Offers Food Card Access
To The Editor:

I have been reading reports in the local papers that highlight the low participation in the Food Stamp/Food Card programs among eligible populations, mostly immigrants. Not surprisingly, Western Queens, with its amazing diversity and large population of recent immigrants, has been identified as one of the two areas in the five boroughs with the lowest levels of participation. So I would like to take this opportunity to mention to everyone that Sunnyside Community Services operates a Food Card Access Program. Our bilingual outreach staff go out daily to areas with the greatest concentration of eligible individuals to provide information about the Food Card Program and help individuals apply for the benefit.

Sunnyside Community Services has been operating the Food Card Access Program since it was established in 2003 by United Way in partnership with Community Food Resource Center, Seedco, and other community organizations. This program is specifically designed to identify those individuals who are eligible for but not receiving this essential benefit. Our staff set up their spe- cially programmed laptop computers at various locations such as post offices, grocery stores, WIC offices, schools, etc., and prescreen applicants, dispel common misconceptions and help out with the necessary forms and documentation. We help approximately 300 individuals a month to get this critical benefit.

To find out if you or someone you know is eligible for the Food Card, and how to apply, please call Betsy Pabon and her staff at Sunnyside Community Services, (718) 784-6173, extension 414.
Cordially,
Judith Zangwill
Executive Director
Sunnyside Community Services