The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides fresh fruit and vegetables to lower-income seniors with the goal of im-proving their health and nutritional status. It also supports local farming by increasing the use of farmers markets and roadside stands.

You must be 55 years of age or older (for Native American) and meet the income limit. For 1 person the income limit is $1669.63 per month and for 2 people it is $2246 per month.

Please call Peggy Tonan , Suquamish Social Worker, at 394-8425 for the necessary paper-work to sign up. We will deliver the produce to your door if you meet the eligibility re-quirements. The produce is delivered every two weeks for a month or two. Vouchers are also available.
 

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By Denise Mann

"Most seniors gamble safely, but we know that a certain percentage will develop gambling problems in any age group, and the greater numbers of senior citizens who participate in gambling mean that there are greater numbers who are developing problems," says Pat Fowler, executive director of the Florida Counsel on Compulsive Gambling.

"Certain circumstances that are present among this age group, but not younger gamblers, may make them a bit more vulnerable," she says. For example, seniors often have a tremendous amount of time on their hands after retirement and have limited options in how to fill it, Fowler says. In Florida, where many snowbirds go to retire, the gambling options are almost limitless. There's bingo of every stripe -- from the corner church to high-stakes games. There's jai alai, dog and horse racing, lucrative lotteries, 26 floating casinos that deport twice daily and drop anchor in international water, and six Indian reservations that provide machine gambling, card games, and more.

Seniors thought to be at special risk include those who have sustained recent or cumulative losses of significant others, who have undergone a loss of status, who have undiagnosed depression, and those who have always gambled. But for the majority of seniors who develop problems, there aren't clear warning signs that trouble is looming.

"They have lived an exemplary life, worked hard, taken care of their family, educated their children, and did all the right things only to find themselves after retirement involved in an activity they can't control," Fowler says. "Many are looking for an escape from all sorts of losses in their lives, whether loss of a spouse, a profession (after retirement), their health, their physical abilities, their physical beauty. Gambling is one activity they can engage in regardless of physical problems. There aren't many other activities that are stimulating and exciting that they can do; gambling is one of the few left," she says. "The danger is for those who lose control over gambling, because the impact that it has on their life is different than for their younger counterparts," Fowler says. "They can't start a new profession or build a new nest egg. It's just not a possibility for most of these folks, so the impact is permanent." Still the situation is not hopeless, she says. "You may not be able to recoup the financial loss, but you certainly can recuperate or recover your life."

For more information please call Sarah Sense-Wilson@ (360) 394-8642