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TranslateWelcome to the Houston Food Bank’s Neighbor Newsletter!
Be on the lookout every 3 months for the next newsletter.
Para español, haga clic en el menú desplegable de arriba a la derecha.
Cabbage Salad with Peanut Dressing
Scroll down for recipe.
Free Tax Preparation
Baker Ripley offers free professional tax preparation of your 2018-2023 tax returns and amendments for families and individuals earning up to $58,000 annually.
Help with ITIN applications and renewals is also available.
Services are available in English and Spanish.
There are 27 available sites. All sites are walk-in only, and a virtual option is available here.
SNAP Policy Update
Good news! Thanks to advocacy work, SNAP has updated its Vehicle Asset Test policy.
The Vehicle Asset places a limit on the value of the vehicles that a household may own and still qualify for SNAP benefits.
Effective January 1, 2024, value limits increased from $15,000 to $22,500 for the first vehicle and $4,650 to $8,700 for additional vehicles.
If you’ve already applied and are waiting to hear back, you do not need to resubmit. If you were previously denied and believe you now qualify under the new limits, you will need to reapply.
Early Voting
Early voting kicks off soon! Voting gives you the opportunity to make a choice in what impacts YOU and your community. This starts with primary elections, where you get to choose who represents you on the November ballot.
Early voting begins February 20 & Election Day is March 5th.
We want to ensure that you’re equipped with the tools necessary to make your voice heard. Visit our Houston Food Bank Action Center to take action and learn more about advocacy and this election!
#changeforbetterlives
Toss Guidelines
The Houston Food Bank receives donations from a variety of sources, including grocers. This means that the packaging on foods may have the date by when the manufacturer recommends using or selling the product. These dates do not reflect the product’s true expiration dates.
For information on how long food will stay safe and tasty as well as the best way to store it, check out StillTasty.com.
Cereal
1 year past expiration date
Canned Goods
2 years past expiration date
Peanut Butter
Use within 6 months of purchase
Dry Beans & Pasta
3 years past expiration date
Baby Food
Discard after expiration date
Frozen Meat
1 year past expiration date
Extended Medicaid Coverage for New Moms
Starting March 1, 2024, low-income moms in Texas will be able to remain on Medicaid for one year after childbirth.
Anyone whose pregnancy ended before March 1 and lost postpartum Medicaid can re-enroll to maintain coverage for 12 months after their pregnancy ended.
Mothers whose pregnancies ended in the delivery of the child or natural loss of the child are eligible.
Cabbage Salad with Peanut Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. fresh ginger minced or grated (dressing)
- 1 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce (dressing)
- 2 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter (dressing)
- Juice from 1 fresh lime (dressing)
- 1/2 head of Lettuce shredded
- 1/2 head of Romaine shredded
- 2 carrots shredded
- 1 bell pepper thinly sliced
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken shredded (optional)
Instructions
- Make the dressing ahead of time and store in a large Ziploc bag in the fridge.
- Shred cabbage, lettuce, and carrots, and store in a separate Ziploc bag in the fridge.
- Slice bell pepper and green onions and store in another Ziploc bag in the fridge.
- When ready to serve toss all ingredients in a large bowl with the dressing and enjoy!
Notes
https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Carrots-Go-English.pdf https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Carrots-Go-Mandarin.pdf https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Carrots-Go-Spanish.pdf https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Carrots-Go-Vietnamese.pdf
Find help: HoustonFoodBank.org/find-help/
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