Free and Reduced Lunch

As a response to the poor health of military recruits from low-income families, the USDA established the school lunch program was established in the mid-1940's and expanded to include free breakfast in the 1960's. This program provides USDA-subsidized food and other assistance to local schools, with a majority of students in Clark County qualifying for this benefit, although not every family applies.

Applications for free and reduced meals (breakfast and lunch) are distributed at the beginning of each school year and are available through most classroom teachers, counselors or the school office. Since this program is administered on the district level, a single form may be completed for all children in a household, even if they attend different schools. Phone your local school district or office for details.

General information on the program is available at:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/FRP/frp.process.htm but forms for any given district must be obtained from that school district.

Food Stamps

"Food stamps" (or EBT) is a program administered by the USDA which seeks to support American agriculture by providing assistance to low-income individuals in obtaining basic nutrition. Because this program is administered through the states, initial application is usually through a state office. The main office for this in Clark County is in Town Center Plaza (the old Tower Mall)

Columbia River Community Services Office #53, (360) 759-2800
5411 E. Mill Plain Blvd, Building #1 (Town Center Plaza), Vancouver WA 98661

• Toll Free: (800) 287-1745
• TTY: (360) 696-6334
• The Answer Phone: (877) 980-9220

Begin online application at the
Washington State Department of Social & Health Services

Loaves and Fishes Meals Sites

The Loaves and Fishes lunch program provides hot noon meals and activities at various sites around Clark County for people 60 and older and their spouses, for a suggested donation of $2.75. Others may also eat for $6.80 and food stamps are accepted. No reservations required.

• Vancouver's Leupke Center
  11:30-1pm weekdays, 1009 East McLoughlin Blvd (behind Marshall Center) (360) 695-3847.
• Washougal Community Center
  Monday-Thursday @ 11:40, 1681 "C" Street, (360) 210-5666.
• Yacolt, Mondays at noon, St. Joseph's Catholic Church
  2000 West Jones St.
• Ridgefield Community Center
  Wednesdays at noon, 210 N Main, (360) 567-7670.
• Battle Ground Senior Center
  Wednesdays at noon, 116 NE Third Ave, (360) 567-7670.
• La Center Community Center
  Thursdays at noon, 1000 East Fourth St, (360) 567-7670.
• Vancouver's Firstenberg Community Center
  Weekdays 11:30-1:30pm, 700 NE 136th Ave, (360) 597-5711.
• Camas Senior Center
  Fridays at 11:30 am, 1718 SE Seventh St, (360) 210-5666.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a nutrition assistance program that focuses on the elderly, disabled and other shut-ins, helping to deliver at least one nutritious mail each day through the help of volunteers. This program is not income-based.

• For meals please phone Senior Assistance Case Management
  at (360) 694-8144
• To volunteer please phone (360) 695-3847
• For general information please phone (360) 696-8076
• http://www.cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/how_to_help/meals_on_wheels.htm
• http://www.loavesandfishesonline.org

WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Food Assistance

Basic Information on WIC or help finding a store

• Clark County Public Health
  1601 E 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver WA 98661, (360) 397-8459
• Clark County Public Health
  701 E Main St, Battle Ground WA 98604, (360) 687-7126
• Cowlitz Family Health Center
  1251 Lewis River Rd Suite D, Woodland WA 98674, (360) 225-4310
• East County Public Health Resource Center
  702 "C" Street, Washougal WA 98671, (360) 835-7802
• Skamania County Health Department
  683 SW Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson WA 98648, (509) 427-5138

General Nutritional Information

http://www.clark.wa.gov/health/wic/links.html

211: Human and Community Services

If you need help locating health and human services in the greater Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington region, Dial 2-1-1. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that helps connect people in need with the community resources available to help meet those needs.

http://www.211info.org

USDA Commodities Distribution

The federal Department of Agriculture provides commodity foodstuffs such as cheese and peanut butter in Clark County during the first three weeks of each month. To qualify one must be a Clark County resident with an income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. For more information and to see if you qualify, please phone (360) 892-9050. Distribution centers are arranged by ZIP code.

• 98660, 98661, 98663, 98665:
  Weekdays 10a-N, 1-4pm at Salvation Army, 7509 NE 47th Avenue.
• 98662, 98664, 98682, 98683, 98684:
  Weekdays 10am-12pm or 12:30-2:30pm at FISH Orchards, 6008 NE 110th Avenue.
• 98607, 98671:
  Third Monday 9am-4pm, Interfaith Treasure House, 91 "C" Street in Camas.
• 98601, 98604, 98606, 98622, 98674, 98675:
  First Monday 10am-Noon, North County Food Bank, 400 SW Second, Battle Ground.