By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Two disaster food programs are offering help to people who are struggling because of the economic effects of shutdowns in response to an outbreak of COVID-19.

Food boxes for residents who have lost jobs

Disaster food boxes for county residents who have lost jobs will be distributed at several locations. There are no income guidelines to receive a box, and the boxes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Distributions will be curbside pickup only.

The schedule for Wednesday is: Burns Community Center in the morning; 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Peabody Senior Center; 11:30 a.m. at Pilsen Community Center; 3 to 4 p.m. at Tampa Senior Center; and 4 to 6 p.m. at Ramona Community Center.

Boxes will be given out from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Florence Methodist Church.

The Marion and Durham communities’ pick-up will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Marion Senior Center.

Lehigh and Hillsboro community distribution will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Main Street Ministries.

Food assistance benefits increased

Families who receive food assistance through the Department for Children and Families will get two months of emergency assistance that boosts their benefit amount to the maximum monthly benefit for their family size.

The maximum monthly benefit for a family of four is $646.

“We know these additional funds will allow families to purchase more essential groceries for their family while also reducing their visits to grocery stores during this time of social distancing,” DCF secretary Laura Howard said.

The March emergency benefit will begin showing up on EBT cards immediately and the April emergency assistance will show up on the cards in May.

The extra assistance is provided through the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Anyone interested in applying for food assistance can visit the DCF website.