There have been a lot of commercials on TV directed at Medicare recipients. Our open enrollment is going on right now. This is the first time ever I can remember commercials from insurance companies as well as Medicare itself inviting people to call and get assistance figuring out which program is best for them. The insurance companies, of course, are pitching themselves. One that intrigued me is a company called Highmark, which claimed to have vision and dental coverage.
I looked all over for information about Highmark and looked through the Medicare book we were sent. There's nothing about Highmark so I called Medicare. The first thing I wanted to know was how they could claim to have vision and dental when my company claimed no one could offer it. Well, it turns out there are categories of insurance. It's all very confusing and you really do need someone helping you figure it all out.
I told the lady we needed dental and vision and she found two companies in our area that can give us that coverage. Highmark, unfortunately, is not in our area. Anyway, she is sending out all the information so we can decide whether we want to switch or not. It's going to depend on the premium, co-pays, and what doctors participate with the plans. I'm so hoping that one of these plans will fit our needs!
A very nice thing happened just now. TB was interested in participating in a craft show at his mother's senior development complex. He wanted to bring his projects over and get exposure and possibly some orders. Well, unfortunately, this was when his tooth needed to be taken care of and we just did not have the $25 fee for a table. The lady running the event just called because someone else had to bow out and instead of getting a refund, just said to keep the fee. The lady thought of TB and called to ask if he'd be interested in that table. Boy howdy! Now he is going to get busy making holiday items. The craft show is Nov. 12.
From checking around, I found out the college Kristin goes to has a health services office that treats all kinds of issues. There's a nurse practitioner there that can prescribe medications for illnesses and other issues. That would be a big help for Kristin, whose college health insurance policy covers up to $5,000. That can go real quick in some cases.
As for other forms of assistance, we don't qualify because our income is just over the limit. The programs (like heat assistance) are there for the very needy and it's a good thing they are. It's tough for us because we sure could use the help but don't qualify. So we try to find programs and places like Angel Food Ministries (which is now closed) or food pantries. There is such a demand and need for food pantries!
I have a feeling we'll have to turn the heat on this weekend. It's supposed to snow on Saturday! Snow before Halloween!
Showing posts with label Angel Food Ministries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Angel Food Ministries. Show all posts
Friday, October 28
Saturday, March 1
Saturday Stuff
Do you need a good laugh? Check out my husband's blog, The Man's Side, for a hilarious look at colonoscopies--his own. If the idea grosses you out, skip it...but if you have a sense of humor about these things I think you will laugh your head off.
Today is Michele's birthday. She is 32. Happy birthday, Michele! I remember when I was 32. That was over 20 years ago!!!! It doesn't seem possible it was 20 years ago but I have the adult son strolling around to prove it!
Linda's birthday is Monday but if things keep going they way they are now, we probably won't see her until Tuesday. She doesn't like to tell us where she's going or where she's staying because it's none of our business. She's going to be 27. When I was 27, I had my own place and didn't have to worry about keeping anyone informed of my whereabouts or what to do with my child if I was away...well, I didn't have any kids at 27.
This morning, we went to pick up our monthly purchase of food from Angel Food Ministries. This is a non-profit blessing from wonderful volunteers and programs like this are a godsend to those of us who are struggling but don't qualify (yet) for food stamps. We learned about the program in December. Little T's school sent home a letter to families participating in the reduced lunch program about Angel Food coming to St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Pemberton.
We were struggling then. The Christmas holidays were approaching fast and TB and I had just about run through our savings. The kids were helping but we were just barely making it. Getting on board with the program has cut our entire food bill by at least a third and possibly more. We just need to buy vegetables, fresh fruit, bread, dairy and other essentials to supplement Angel Food.
The first month we picked up food, there was no line. We were in and out in just a few moments. The second month was just about the same although there were a half dozen other people there. This month, here is what we saw:
Here's the end of the line! One of the volunteers told us that there were almost 200 families participating this month, by far the largest number ever!
The line looks long but actually the volunteers did a great job of moving us right along. Some logistical problems remain. There's just one main door in and out and it's pretty clear that it's better to have an entrance and an exit for the people. I'm sure the program will continue to grow and grow. There really is a crying need for it in our area.
