Area seniors invited to register for Senior Box Program

RUSK – Sign-up for a Senior Box Program has extended to July 17, with residents invited to register from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday at the Good Samaritan Food Pantry, 190 W. 2nd St. in Rusk.

Participants do not need to live in or have a Rusk address, according to officials at Good Samaritan, which has partnered with the East Texas Food Bank to bring the program to Cherokee County.

Monday’s event drew 32 participants, said Good Samaritan board president Barbara Jelley.

The Senior Box Program is open to those age 60 and older. Applicants are asked to bring their identification to be part of the once-a-month program that provides a 32-pound box of food and a block of cheese, she said.

East Texas Food Bank provides boxes of nutritious food each month to low-income seniors, many of whom live in isolated, rural communities. According to ETFB, more than 4,500 seniors receive a box monthly at sites throughout its service area.

Eligibility requirements for the Senior Box Program include:

• Age – Applicants must be 60 years of age or older, and prove identity with legal documentation

• Income – Declaration of gross income is required

• Residency – Declaration of residency is required

To learn more, visit Good Samaritan’s page on Facebook, or email ruskgoodsamaritan@gmail.com