How to Apply for Food Stamps in Brooklyn

Do you find that you've cut way back on your food purchases lately because you can't afford it?

The New York Times published a story Sunday saying that food stamp use at record highs. Food stamps now help feed one in eight Americans and one in four children.

But many folks don't even realize that they're eligible for food stamps. If you are still working but your hours have been cut, you may be newly eligible.

A single person with a gross monthly income of $1,174 (that's $14,088 a year) is eligible. A family of two can gross $1,579 monthly ($18,948/year) and under; a family of three needs to gross $1,984 a month or less ($23,808/year) to be eligible -- or up to $ 36,624 a year if there's an elderly or disabled person in the family. And so it goes -- see here for larger families.

Note that other factors come into play, such as expenses. According to the state, your savings aren't held against you. The only way to be sure you're eligible is to apply.

There are eight food stamp centers in Brooklyn. Here's the list. But you may not even have to go in person if you're working, disabled or a senior.

Here is the city's online guide to applying for food stamps. (You can also call 3-1-1 to get started.) You can be working and still get food stamps. People on Social Security have an easier time getting food stamps. Here's the city's food stamp calculator to see if you're eligible. (We also tried the state's food stamp calculator and found it a bit quicker.)

If you need emergency assistance, go to a food pantry. Here's the city's phone number for pantries; here's a story about one in Brooklyn Heights.

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Brooklyn Doorman Wins $1,000 a Week for Life, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- A 33-year-old Brooklyn doorman wins $1000 a week for life in the New York State Lottery. ABC

- Eddy Sanchez, the Pratt student who was brutally mugged in August, is out of the rehab center and has begun to walk again. The Local/Ft. Greene

- A new candy store is expected to open in DUMBO in time for the holidays. Brooklyn Eagle

- Three weeks after receiving its 501(c) status, a Bed-Stuy community organization was robbed and now has to start over from scratch. They even stole the vacuum cleaner. Bed Stuy Blog

- What to do with all those leftover parsnips: Parsnip Pancakes! Not Eating Out in New York

- The Dandelion Boutique has replaced a long-time jewelry store on Court Street in Carroll Gardens. Pardon Me For Asking

- The New Jersey Nets fired coach Lawrence Frank on Sunday after losing their first 16 games. Huffington Post

- New York Magazine lists movies with Oscar buzz for this holiday season. NYM

- Get the kids and put on your walking shoes: Mommy Poppins has put together a holiday window itinerary. Mommy Poppins

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Black Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Brooklyn -- Thanksgiving Sales All Weekend

If you didn't hit the stores Friday, don't worry, sales are continuing on Saturday and in some cases, Sunday. Macy's, for example, continues their Thanksgiving Sale from 8 a.m. till 1 p.m. Saturday. Here's a ten dollar savings pass. And here's a 15% off Wow Pass good for this weekend as well.

Racked has mapped out some of the best Black Friday deals in Brooklyn -- places like Fred Flare and Bird are knocking off from 25 - 40%. Most of them continue all weekend.

Saturday is Target's second day of its two-day sale. The flyer is here.

IKEA is giving away breakfast and encouraging folks to "Seize the Day."

Old Navy is offering great doorbusters -- $15 jeans for adults, $10 for kids, for example. See them here.

Fulton Street has thrown itself enthusiastically into Thanksgiving sales. Lane Bryant, for example, has knocked 40% off most items.

Don't forget the ShopBrooklyn promotion. Brooklyn retailers, restaurants, bars, and other service providers are offering special “Brooklyn Bonuses” every weekend through December 25. Models, for example, is giving a 10% Brooklyn Bonus; so is Sids Hardware. (Borough President Marty Markowitz with civic and business leaders kicked off the Shop Brooklyn promotion in Fort Greene, as seen in the above photo by Kathryn Kirk.)

Want to spend less? Go from cheap to cheaper at ABC Super Store at 427 Fulton Street.

In Brooklyn Heights, Montague Jewelers (at 212 Montague Street) is offering 50% off all jewelry this weekend.

Photos by MK Metz; Shop Brooklyn/Marty Markowitz photo by Kathryn Kirk.

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Trader Joe's Expands Hours in Brooklyn

We've been saying this ever since Trader Joe's opened in Brooklyn: "Why don't they open earlier?"

Now, as if by wizardry, a sign appears: Trader Joe's is now open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Their old hours were 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.) Yay! We can get the shopping done in the morning now.

Some previous Trader Joe's posts.

Photo by MK Metz
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NYC: We're Looking Into It

Here's one of the city's new "We're Looking Into it" signs. Apparently, you can call 3-1-1 and tell them the ticket number in order to get information.

It was stuck on some new asphalt near the corner of Clark and Henry Streets in Brooklyn Heights.

