Posted in News & Updates
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) distributes fresh produce to more than 4,200 low income New Hampshire seniors each summer. The program runs from mid-July through mid-September.
SFMNP is a program of the NH Department of Health and Human Services and the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food.
Seniors who are enrolled through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) receive their produce at statewide distribution sites. Programs run by Southern New Hampshire Services in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties will receive fresh produce throughout this summer’s growing season.
This summer, the program runs from July 13 to September 11.
The Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program provides seniors with a fresh, locally grown bundle of fruits and vegetables grown by 15 New Hampshire farmers. The bundle has an $18 value and includes at least four different fruits and vegetables, ranging from apples to zucchini. Seniors also receive recipe ideas and tips on how to prepare and store fresh fruits and vegetables.
CSFP is administered by the Division of Public Health Services at the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and currently reaches seniors 60 years and older in New Hampshire. Income guidelines are up to $1,276 monthly for a senior living alone and $1,726 monthly for a family of two persons.
Throughout the year, CSFP provides a monthly food benefit that includes canned meats, fruits, vegetables, cereal, juice, pasta, rice, and cheese, plus recipe ideas on how to use the foods in healthy recipes.
“Public health nutrition programs like these provide nutrition services to low-income seniors who may have a difficult time finding affordable fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Dr. José Thier Montero, Director of Public Health at DHHS. “By providing these foods and education to seniors, we hope to prevent the onset of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.”
Seniors who meet the income guidelines are encouraged to call to learn how to apply for CSFP and SFMNP services in their community. Eligible seniors living in the Greater Manchester area and throughout all of Rockingham County can call Southern New Hampshire Services at (800) 256-9880 for information; those living in the Nashua area may call (877) 211-0723.
For more information, visit the NH DHHS website at: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/nhp/wic/csfp.htm.
SFMNP and CSFP are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Nutrition Service. Community Action Program Belknap Merrimack Counties, Inc., administers SFMNP under a contract with the NH Department of Health and Human Services. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Posted in News & Updates
SNHS Summer Food Service Program: Free meals for youth 18 and under!
Youth age 18 and under will enjoy free meals again this summer through the Summer Food Service Program coordinated by Southern New Hampshire Services in two New Hampshire counties.
Fourteen sites located in four cities or towns in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties will provide free meals to local youth. All meals are prepared following USDA guidelines.
Any child under the age of 18 may come to eat. There is no registration and identification is not required.
The meals are provided at no charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex age or disability. Meals must be consumed on site.
Meals are available at open site locations for the duration of school summer break or during structured summer programming. Breakfast, Lunch and Supper meals are available at the designated locations.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like Southern New Hampshire Services to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. Southern New Hampshire Services has been sponsoring the Summer Food Services Program for 13 years. SFSP helps to ensure that at-risk youth eat at least one nutritious meal each day when school lunch programs close for the summer. The program is vital to supporting mental and physical development so that children do not lose ground while out of school.
SFSP also employs local college age youth - many whom were SFSP participants in the past. The work experience teaches them valuable transferable employment skills and provide them with the opportunity to give back and stay connected to their community.
For more information contact: Henry Harris, Community Outreach Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
2015 Summer Food Service Program Information
Manchester
Free meals served Monday through Friday from Thursday, June 18 until Tuesday, September 1. Meals will not be served July 3rd.
Breakfast Sites
- Elmwood Gardens Apartments. 9:00-10:00am (83 Trahan St.)
Lunch Sites
- Elmwood Gardens Apartments. 12:15-1:15pm (83 Trahan St.)
- Hunt Memorial Pool. 1:30-2:30pm (297 Maple St.)
- Beech Hill Apartments. (120 Beech Hill Ave.)
Supper Sites
- Adventure Park. 4:30-5:30pm (324-300 Union St.)
- Kelly Falls Apartments. 4:45-5:15pm (463 Kimball St.)
- Beech Street School. 5:45-6:15pm (275 Beech St.)
- Sweeney Park. 6:30-7:00pm (132 Walker St.)
Nashua
Free meals served Monday through Friday from Tuesday, June 23 until Monday, August 31. Meals will not be served July 3rd.
Lunch Sites
- Bronstein Apartments. 1:15-1:45pm (41 Central St.)
