QUESTION: In the past year, I have attended several meetings about the proposed Conejo Valley Village program. Can you provide any information about where that project stands?
ANSWER: Yes, I can. I have just been given information about the next meeting, which will be a membership and volunteering event scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Monday at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks.
At this informal, drop-in event, you can learn more about Conejo Valley Village and get any questions answered. You can also receive assistance with completing membership or volunteer application forms.
Conejo Valley Village is based on the “Village-to-Village” model, in which a self-supporting, membership-focused, nonprofit, grassroots organization consolidates and coordinates services and activities for the unique needs of its members with a neighbors-helping-neighbors philosophy.
Conejo Valley joins more than 350 communities in the United States who have launched or are developing their own villages, and Conejo Valley will be the first in Ventura County to assist seniors. Residents living in the initial service area of Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village and Oak Park will be able to join Conejo Valley Village.
Reservations for this event are recommended but not required. Reservations can be made at http://www.conejovalleyvillage.org.
For more information about the “Village to Village” model visit http://www.vtnetwork.org. For more information about Conejo Valley Village, visit www.conejovalleyvillage.org or call Nancy Healey at 231-5147.
QUESTION: I understand FOOD Share is offering a new assistance program. Can you provide any details?
ANSWER: The new FOOD Share program, Community Supplemental Food Program, was started in February will provide eligible seniors with Senior Kits.
Senior Kits are free boxes of food for qualifying seniors. Each box weighs 25 to 30 pounds and contains canned fruits and vegetables, juices, canned meat and fish, beans or peanut butter, cheese, shelf-stable milk, pasta or rice and cereal or oats.
These boxes cannot be delivered to individual homes but will be delivered to selected locations, possibly senior centers, in your community. Each applicant will be responsible for finding someone to pick up his or her box.
To be eligible for this program, you must be age 60 or older, be a resident of Ventura County and meet the federal income guides. The senior income guidelines are: annual income of $15,444 or less for a family of one; annual income of $20,826 or less for a family of two; and for larger families, add $5,408 for each additional person.
Applicants for the program must be present for their first distribution to register and then once a year for recertification.
On that first distribution, applicants must bring a photo ID with date of birth and address and a completed Supplemental Food Program Participant Application.
To determine the closest delivery place to your home and for more information, call your local senior center.
Happenings
March 14, 9-11 a.m.: FOOD Share distribution of Senior Kits at Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. Fliers and applications are available at the center. For more information, call 381-2744.
March 15, 1:30-3 p.m.: “How to Avoid Money Scams, Fraud and Identity Theft in 2017” seminar at Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive in Westlake Village. For information, call 495-6250.
March 23, 1:30-3 p.m.: “The 4 Federal Programs You Should Understand” seminar at Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. For reservations, call 381-2744.
March 28, 5:30-7 p.m.: “Consider the Conversation” seminar at Senior Concerns Day Care Center, 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks. For reservations, call 497-0189.