For $118, this is what we bought for the month:
2.5 lbs sirloin strip steaks
4 lbs Salisbury Steak dinner entrees
4 lbs split chicken breasts
4 lbs breaded chicken breast filets
3 lbs meaty beef ribs
3 lbs pork chops
24 oz. Philly steak portions
24 oz. jar of peanut butter
8 oz. chicken noodle soup
18 oz. frosted corn flakes
2-16 oz. frozen corn
2-16 oz. frozen carrots
4 lbs onions
4 lbs potatoes
pumpkin pie
2 lbs black eyed peas
blueberry muffin mix
3 lbs rib eye steaks
3 lbs New York strip steaks
4 lbs hamburger
3 lbs mild Italian sausage
4 lbs frying chicken
4 lbs chicken tenders
4 lbs chicken wings
4 lbs chicken breasts--quick frozen, grilled
4 chicken breast chunks
Not too shabby! This will feed the 7 of us all this month. All I will need to buy extra is corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day!
I enjoyed volunteering at the restaurant for the homeless in Laurel, Maryland, called Elizabeth House so it's no surprise that I was calling up the director of the Angel Food program at St. Mark's. I want to give back to the community. I strongly believe in that concept. Tony (the gentleman in charge) was happy to hear from me...and he invited me (and TB if he wants to) to attend church. I'm going.
Today is Michele's birthday. She is 32. Happy birthday, Michele! I remember when I was 32. That was over 20 years ago!!!! It doesn't seem possible it was 20 years ago but I have the adult son strolling around to prove it!
Linda's birthday is Monday but if things keep going they way they are now, we probably won't see her until Tuesday. She doesn't like to tell us where she's going or where she's staying because it's none of our business. She's going to be 27. When I was 27, I had my own place and didn't have to worry about keeping anyone informed of my whereabouts or what to do with my child if I was away...well, I didn't have any kids at 27.
This morning, we went to pick up our monthly purchase of food from Angel Food Ministries. This is a non-profit blessing from wonderful volunteers and programs like this are a godsend to those of us who are struggling but don't qualify (yet) for food stamps. We learned about the program in December. Little T's school sent home a letter to families participating in the reduced lunch program about Angel Food coming to St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Pemberton.
We were struggling then. The Christmas holidays were approaching fast and TB and I had just about run through our savings. The kids were helping but we were just barely making it. Getting on board with the program has cut our entire food bill by at least a third and possibly more. We just need to buy vegetables, fresh fruit, bread, dairy and other essentials to supplement Angel Food.
The first month we picked up food, there was no line. We were in and out in just a few moments. The second month was just about the same although there were a half dozen other people there. This month, here is what we saw:
Here's the end of the line! One of the volunteers told us that there were almost 200 families participating this month, by far the largest number ever!
The line looks long but actually the volunteers did a great job of moving us right along. Some logistical problems remain. There's just one main door in and out and it's pretty clear that it's better to have an entrance and an exit for the people. I'm sure the program will continue to grow and grow. There really is a crying need for it in our area.
For $118, this is what we bought for the month:
2.5 lbs sirloin strip steaks
4 lbs Salisbury Steak dinner entrees
4 lbs split chicken breasts
4 lbs breaded chicken breast filets
3 lbs meaty beef ribs
3 lbs pork chops
24 oz. Philly steak portions
24 oz. jar of peanut butter
8 oz. chicken noodle soup
18 oz. frosted corn flakes
2-16 oz. frozen corn
2-16 oz. frozen carrots
4 lbs onions
4 lbs potatoes
pumpkin pie
2 lbs black eyed peas
blueberry muffin mix
3 lbs rib eye steaks
3 lbs New York strip steaks
4 lbs hamburger
3 lbs mild Italian sausage
4 lbs frying chicken
4 lbs chicken tenders
4 lbs chicken wings
4 lbs chicken breasts--quick frozen, grilled
4 chicken breast chunks
Not too shabby! This will feed the 7 of us all this month. All I will need to buy extra is corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day!
I enjoyed volunteering at the restaurant for the homeless in Laurel, Maryland, called Elizabeth House so it's no surprise that I was calling up the director of the Angel Food program at St. Mark's. I want to give back to the community. I strongly believe in that concept. Tony (the gentleman in charge) was happy to hear from me...and he invited me (and TB if he wants to) to attend church. I'm going.
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