The commodity distribution is a federally funded food distribution program to help supplement needed food for families, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The program is based strictly on income.
Montezuma Senior Services distributes these commodities each month in the three towns of Cortez, Mancos and Dolores. The amount of food offered to Montezuma County is determined by the food stamp population of the county.
You may meet TEFAP income-based standards in either of the following two ways:
1. Participate in one of the following public assistance programs: Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP); SNAP (formerly Food Stamps); Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP); Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF); Old Age Pension (OAP); Aid to Needy Disabled (AND); Aid to the Blind (AB); Social Security Income (SSI); Medicaid Eligible Foster Children.
2. Meet income guidelines for those who are eligible.
The next commodity distribution will be Saturday, May 24.
If you haven't gotten your 2014 commodity card (cards are good for the calendar year) you can obtain them at the times and places listed below. Only one card per household is allowed, and you must bring a copy of your proof of income for 2014 to be left at the office.
You must also bring proof of physical address, Social Security number for the head of the household, a copy of your driver's license or state-issued ID card and a box large enough for your commodities.
The state now has a new policy for someone picking up commodities for someone else, and there is a form that must be signed each month.
Where to get commodity cards
Cortez: Senior Services office in the annex, 107 N Chestnut, Wednesdays 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Dolores: Dolores Community Center, Wednesdays 11 a.m.-noon
Mancos: Masonic Lodge Senior Center, 141 E Montezuma, Wednesdays 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
May 24 distributions
Cortez: Fairgrounds, 30100 U.S. 160, 8 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
Dolores: Fire Hall, 45 Railroad Ave., 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
Mancos: United Methodist Church, 470 Grand Ave., 7:30 a.m.- 8 a.m.
Future distributions
March 8, 2014
April 5, 2014
May 24, 2014
No June distribution
July 12, 2014
August 9, 2014
Sept. 6, 2014