- Centennial Pool 2:00-2:30pm (22 Sargents Ave.)
Derry
Free meals served Monday through Friday starting Thursday, June 18 through Tuesday, August 25. Meals will not be served July 3rd.
Supper Sites
- Fairways Apartments (RESIDENTS ONLY) 4:15-5:00pm (1 Forest Ridge Rd.)
- Franklin Village Apartments 5:15-5:45pm (4 Laraway Ct.)
- Hood Park 6:00-6:30pm (14 Rollins St.)
Portsmouth
Free meals served Monday through Friday from Monday, June 22 until Friday, August 28. Meals will not be served July 3rd.
Lunch Sites
- Green Leaf Recreation Center. 12:00-1:00pm (195 Greenleaf Ave.)
- Gosling Meadows Apartments. 12:00-1:00pm (Gosling Road)
USDA is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer
Posted in News & Updates
NASHUA – Technology offers a variety of ways to stay in touch with loved ones around the world. Facebook is one of the most popular – but can often be confusing to those new to the Internet, especially seniors.
Presented on Monday, July 13, the “Using Facebook to keep in touch with loved ones” workshop presented by Seniors Count-Nashua will provide information ways to use this popular on-line tool to connect with family and friends.
Seniors Count-Nashua is a program of Southern New Hampshire Services.
The free workshop begins at 1:00pm at the Nashua Senior Activity Center, 70 Temple Street, Nashua. Workshop presenter is Naomi Schoenfeld, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education at Rivier University.
Space is limited and advance registration for the workshop is required. Please call Beth Todgham, Seniors Count-Nashua facilitator for Southern New Hampshire Services at (603) 889-3440 x 132 for more information about the workshop.
Participants are invited to bring laptops or other electronic devices to the workshop to connect to their Facebook account during the workshop. Please note that NO access to electricity will be available so devices should be fully charged prior to the workshop. Those without Facebook accounts are invited to come 15 minutes early and Professor Schoenfeld will show how an account can be set up.
Workshop participants can come early to enjoy lunch offered by St. Joseph Community Services (Meals on Wheels) in the cafeteria at the Nashua Senior Activity Center. A $2 donation is requested for diners age 60 and over; the price is slightly higher for those under 60. Pre-registration for lunch is required. Call Steve, SJCS site manager, at 882-2106 to reserve your lunch. Lunch is served at 11:45am.
The workshop is part of a series of free programs offered at the Senior Activity Center by Seniors Count-Nashua. The workshops provide area residents with information on resources available in the community as they age. All programs have been filmed by and broadcast on Nashua’ Education Channel 99. Programs can also be viewed on-line at http://nashua.ezstream.com.
The ServiceLink Resource Center, Nashua Public Library, and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services-Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services provide additional support for the workshops.
Posted in News & Updates
NASHUA – Caregivers of older adults often struggle with understanding the logistics of decision-making, especially when older adults have diminished mental capacity.
Presented on Monday, June 8, the “Legal Issues: Who Makes the Decisions and When” workshop presented by Seniors Count-Nashua will address how to assist older adults in planning ahead for their care, and what legal documents are needed to do so.
Seniors Count-Nashua is a program of Southern New Hampshire Services.
The free workshop begins at 1:00pm at the Nashua Senior Activity Center, 70 Temple Street, Nashua. Workshop presenter is Bernie Siefert, LICSW, coordinator of older adult programs for NAMI New Hampshire.
Advance registration for the workshop is requested. Please call Beth Todgham, Seniors Count-Nashua facilitator for Southern New Hampshire Services at (603) 889-3440 x 132 for more information.
Workshop participants can come early to enjoy lunch offered by St. Joseph Community Services (Meals on Wheels) in the cafeteria at the Nashua Senior Activity Center. A $2 donation is requested for diners age 60 and over; the price is slightly higher for those under 60. Pre-registration for lunch is required. Call Steve, SJCS site manager, at 882-2106 to reserve your lunch. Lunch is served at 11:45am.
The workshop is part of a series of free programs offered at the Senior Activity Center by Seniors Count-Nashua. The workshops provide area residents with information on resources available in the community as they age. All programs have been filmed by and broadcast on Nashua’ Education Channel 99. Programs can also be viewed on-line at http://nashua.ezstream.com.
