Help for Seniors

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (C.S.F.P.)
and Healthy Options Program for the Elderly (H.O.P.E.)

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (C.S.F.P.) (60+)

What assistance will I receive?

Every month, each C.S.F.P. participant receives a free box of 25 to 30 pounds of groceries. Exact contents vary, but every box includes cereals, juices, proteins, peanut butter or dry beans, milk, grains, canned fruits and vegetables, and 2 pounds of cheese.

Who is eligible for C.S.F.P.?

Seniors must be at least 60 years old and meet the income guidelines below to qualify for C.S.F.P. Each qualifying senior in a household can sign up separately to get a box.

Click here to see the income eligibility guidelines and accepted forms of identification.

The following items do not count toward your household income when determining eligibility for C.S.F.P.:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (S.N.A.P.) benefits (formerly food stamps)
  • Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance
  • National Flood Insurance Program payments
  • Medicare Prescription Drug Card subsidy
  • Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund payments authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for certain veterans, or for surviving spouses of veterans, who served in the military of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines during World War II
  • Lump sums or periodic payments from the Cobell settlement

Where is C.S.F.P. available?

Find Senior Programs distributions near you using the Find Food Now tool and the "Senior Programs" filter. Click on the organization's name to see if they offer H.O.P.E. or C.S.F.P. Be sure to verify the distribution day and time on the CSFP calendar before going.

How do I sign up?

At sites with walk-up or drive-through delivery, simply show up at the distribution. At select sites that offer home delivery, you should contact the CTFB at distributionprograms@centraltexasfoodbank.org to make an appointment to sign up for the program.

When you go to a distribution to sign up for C.S.F.P., you will need to bring documentation that proves your name and age. Click here to see the accepted forms of identification.

If you will not be loading your C.S.F.P. box directly into a vehicle, we recommend that you bring a handcart to help you carry the 30-pound box.

If you are disabled and cannot attend a distribution in person to sign up, you can have a proxy sign up on your behalf. Scroll down to “Can someone else pick up my food for me”

Do you offer C.S.F.P. delivery for homebound seniors?

We are able to offer C.S.F.P. delivery only at select sites. Please contact the Central Texas Food Bank to check where delivery is available.

Can someone else pick up my box for me?

Yes! C.S.F.P. participants may choose to designate one or more proxies when they sign up for C.S.F.P. A proxy is someone who has permission to pick up a C.S.F.P. box on the participant’s behalf when they are not able to pick up the box in person. We encourage seniors who are not able to pick up boxes themselves to have family members, friends, or neighbors act as their proxies and attend distributions on their behalf.

If you are a current C.S.F.P. participant who would like to add a new proxy, please bring a handwritten note to your next distribution. The note should include your name, the name of your proxy, a statement that you are appointing this person to be your proxy, your signature, and the date.

If you are hoping to pick up food on behalf of a senior who is not yet a C.S.F.P. participant, you can sign them up for the program on their behalf by providing a signed note and a copy of one of the accepted forms of identification for C.S.F.P. Make sure the signed note includes their name, your name, a statement that the senior is appointing you to be their proxy, their signature, and the date.

Questions?

Call (855) 366-3401.


Healthy Options Program for the Elderly (H.O.P.E.) (55+)

What assistance will I receive?

Every month, each H.O.P.E. participant can pick up 15 to 20 pounds of nonperishable groceries. Although exact contents vary, H.O.P.E. always includes canned fish or meat, milk, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, beans, pasta, and pasta sauce.

Who is eligible for H.O.P.E.?

You must be at least 55 years old and need food assistance to be eligible for H.O.P.E. Each qualifying senior in a household can sign up separately to get a H.O.P.E. package. Click here to view the eligibility criteria.

Where is H.O.P.E. available?

Find Senior Programs distributions near you using the Find Food Now tool and the "Senior Programs" filter. Click on the organization's name to see if they offer H.O.P.E. or C.S.F.P. Be sure to verify the distribution day and time on the HOPE calendar before going.

How do I sign up?

Simply choose the H.O.P.E. site that is most convenient for you and show up at their next distribution. You will NOT need ID or proof of income to sign up for H.O.P.E., although some H.O.P.E. partner sites offer other services that would require ID (e.g. utility assistance).

We strongly recommend that you bring your own bags to carry your groceries, as most H.O.P.E. sites are not able to provide bags. A handcart may also be helpful if you have one.

If you are disabled and cannot attend a distribution in person to sign up, you can have a proxy sign up on your behalf. Scroll down to “Can someone else pick up my food for me?”

Do you offer delivery for homebound seniors?

Several H.O.P.E. sites offer delivery. Please contact the Central Texas Food Bank to check where delivery is available.

Can someone else pick up my food for me?

Yes! H.O.P.E. participants may choose to designate one or more proxies when they sign up for H.O.P.E. A proxy is someone who has permission to pick up H.O.P.E. on the participant’s behalf when they are not able to pick up the food in person. We encourage seniors who are not able to pick up H.O.P.E. themselves to have family members, friends, or neighbors act as their proxies and attend distributions on their behalf.

If you are a current H.O.P.E. participant who would like to add a new proxy, please bring a handwritten note to your next distribution. The note should include your name, the name of your proxy, a statement that you are appointing this person to be your proxy, your signature, and the date.

If you are hoping to pick up food on behalf of a senior who is not yet a H.O.P.E. participant, you can sign them up for the program on their behalf by providing a signed note that includes their name, your name, a statement that the senior is appointing you to be their proxy, their signature, and the date.

Questions? We're here to help!

Call (855) 366-3401.