The District 5 Area Agency on Aging in Mansfield has been awarded a two-year $73,350 USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP Outreach Grant to provide food assistance to low income seniors in Richland County.

Area Agency on Aging Community Services Supervisor Theresa Cook told the Richland County Commissioners Tuesday the agency is partnering with Richland County Job and Family and Services and five area grocery stores to set up booths to help enroll eligible seniors into the program. 

The stores include Geyer's Fresh Food Market in Mansfield and Lexington, Cornell's IGA in Shelby, Stoodt's Market in Bellville and Hitchman's Market in Butler.

Cook said outreach workers will be stationed at the stores starting in September. The volunteers will conduct a pre-screening and assist seniors completing the application for enrollment into SNAP. Richland County Job and Family Services will process the application.

For more information contact the Area Agency on Aging at 419-522-5612.

In other business, the commissioners approved a contract with Premier Health Care Services for jail medical services. The $360,000 contract is effective October 1. The commissioners also approved a $239,000 annual food contract with Gordon Food Service.