477 Consumer Services offers more choices for food/household goods shopping days
Consumer Services manager Dustin Davis assists a CARES Act food program
participant.
By DANA HERNANDEZ
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Dustin Davis, manager of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes 477 Consumer Services and helping with CARES Assistance, said they are now providing people with more shopping days, gift cards, and checks.
Davis said there are now three employees who will be doing the shopping days. Davis will be stationed at the Walmart in Pocatello on Sundays and Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dishana Atcitty will be at the Walmart in Blackfoot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jacki Wynn will be at Walmart on Monday and Wednesday, and Ridley’s on Tuesday and Thursday, and will do after-hours from 3 to 6 p.m.
Shopping days are for two or more households or those over 55 years. Households will need to sign up by calling Davis beginning on Tuesdays to select a time slot. They will need a tribal ID, and meet him at the check-out stand that he has selected at the time they chose to sign up for.
The Trading Post vouchers were suspended on October 5 because some were photocopying vouchers and attempting to redeem them. Davis said he is happy to say that Carlie Jim at the Enterprises came up with a solution to do gift cards instead of vouchers. The 477 staff for the CARES assistance will be offering a trade-in drive-thru day for anyone who still has Trading Post voucher(s), and can come to the old casino parking lot on Friday, October 16 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. to trade in their Trading Post vouchers for Trading Post gift cards.
Davis said he highly recommends those who still have vouchers to do the trade-out event. They are also working with the Enterprises, so they are aware of who has redeemed their vouchers and will be checking their lists during the event.
For those who still have vouchers and also did the Walmart shopping day, their vouchers may not be valid. Each household application is only able to use their food/household items once a month. Households should choose one option, the shopping day or a gift card. Davis will have to verify who received what and whether or not they are able to trade-in their Trading Post vouchers.
Davis said the shopping days are meant to alleviate the amount of people who will be doing the major distribution days on October 26, 27, and 28, which will take place at the old casino parking lot from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The three distribution days will be for the gift cards to Winco, Del Monte Meats, and Trading Post. Also, available during the three distribution days are checks for Fred Meyers and Kesslers. Those who want a gift card/check should call ahead of time to make sure they are on the food/household items list and to verify they can receive a gift card or check.
Those who have questions can contact Davis at 208-478-3709. Also available is Dishana Atcitty at 208-478-3981, Talisa Johnson at 208-478-3983, Taylor Thomas 208-478-3712, and Johanna Eldridge at 208-478-3982.
