Food Assistance Available For Hurricane Irma Victims

DADE CITY, FL – For some people in Pasco County, Hurricane Irma’s damage created a cycle of falling behind. Whether a person had to throw out everything in their refrigerator or their office was closed for a week thanks to power outages, there are those who are seeking a leg-up to catch up.

In an effort to help these people, the Department of Children and Families, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will create a Florida for Food Disaster Food Assistance Program in Pasco County to assist people and families impacted by Hurricane Irma.

The Pasco County program will take place at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City, from Sunday, Nov. 5 to Wednesday, Nov. 8. The program is scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The line may close prior to 6 p.m. based on the time it would take to process those already in line.

To qualify for the Food for Florida Disaster Food Assistance program, applicants must have worked or lived in one of the counties declared for FEMA Individual Assistance on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Also, applicants must not be receiving food assistance through the regular Food Assistance Program (SNAP).

Eligible families and people must have suffered a disaster-related loss, like reduction or loss of income, loss of food, damage to their homes or have incurred other disaster-related expenses. The income loss or expenses must have occurred from Sept. 5 through Monday, Oct. 4. DCB will provide or mail EBT cards to eligible people and families to use at authorized USDA food retailers.

DCF has encouraged applicants to preregister online prior to visiting the program at http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/fff/benefit.shtml.

For more information, visit www.myflfamilies.com/fff.

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