The ServiceLink Resource Center, Nashua Public Library, and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services-Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services provide additional support for the workshops.
Posted in News & Updates
NASHUA – The risk of developing dementia increases as one grows older. Symptoms of dementia can often be mistaken for other conditions, such as depression or delirium.
Presented on Monday, April 27, the “Understanding Dementia” workshop will help caregivers understand what dementia is, what signs to look for and where to seek help when a loved one has dementia.
Seniors Count-Nashua is a program of Southern New Hampshire Services.
The free workshop will begin at 1:00pm at the Nashua Senior Activity Center, 70 Temple Street, Nashua. Workshop presenter is Bernie Siefert, LICSW, coordinator of older adult programs for NAMI New Hampshire.
Advance registration for the workshop is requested. Please call Beth Todgham, Seniors Count-Nashua facilitator for Southern New Hampshire Services at (603) 889-3440 x 132 for more information.
The “Meeting Caregiver Needs” is the fourth in a series of six workshops being offered in partnership between Seniors Count-Nashua and the Nashua Senior Activity Center. Future workshops include Coping with Changing and Challenging Behaviors (Monday, May 18, 2015); and Legal Issues: Who Makes the Decisions and When (Monday, June 8, 2015).
Workshop participants can come early to enjoy lunch offered by St. Joseph Community Services (Meals on Wheels) in the cafeteria at the Nashua Senior Activity Center. A $2 donation is requested for diners age 60 and over; the price is slightly higher for those under 60. Pre-registration for lunch is required. Call Steve, SJCS site manager, at 882-2106 to reserve your lunch. Lunch is served at 11:45am.
The workshop is part of a series of free programs offered at the Senior Activity Center by Seniors Count-Nashua. The workshops provide area residents with information on resources available in the community as they age. All programs have been filmed by and broadcast on Nashua’ Education Channel 99. Programs can also be viewed on-line at http://nashua.ezstream.com.
The ServiceLink Resource Center, Nashua Public Library, and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services-Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services provide additional support for the workshops.
Posted in News & Updates
NASHUA – Dealing with multiple medical issues can be challenging and overwhelming for both the adult and their caregiver. The significant positive role caregivers play in the medical care of older adults is the subject of Seniors Count workshop scheduled for Monday, April 13 at the Nashua Senior Activity Center.
The free workshop begins at 1:00pm.
Workshop presenter Bernie Siefert, LICSW, will cover how to communicate effectively with medical professionals; making the most out of doctor visits; managing prescriptions; and recognizing and responding to signs of medication misuse and alcohol abuse in older adults.
The workshop will be of particular interest to those providing direct care to a relative or other loved one.
Seifert is the Coordinator of Older Adult Programs for NAMI New Hampshire.
The Senior Activity Center is located at 70 Temple St. in Nashua.
Advance registration for the workshop is requested. Please call Beth Todgham, Seniors Count-Nashua facilitator for Southern New Hampshire Services at (603) 889-3440 x 132 for more information.
The workshop is part of a “Side-by-Side” NAM NH series presented by Seniors Count-Nashua and the Nashua Senior Activity Center. Seniors Count is a program of Southern New Hampshire Services. Future workshop topics include: Understanding Dementia (Monday, April 27, 2015); Coping with Changing and Challenging Behaviors (Monday, May 18, 2015); and Legal Issues: Who Makes the Decisions and When (Monday, June 8, 2015). All workshops are free of charge and begin at 1:00pm.
Workshop participants can come early to enjoy lunch offered by St. Joseph Community Services (Meals on Wheels) in the cafeteria at the Nashua Senior Activity Center. A $2 donation is requested for diners age 60 and over; the price is slightly higher for those under 60. Pre-registration for lunch is required. Call Steve, SJCS site manager, at 882-2106 to reserve your lunch. Lunch is served at 11:45am.
The workshop is part of a series of free programs offered at the Senior Activity Center by Seniors Count-Nashua. The workshops provide area residents with information on resources available in the community as they age. All programs have been filmed by and broadcast on Nashua’ Education Channel 99. Programs can also be viewed on-line at http://nashua.ezstream.com.
