AIDS Project Worcester - Food Pantry of Worcester, Massachusetts

AIDS Project Worcester consumers who are HIV positive are eligible for services provided by the Nutrition Program. APW is now offering nutritional assessments by a registered dietician once a month. The Food Bank is provided to increase nutritional intake and to supplement the diets of consumers on a limited income. Food provided is meant as a supplement to the consumers’ diet, not his or her primary source of nutrition. Food consists of canned goods, USDA products, fresh meats, baked items, fresh produce, etc. Consumers are eligible for the Food Bank three times per month. Food is distributed every Tuesday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Only one consumer in each household is eligible for the Food Bank. (APW reserves the right to ask for proof of residence). Consumers who are in a residential setting where food is provided are not eligible for the Food Bank. Emergency Food boxes are provided to consumers who: Have been released from prison within the past thirty days; Have been released from the hospital within the past two weeks; Have recently lost employment or benefits within the past thirty days; Are new consumers; Have moved into a new apartment within the past two weeks. Food Box Deliveries: Consumers are eligible for food box deliveries if they have ambulatory issues or have been discharged from the hospital within the past thirty days. The consumer’s agency contact will assess whether a client is eligible for delivery. Congregate Meals: Meals are hosted by APW regularly and provide consumers with valuable information on HIV, nutrition, medical adherence and other important topics related to HIV. Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels provide meals at home to consumers who: Have been released from the hospital within thirty days; Can’t or are unable to prepare their own meals; Have other medical conditions that prevent them from preparing meals. Clients should speak to their agency contact for more information. Food Vouchers: APW distributes food vouchers to consumers as a part of our nutrition program. Clients may be eligible if: They are on a special diet. They need to purchase personal items when they are unavailable at the Food Bank; They have an emergency, determined by an assessment with the Agency Contact; The Nutritional Staff determines it would be beneficial due to limited items available in the Food Bank. Nutritional Supplements: The Nutrition Program maintains a limited supply of nutritional supplements for consumers. Consumers must request the supplements from a lead contact who will arrange for them to be put on the supplement list. Consumers are limited to 16 cans per month. The lead contact at APW must follow up with clients to complete paperwork for Allcare within 30 days of initial service.