Diakon assists with Farm Market Vouchers distribution

Pottsville, Pa. (Wednesday June 2, 2021)

Farm market vouchers will soon be available to eligible Schuylkill County older adults.

There are several ways to receive the vouchers.

Applicants can complete an application and return it to Diakon Community Services through email, fax or mail. Diakon staff will review and process applications and mail vouchers to people who qualify.

Applicants also may make an appointment at a county senior center by calling (570) 624-3063.

In addition, they can attend outside distributions. Those will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 11 or from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 19 at Kenny Stehr and Sons Farmer’s Market, 29 Kettle Rd., Pitman. Another outside distribution will occur at the “Taste and See – Pennsylvania Produce” event at The Island, Broadway Street, Schuylkill Haven, from 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 11.

To be eligible, applicants must turn 60 before Dec. 31 of this year and be a county resident. Income guidelines for eligibility are $23,828 for a single-person household and $32,227 for a two-person household, including investment interest, wages, Social Security payments, unemployment and similar distributions. Federal stimulus checks do not count as income for determining eligibility.

The voucher program does not include older adults living in nursing care centers or other residential facilities in which meals are provided.
All completed applications must be returned to Diakon Community Services before Sept. 15 by mail to 118 S. Centre St., Pottsville, PA 17901, email to CSS@diakon.org or fax to 1-570-624-3011.

Application forms are available on the Diakon Community Services website, on Diakon Community Services’ Facebook page and at the following locations:

Redner’s Warehouse Markets:

  • 191 Manheim Rd., Schuylkill Haven
  • 1 Gold Star Highway, Shenandoah
  • 22 Forest Dr, Hegins

Boyer’s Food Stores’ customer service desk:

  • 150 E. Center St., Ashland
  • 550 W. Oak St., Frackville
  • 318 S. Hancock St., McAdoo
  • 329 S. Liberty St., Orwigsburg
  • 131-134 W. Main St., Schuylkill Haven
  • 600 W. Center St., Shenandoah
  • 210 Cedar St., Tamaqua
  • Yorkville, 2247 W. Market St., Pottsville

BG’s Value Market:

  • 24 Pleasant Valley Rd., Pine Grove
  • 70 Kings Village, Minersville

Mahanoy City Food Store, 28 S Main St., Mahanoy City

Giant Food Stores, 544 Route 61 Hwy S#6100, Pottsville (Cressona).

As in past years, Diakon Community Services is administering the 2021 Senior Farm Market Nutrition Program. The vouchers are a program of the state Department of Agriculture.

For more information, people may contact Diakon Community Services at (570) 624-3063. Diakon operates various local programs under contract with the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services, with funding from the state Department of Aging.

William Swanger, M.A., APR, Fellow PRSA
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries
(717) 579-9913
E-mail: swangerb@diakon.org