Changes have been made to the Federal Commodity and State Food Purchase Program which affect families in Warren County.

According to Major Ron Starnes, corps officer of the Warren Salvation Army, the program distributes food from the U.S. government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

"A lot of it is non-perishable canned goods," he said.

He added, "This is the old cheese and butter distribution of the 1980s."

The program has grown to be a supplement to a family's grocery bill. Qualification for the program is income-based.

"It's a very simple process. It would take (applicants) not more than 10 minutes and they would know right away if they qualify," Starnes said.

The changes to the program specifically relate to the pick-up sites.

"There are some changes in areas of pick-up that families living in Warren County need to know about before they received their next monthly distribution," he said. "You might be moved from one site to another because of where you live."

The areas, distribution place, dates and times in Warren County are as follows:

Site one - For those who live in Columbus and Freehold townships pick-ups are the first Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Columbus Fire Department, 5 Main St., Columbus.

Site two - For those who live in Spring Creek, Eldred and Pittsfield townships, pick-ups are the first Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m. to noon at the West Spring Creek Congregational Church on Old Rt. 77, Spring Creek.

Site three - For those who live Pine Grove, Farmington and Sugar Grove townships, pick-ups are on the third Wednesday, 1 to 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Sugar Grove.

Site four - For those who live in Sheffield, Mead, Cherry Grove and Watson townships, pick-ups are on the second Wednesday and Thursday of each month, 9 a.m. to noon at the Ruth M. Smith Center, Horton Ave., Sheffield.

Site five - For those who live in the City of Warren and Glade, Pleasant, Elk, Conewango and Brokenstraw townships, pick-ups are on the third Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m. to noon at the Salvation Army, 311 Beech St.

Site six - For those who live in Deerfield, Southwest, Triumph and Limestone townships, pick-ups are the fourth Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m. to noon at the United Methodist Church, 204 Main St., Tidioute.