LMH Area Office on Aging Food Box Program

Area Office on Aging and Lucas Metropolitan Housing Join Forces to Distribute USDA Food Boxes to Seniors

United States Department of Agriculture Farmers to Families Food Box Program Will Help Feed Area Citizens

Toledo, Ohio, June 11, 2020 - Starting on Friday, June 12, under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box Program, food boxes will be distributed to area seniors. Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH) and the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio are partnering on the distribution. Distribution will occur again on Tuesday, June, 30, and will continue through December. The following senior/disability sites will serve as distribution locations: Ashley Arms, Dorrell Manor, Vistula Manor, Flory Gardens and Richmar Manor.

Through this program, small and regional food distributors are able to bring back their workforce to receive food directly from farmers. The contents of the food boxes vary-there may be a fresh fruit and vegetable box, a diary box, a pre-cooked meat box or a mixed box that contains any combination of those items, or fluid milk. The USDA provides oversight to ensure food safety plans are followed, that only domestic produce is provided and quality products are delivered.

Non-profit organizations receiving food must be able to "demonstrate operational and financial capability to receive, store and distribute requested food items." Area Office on Aging President/CEO, Mrs. Billie Johnson said, "The Area Office on Aging is working to eliminate senior hunger in our community for all those who struggle to get enough food to eat. This produce will go a long way toward helping make sure older adults don't go to bed hungry." The Area Office on Aging applied for the program and requested support from LMHA to assist with distribution. "We are happy to partner with the Area Office to help our senior residents take advantage of this great program," stated Coleena Ali, Vice President of Resident Services for LMHA. "Senior nutrition is always a concern for us and this program will bring fresh food items directly to our seniors' homes."

According to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue "the Farmers to Families Food Box Program was designed to put American farmers and distributors of all sizes back to work while supporting over-burdened food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need." In a statement released on June 4, the USDA reported that more than five million food boxes have been distributed in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about this local Farmers to Families Food Box Program, please contact the Area Office on Aging at 419-382-0624.

About Lucas Metropolitan Housing
Established in 1933, Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH) continues to provide affordable housing to adults, seniors and children in its Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, Mixed-Income and Market Rate housing units. LMH also provides a myriad of
programs and opportunities designed to improve the total quality of life for our residents, with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency. The programs and services are the results of successful collaborations with numerous community partners.

Our current housing portfolio consists of 2,633 Public Housing units; 4,657 Housing Choice Vouchers; 322 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units; 198 Market Rate units and 107 Homeownership Properties. There are approximately 17,500 people who reside in LMHA properties. Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority partners with ALL people and organizations willing to exchange ideas and efforts to enhance Toledo, Lucas County and the world.

About the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. (AOoA) is designated as the statutory authority for planning and developing a comprehensive service network for 10 counties in northwestern Ohio. For over four decades, the AOoA has worked to meet the ever growing needs of northwest Ohioans age 60 and better and their family caregivers.

The Area Office of Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. promotes the health, well-being and safety of older adults, persons with disabilities and family caregivers to foster independence. Over 40,000 older northwest Ohioans are served annually through the AOoA and its network of over 180 service providers. These services focus in the areas of nutrition, home care, Alzheimer's day care, senior services and more.

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Contact:
Coleena Ali
Vice President of Resident Services
Lucas Metropolitan Housing
419-259-9550
Email