Emergency Food Boxes

On the Emergency Food Box records, it has been noticed that from time-to-time, we have been providing Emergency Boxes for Clients that should register as SMUM Clients!

The policy for serving clients from outside of our zip code areas comes from our primary food provider, the Second Harvest Food Bank.  In order for us to be able to continue serving our clients, it is important to comply with their policies. 

Policy for serving Clients for our Emergency Food Program:

STEP 1 - Review eligibility of the Client:    

a. The client must have Photo ID w/Date of Birth.

b. Client MUST NOT reside within the eight (8) zip codes that we serve and must show proof of current zip code.

c. If the Client has ID and DOES reside in our zip code areas then register the Client using the New Client registration form.

SMUM accepts photo IDs from other nations, e.g. Mexico, Vietnam.

d.  If the client does not have a photo ID, ask that they take steps to get an ID, then return and complete the registration process.   SMUM can provide limited financial assistance for obtaining  State of California ID  (can be Driver's License or ID-only).    An emergency box can be issued to someone in our service area only in exceptional circumstances (see below).

e.  If the client does not reside within the zip codes that we serve, continue to Step 2.

STEP 2 - Review the Emergency Food Box record (Small White Notebook): 

a. The Client may NOT receive a Food Package if the Client is listed  in the Emergency Food Box record within the past 30 days.

b. If the Client does not appear in the record within the previous 30 days, you may proceed.

STEP 3 - Place Client information in the Emergency Food Box Record (available at Desk).

a.       Record the date of service.

b.       Using the Client’s ID, carefully and legibly write the Client’s name and Date of Birth (DOB).

c.       Place the number of members in the Client’s family (Spouse and Children ONLY).

d.       If the Client needs food for 4 (FOUR or MORE) family members, proper ID’s for children are required (e.g. Immunization record, Birth Certificate, Medi-CAL/Medical card, any document with Child’s name and DOB).

STEP 4 - Register the client on the USDA intake sheet and have them sign. 

a. Place a red-star rubber stamp in the "Emergency Food" column.

STEP 5 - Fill out a food box slip, and put a red-star rubber stamp in the box where the client's SMUM Client ID number would normally be placed.  Mark it for USDA.

STEP 6 - Hand the client a Second Harvest Food Bank Food Connection card.       

a.  Explain to the client that they should call the number on the card in order to find out which agency serves their zip code area.

Emergency Boxes for Clients in our Service Area:

Encourage the client to get a State of California ID.  If they get and ID and get registered, they are eligible for food again in 15 days.  Otherwise, if we issue an emergency box, the client cannot receive a food distribution again for 30 days.  The DMV is nearby, and financial assistance for an ID is available.

If we meet a Client that does not have proper ID with birth date and/or address with zip code then ask them if they have any food.

If the Client responds that they do not have any food, then you may serve them an emergency box of food (once per month only).

Please check the Client directory for emergency boxes for the previous month (in the desk). If the Client is not in the directory, check the date they were last served an emergency box of food. We are authorized to serve an emergency box of food once every month (31 calendar days).

Follow Steps 3-5 above, then ask the client to bring in documents with Name, birth date and verification of zip code so that we may get them registered properly.

Purpose of Policy:

Recently (February 2004), about 75% of all Clients that were recorded and served an emergency food box reside in one of the eight zip codes that we serve. We are attempting to register ALL eligible Clients that are within the areas that we serve. This policy protects our Clients as follows:

1.           Non-Clients who receive an Emergency Food Box must wait 30 (Thirty) days to receive another food box.

2.           Clients that are in our zip code areas may receive a food box every 15 days.

3.            People that are registered as Clients receive other SMUM program benefits/services that are unavailable to Non-Clients.

4.           Clients may be eligible for other programs within our community that they would not be eligible for if they were not our Clients (this includes some referrals to other service agencies)

5.           Santa Maria may be a valuable advocate in the community for the benefit of our Clients.

For any questions, please contact the director.