February could bring added strain for households across Gary and Northwest Indiana as new federal food assistance rules take effect.
Starting Feb. 1, expanded work requirements under federal law now apply to some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, including adults ages 55 to 64 and parents without children younger than 14. The changes also repeal long-standing work exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and young adults aging out of foster care.
To continue receiving benefits, affected recipients must now work, volunteer, or participate in a job training program for at least 80 hours per month.
In Gary, nearly 2 in 5 residents, or about 38%, rely on SNAP benefits.
Valerie Lee, president of Gary’s Senior Citizens Friendship Club, said she currently isn’t worried about the new regulations affecting many of the participants in the group but understands that those under 65 could be a bit more worried.
“I don’t think it’s going to affect senior citizens that much … at least I hope it doesn’t,” Lee said. But she noted that many residents had already seen their benefits reduced, making the new requirements another layer of stress for households trying to stay afloat.
Even as these new regulations take effect, local organizations will continue providing food assistance. Below is the February schedule for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana’s Mobile Market and other food distributions where residents can receive free groceries.
Wednesday, Feb. 4
St. Mark AME Zion Church
4200 Alder St., East Chicago
11 a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 5
Faith Bible Church
15327 Cline Ave., Lowell
10 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 6
219 Health Network
13963 Morse St., Cedar Lake
1 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.
Sunday, Feb. 8
Prayer Tower Fellowship Church
4595 W. 29th Ave., Gary
Noon to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Valparaiso Family YMCA
1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, Valparaiso
1 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Unity Outreach Ministries
1441 Delaware St., Gary
Noon
Thursday, Feb. 12
Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary
8 a.m.
Ridge United Methodist Church
8607 Columbia Ave., Munster
1 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13
Our Lady of Grace Church
3025 Highway Ave., Highland
10 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Haven Hollow Park
330 W. 700 N., Valparaiso
Noon
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Carter Memorial CME Church
635 W 49th Ave., Gary
1 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 19
Portage High School, Door G
6270 U.S. 6, Portage
4 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 20
Kouts Christian Church
208 S. Poland Ave., Kouts
10 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Prayer Tower Fellowship Church
4595 W. 29th Ave., Gary
Noon to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24
TCA Health
5500 Hohman Ave., Hammond
10 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
The Cross Church
3616 Elm St., East Chicago
2 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 26
Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary
8 a.m.
St. Teresa of Avila
1604 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso
Noon
Friday, Feb. 27
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
4 p.m.