The ServiceLink Resource Center, Nashua Public Library, and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services-Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services provide additional support for the workshops.
Posted in News & Updates
NASHUA – No age group is immune to mental health disorders. It is helpful for caregivers to understand common mental health issues and how to get help for the older adult when needed. Ways to learn what symptoms to look for in older adults, as well as risk factors to be aware of and types of treatment programs available to assist older adults are the topics of discussion at an upcoming workshop scheduled for Monday, March 30 at the Nashua Senior Activity Center. The free workshop begins at 1:00pm.
Workshop presenter Bernie Siefert, LICSW, will cover the symptoms of depression and anxiety and how these differ from dementia; understanding why treatment for depression and anxiety is important; recognizing the warning signs and risk factors for suicide and what to do if an older adult is showing suicidal tendencies.
The workshop will be of particular interest to those providing direct care to a relative or other loved one.
Seifert is the Coordinator of Older Adult Programs for NAMI New Hampshire..
The Senior Activity Center is located at 70 Temple St. in Nashua.
Advance registration for the workshop is requested. Please call Beth Todgham, Seniors Count-Nashua facilitator for Southern New Hampshire Services at (603) 889-3440 x 132 for more information.
The workshop is part of a “Side-by-Side” NAM NH series presented by Seniors Count-Nashua and the Nashua Senior Activity Center. Seniors Count is a program of Southern New Hampshire Services. Future workshop topics include: Medical Care: Keeping it all Straight (Monday, April 13, 2015); Understanding Dementia (Monday, April 27, 2015); Coping with Changing and Challenging Behaviors (Monday, May 18, 2015); and Legal Issues: Who Makes the Decisions and When (Monday, June 8, 2015). All workshops are free of charge and begin at 1:00pm.
Workshop participants can come early to enjoy lunch offered by St. Joseph Community Services (Meals on Wheels) in the cafeteria at the Nashua Senior Activity Center. A $2 donation is requested for diners age 60 and over; the price is slightly higher for those under 60. Pre-registration for lunch is required. Call Steve, SJCS site manager, at 882-2106 to reserve your lunch. Lunch is served at 11:45am.
The workshop is part of a series of free programs offered at the Senior Activity Center by Seniors Count-Nashua. The workshops provide area residents with information on resources available in the community as they age. All programs have been filmed by and broadcast on Nashua’ Education Channel 99. Programs can also be viewed on-line at http://nashua.ezstream.com.
The ServiceLink Resource Center, Nashua Public Library, and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services-Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services provide additional support for the workshops.
Posted in News & Updates
The Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) continues to take applications for the winter season that runs through April 30, 2015.
All qualified households can apply for assistance.
“We are urging people to call now,” said Ryan Clouthier, Energy Director for Southern New Hampshire Services. “Don’t wait until you are in a crisis. Don’t put your family through that. Don’t put yourself through that.”
An in-person interview is required of all applicants. Appointments are being scheduled now at Outreach Offices located in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties. Those interested in applying for fuel assistance are encouraged to call to schedule an appointment now.
Information on program qualifications and documentation needed to complete the application process will be provided when the appointment is scheduled.
Hillsborough County offices are open Monday through Friday in Manchester, Nashua and Peterborough. Offices in Milford and Hillsborough are open on scheduled days.
Rockingham County offices are located in Derry, Portsmouth, Raymond, Salem and Seabrook and are open Monday through Friday.
The program officially opened on December 1, 2014. Applications for assistance will continue to be taken for anyone who wishes to apply for the program after the program starts and through its end in April, 2015.
Fuel assistance benefits are a grant and do not need to be repaid. The benefits are not meant to pay for the entire winter heating bill but rather are there to help the client get through the winter. Benefits range from $75 to $1125 per season. The benefit amount is based on household income and annual heating costs.
Clients whose heat is included in the rent may have their benefit sent to the landlord as a rental payment on the client’s behalf if their rent is not subsidized.
The Fuel Assistance Program in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties is managed by Southern New Hampshire Services. Additional information, including household income requirements, can be found on the Southern New Hampshire Services website at http://www.snhs.org/programs/energy-programs/low-income-home-energy/ and on the Rockingham Community Action website at http://www.rcaction.org/index.php?page=fuel-assistance.