Photo by MK Metz

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Sending Donations To Mom Who Lost Her Family In Crown Heights Fire

Central Brooklyn Council Member Al Vann sends word that donations for Rose Etienne, the Crown Heights mother who lost her partner and their two sons in a fire last Wednesday, can be made payable to:

Hebron Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1256 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216
In the memo portion, please note “For the Jean Family”

Council Member Vann is working with Ms. Etienne, her family, church and residents as she prepares to fly her partner Myrtel, 42, and their two sons, Fabrice, 2, and Sebastian, 1, back to Haiti for burial.

“During this holiday season, this family needs our prayers and our monetary assistance in their time of grief,” said Vann. “I am confident that the residents of the 36th district as well as many other New Yorkers will open their hearts and wallets to lend a necessary hand.”

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The Brooklyn Portfolio: One Month Report

It's been a month, so we thought it would be a good time to see how The Brooklyn Portfolio is doing.

The portfolio (the Brooklyn Fund put together by McBrooklyn and McBrooklyn readers) became a reality Friday, October 23,2009 with the purchase of 10 shares of eight different Brooklyn-related stocks or ADRs.

We are pleased to report that the fund, as of Nov. 25, is up 8.72 %.

This compares favorably to the S&P 500, which gained 2.87% during the same time period. (Future performance has nothing to do with past performance.)

Here are the initial stocks and their cost when we purchased them on Oct. 23:

National Grid plc (ADR) - NGG - 48.22/share * 10 shares = 482.20
Pfizer Inc. - PFE - 17.25/share * 10 shares = 172.50
Bristol Myers Squibb Co. - BMY - 22.24/share * 10 shares = 222.40
Corning Incorporated - GLW - 15.65/share * 10 shares = 156.50
Nathan's Famous - NATH - 14.38/share * 10 shares = 143.80
Dime Community Bancshares - DCOM - 11.59/share * 10 shares = 115.90
Novartis AG (ADR) - NVS - 51.89/share * 10 shares = 518.90
Brooklyn Federal Savings Bank - BFSB - 12.10/share * 10 shares = 121.00

Performance (click on chart to enlarge):
The initial cost of the all the shares was $1933.20. The shares are now worth $2,101.70, a gain of $168.50.

As can be seen from the chart above, National Grid and Bristol Myers Squibb soared this month, gaining 16.67% and 15.33 % respectively. Pfizer, Corning and Novartis are each up roughly 7.7% this month. Nathan's and Dime Bank are both down slightly, a bit over 1% each. The only loser of note during the first month of the Brooklyn Portfolio's existence is Brooklyn Federal Bancorp, which sank 6.36%.

(At this point we are not including dividend yields nor are we subtracting fees to purchase the stocks. We'll add these at the end of the year.)

To read about the history of The Brooklyn Portfolio and the stocks that make it up, see the following links:

- The Brooklyn Portfolio: Fully Funded and Ready for Business
- The Brooklyn Portfolio Takes Shape
- The Brooklyn Portfolio: Investing In Brooklyn

Photo by Don Hankins, Creative Commons license

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23905174@N00/ / CC BY 2.0

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Thanksgiving 2009 In Brooklyn: Where To Go, What To Eat

- OffManhattan has compiled a list of the eight best Prix Fixe Thanksgiving dinners in Brooklyn.

- Kristen at About.com has put together her selections for where to place your orders for pies and cookies; where to eat; where to work out after you eat; and where to snag some Black Friday deals.

- If someone invites you to Thanksgiving you better not show up empty handed. BrooklynBased has put together suggestions for gifts that will get you invited back.

- The Heights & Hills Thanksgiving Dinner at Grace Church serves elderly and homebound persons. This is a great place to volunteer as well. Brooklyn Eagle

- A Good Samaritan in Crown Heights has bought enough food for a hungry family. Prove to them you really need it and don't be greedy. Craigslist

- Where can you eat a kosher Thanksgiving meal in Brooklyn? Chowhound knows.

- Picky in-laws for Thanksgiving in Brooklyn? Chowhound to the rescue again.

- Go ice skating! The Wollman Rink opens Thanksgiving day. Heart of Brooklyn

- Go to the zoo. The Prospect Park Zoo is open and you'll even see Franklin, a LIVE wild turkey, strutting around the barn. Brooklyn Eagle

- Not Eating Out In New York gives us some delicious Thanksgiving leftovers recipes.

- Have yourself a dumpster Thanksgiving! The Freegans of New York City are going dumpster diving tonight through some of Brooklyn's mist "fruitful" bins. Umm, bring gloves. Brokelyn

Photo by CarbonNYC

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/ / CC BY 2.0

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Lighting Up Court Street for the Holidays

Court Street just north of Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights looks pretty festive lately.

Photo by MK Metz

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Brooklyn Children's Museum: Thanksgiving Weekend Programs

Are you going to be celebrating Thanksgiving weekend with children? Considering bringing them to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. The BCM has a special Thanksgiving program called “Gifts from Nature” from Friday, November 27th to Sunday, November 29th.

Opened extended hours from 10am to 5pm each day, the Museum's holiday offerings highlight science and explore Native American culture.

Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Children's Museum

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