Thrive offers heat-relief fans and opens farmers market voucher applications June 23

Thrive is distributing fans through an Operation Fan Heat Relief program (partly funded by a Duke Energy grant and supplemented by neighborhood and Rotary donations), April Austin said on Caldwell County Today.

"All they have to do is come by and fill out a really, really short application," Austin said, describing the eligibility check as a way to confirm county residency and that recipients are age 60 or older or under 60 with a disability. Austin said fans are available now and that Thrive has procedures to assist homebound residents who cannot pick up fans in person.

Thrive also announced that applications for the North Carolina Senior Farmers Market Voucher Program will open June 23. Austin said the program is limited to county residents 60 and older who meet low-income thresholds; for a single-person household Austin gave the income limit as $2,461 per month. Qualified recipients receive a $50 booklet of checks that must be used at state-certified farmers markets during July, August and September and are typically distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. "We are typically limited to 150 people," Austin said, and vouchers "go very, very quickly." The checks are issued in $5 increments and cannot be redeemed for cash.

Why it matters: Austin framed both efforts as immediate, practical assistance for older residents facing heat exposure or food insecurity. She encouraged callers or potential recipients to contact Thrive for assistance with applications or to arrange home delivery when necessary.

For more information, Austin directed listeners to Thrive's website, thrive828.com, and advised residents to call the center for details on application, pickup and homebound procedures.