MAHONING VALLEY Food-stamp eligibility awareness campaign

YOUNGSTOWN -- Second Harvest Foodbank of the Mahoning Valley is participating in a statewide food stamp awareness effort in conjunction with the state's egg industry.
Many families served by food bank member charities appear to be eligible for food stamps based on their income levels, but aren't receiving the stamps, said Michael Iberis, food bank executive director.
Statewide, 90 percent of households using food pantries report incomes at or below the poverty level, but only one third of them receive food stamps, according to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks.
To increase awareness, the Mahoning Valley food bank and others in Ohio are now receiving egg cartons with labels showing income eligibility requirements and contact information for the food stamp program.
The food bank association has been working with Ohio's egg industry for nearly a year to provide eggs to food banks through the Ohio Agricultural Surplus Production Alliance. To date, more than 600,000 dozen eggs have been distributed to food banks across the state, including almost 30,000 dozen provided to the Second Harvest Foodbank of the Mahoning Valley.