July welcomes new changes and food insecurity problems, as benefits for those receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program changed this month.
Starting July 1, Indiana will tighten SNAP eligibility through new verification requirements, including limiting how much money and assets a family can have to qualify for the program. In addition, the state is ending easier-to-qualify benefits, determining which household income is counted, and requiring able-bodied adults between 18 and 64 without dependents and other long-standing exemptions to work, volunteer, or participate in a job training program for at least 80 hours per month to continue to receive benefits.
Since last year, 10% of families and individuals receiving SNAP benefits have had their benefits cut, and that number is expected to rise. In Gary, where nearly 40% of residents rely on those benefits, organizations are combating growing concerns about food insecurity by hosting food distributions across the region.
Below is a list of food distributions scheduled throughout July.
Tuesday, July 7
St. Helen Church
302 N. Madison St., Hebron
11 a.m.
Wednesday, July 8
Long Fellow New Tech Elementary School
4500 Calhoun St., Gary
11 a.m.
Thursday, July 9
Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary
8 a.m.
Griffith Lutheran Church
1000 N. Broad St., Griffith
4 p.m.
Friday, July 10
Our Lady of Grace Church
3025 Highway Ave., Highland
10 a.m.
V1 Church
6322 Portage Ave., Portage
4 p.m.
Saturday, July 11
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.
Tuesday, July 14
Valparaiso Family YMCA
1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, Valparaiso
1 p.m.
Wednesday, July 15
Living Hope Church
9000 W. Taft St., Merrillville
3 p.m.
Thursday, July 16
The Gospel Truth Apostolic Ministry
5829 W. 15th Ave., Gary
12:30 p.m.
Portage High School
6450 U.S. 6, Door G, Portage
4 p.m.
Friday, July 17
Kouts Christian Church
208 S. Poland Ave., Kouts
10 a.m.
Saturday, July 18
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
9 a.m.
Tuesday, July 21
Chesterton United Methodist Church
434 S. Second St., Chesterton
1 p.m.
Wednesday, July 22
TCA Health
5500 Hohman Ave., Hammond
10 a.m.
Thursday, July 23
Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary
8 a.m.
Upper Room Church
2407 West Taft St., Gary
4 p.m.
Friday, July 24
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville
4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28
First Presbyterian Church of Merrillville
7898 W. Taft St., Merrillville
1 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29
The Cross Church
3616 Elm St., East Chicago
2 p.m.
Thursday, July 30
St. Teresa of Avila
1604 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso
Noon
Friday, July 31
Lowell Church Of Christ
299 N. Burr St., Lowell
Noon
