubman House, 566 Columbus Avenue. Participating individuals who have pre-registered will receive a free 35lb bag of groceries each month.

This partnership expands the vibrant Senior Services program at USES. The Senior Services program’s mission is to enable local seniors to live independently and comfortably in their own homes, to engage with the broader community, and to maintain their health, well-being and happiness. USES provides educational, social and recreational opportunities to preserve dignity, maintain independence and promote life satisfaction among the older adults in our community.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program works to improve the health of low-income elderly persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious foods. CSFP was created by Congress in 1969 to address elder hunger while also promoting agricultural policy. Through CSFP, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) distributes both food and administrative funds to participating States and Indian Tribal Organizations.

Individuals who are interested in participating in CSFP at USES must register in advance. Registration begins on Open Registration Day, Wednesday, July 1 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Harriet Tubman House, 566 Columbus Avenue. Applicants must provide proof of age, residency, income, and identification. Distribution will begin on Wednesday, July 15.

“For a person of limited resources, eating nutritious foods so often becomes secondary to other more pressing needs,” says Clara Garcia, USES Director of Senior Services. “This new partnership with GBFB is an exciting opportunity for us to provide some relief in the lives of seniors who are facing economic hardship.”

To learn more, please contact USES at 617-536-8610 or info@uses.org.

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About United South End Settlements

For generations, the South End and Lower Roxbury community has been home to families of all backgrounds, a refuge for the city’s artistic soul, and at the forefront of opening doors for residents and guests regardless of their sexual orientation, class or religion. United South End Settlements (USES) was founded in 1891 as the first settlement house in Boston when members of the community committed to ensuring that all residents had what they needed to move forward. This was the beginning of the early social justice movement

USES is a “living room” for our community – a place where all residents can come together to continue their education, build a collective voice, and receive the support they need to elevate themselves and each other.

About The Greater Boston Food Bank

The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. GBFB distributes more than 50 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to 550 member hunger-relief agencies and more than 30 direct service programs throughout eastern Massachusetts in a dedicated partnership to end hunger in our region. This provides meals for as many as 500,000 people a year. GBFB is a member of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network. For more information, visit GBFB.org, become a fan on Facebook, follow on Twitter, or call 617.427.5200.