On top of all the damage Hurricane Irma left behind, many residents are still feeling the pain from loss of income and loss of fresh foods.
- New program provides EBT card for use at grocery stores
- To qualify, applicants must live in FEMA-declared disaster area county
- Applicants must also show they've suffered loss
The Florida Department of Children and Families has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help, implementing the “Food for Florida Disaster Food Assistance Program”
Residents lined up outside the Seminole Recreation Center on Sept. 27 in Pinellas County as they registered for the program's short-term financial assistance.
To qualify, applicants must live in a county that has been declared a disaster area by FEMA, and must prove they have suffered a loss such as home damage, work, income or food due to the hurricane.
Approved applicants will then be given an EBT card that can be used at any USDA approved grocery store.
"It's really about the federal government, USDA and the state working together to make sure families don't have unnecessary stress," Robin Bailey with USDA said.
It is a showing of support neighbors like Tressa Geathers said they’re grateful for.
"This is wonderful," said Geathers. "It's a blessing. I would like to help the people of Puerto Rico, too, because they're doing a lot worse, but we need it also. We were without lights for six, seven, maybe more days."
The “Food for Florida Disaster Food Assistance Program” for Pinellas, Citrus, Lake and Sumter counties runs through Oct. 2. There will be additional locations to apply added in counties across the state soon. For more information, visit: http://www.myflfamilies.com/disaster.