Templeton wins national grant

Templeton wins national grant 

Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Templeton’s Council on Aging has received a $10,000 outreach grant to help educate, screen and enroll seniors in government assistance programs.

“We are one of only 30 agencies in the entire country to receive this grant,” said Bethany Loveless, director of Templeton’s council.

The grant — which specifically pertains to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — allows for the creation of a part-time temporary position with the council who will work with seniors in Templeton, Athol and Phillipston to enroll them in the program and make them aware of other assistance programs they may be eligible for.

According to Ms. Loveless, only a limited number of grants were given out and Templeton’s economically vulnerable seniors made it an ideal candidate.


“It’s no wonder that Templeton is an area that they targeted,” Ms. Loveless said.

Ms. Loveless was initially not going to apply for the grant — considering only 30 finalists would be chosen nationwide. However, e-mails and statistics provided by the Massachusetts Councils on Aging convinced her that seniors in Templeton and surrounding towns were in dire need of assistance.

“When I saw that in Massachusetts, only 32 percent of those seniors eligible for SNAP take advantage of the program, it was clear why (Massachusetts Councils on Aging) were specifically asked to apply,” she said.

Worcester County is one of the most financially unstable counties in the state, with 36 percent of seniors considered economically vulnerable, or one unexpected expense such as a medical emergency, away from financial catastrophe.

The number is significantly higher in Templeton where 20 percent of the population is ages 65 and older, with 42 percent toeing the line of financial disaster and 13 percent living below the federal poverty line.  Receiving SNAP benefits would greatly alleviate the financial burden on seniors by providing assistance with their food bills.

“There’s no reason seniors couldn’t participate in SNAP to receive this extra assistance with their food bill and still participate in the food pantry or other services like that,” Ms. Loveless said.

Through the grant, seniors would also gain access to a number of different programs though BenefitsCheckup — an online screening tool offered by the state which allows workers to enter information about clients to see what other assistance options are available.

“Although this grant is particularly for SNAP, it will allow us to touch base with people on a myriad of options,” said Ms. Loveless.

Ms. Loveless said the council will provide information during upcoming events and hold several information sessions to help educate those eligible. She plans to reach out to seniors during the council’s St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 13 at the Otter River Sportsman’s Club. A traditional lunch of corned beef and cabbage will be served and Irish folk singer Lindsay Straw will be performing.

SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, is the largest federal food assistance program, with over 47 million individuals and 23 million households enrolled for fiscal 2014, according to government’s Food and Nutritional Services Administration.

In 2014, the program distributed an average monthly benefit of $130 to each person eligible and $267 to every family. Participants generally receive their benefits through an Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, card, with their monthly allowance deposited directly into the card’s account. The cards function similarly to a debit card and can be used to purchase food at most grocery, big-box and convenience stores.

Ms. Loveless hopes to roll out the program as soon as possible and presented the Board of Selectmen with a contract Monday night for the new position. Those interested in learning more about the job or program can contact Templeton’s council. 978-632-4592