FOOD 

Food and Household Items  The township may provide assistance in obtaining food, household supplies and personal hygiene items for qualified applicants from the township resource center. The amount and description of food, household supplies and personal hygiene items will be made available to the household as outline in Attachment 4 of the township guidelines.  Also, the trustee shall refer any individual or household before or immediately upon their application for food relief to the appropriate agency in charge of any federal food allotment program.

Food Limitations  It shall be unlawful for the township to supply food purchased out of the township assistance fund for an applicant or a household that is eligible to participate in the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) food assistance program. The township may supply food for an eligible EFT applicant or household only under any of the following conditions:   (IC 12-20-16-6) 

1. During the interim when an applicant or a household is awaiting a determination of eligibility from the food stamp office and ending not later than five days after the day the applicant or household becomes eligible to participate in the food stamp program. 

2. Upon loss of the food supply through unavoidable spoilage, fire or other act(s) of nature. 

3. Upon a written statement from a physician indicating that one or more members of the household needs a special diet, the cost of which is greater than can be purchased with the household's allotment of food stamps.  An expenditure of township assistance funds, for compliance with this section, should not occur until later in the monthly food stamp issuance cycle. 

4. When the trustee determines that a household including a one-member household is in need of supplementary food assistance, provided, however, that the household has participated in the food stamp program to the fullest extent allowable and that such supplementary food assistance is given solely upon the circumstances in each individual case. 

5. Households reporting the theft of food stamps must first file a "theft report" with the local police department before any assistance will be given. Habitually reporting the theft or loss of food stamps and\or tax supported cash awards will result in a denial.