BETHEL

LATEST TIM DUKES NEWLETTER

The Food Bank of Delaware is kicking off its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.

The Food Drive runs through Friday, November 15th. (Items donated after that date will be distributed throughout the remainder of the holiday season.)

The Food Bank is seeking donations of both nonperishable holiday foods and financial contributions. Most-needed items include:

• Canned vegetables and fruits
• Canned gravy and cranberry sauce
• Instant mashed potatoes and stuffing mix
• Shelf-stable milk
• Canned meats and soups
• Cornbread and biscuit mix
• Dessert mix
• Frozen turkeys (must be dropped off to Newark or Milford warehouses)

Food donations can be dropped off at the Food Bank’s facilities in Newark (222 Lake Drive) and Milford (102 Delaware Veterans Blvd.). Businesses, schools, faith-based groups, civic organizations and others are encouraged to organize food drives to support the effort.

Financial gifts are also vital — every $1 donated helps provide three meals to neighbors in need. Donations can be made securely online at www.fbd.org.

For more information on how to get involved or host a food drive, visit www.fbd.org/food-drives or contact Jessi Dominguez, Special Events Manager, at jdominguez@fbd.org.

Medicare Open Enrollment continues through December 7th

The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB), formerly known as ELDERinfo, provides free health insurance counseling for people with Medicare, including those under 65 years of age. You can call DMAB at 1-800-336-9500 or (302) 674-7364 to set up a free counseling session with a trained volunteer at a convenient site near you. Our goal is to empower people with Medicare to better understand their options and enable them to make the best health insurance decisions for themselves.

DMAB provides counseling and assistance on questions and problems related to Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance), Medicare Part D, long-term care insurance and other types of health insurance. There is no charge for the service.

Counselors provide in-person and telephone assistance in the following general areas:

• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Program (Medicare Part D)
• Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap Plans)
• Assistance for disabled Medicare beneficiaries (under age 65)
• Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs, preferred provider organizations)
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Medical Assistance programs
• Assistance for low-income beneficiaries
• Billing problems
• Volunteer counselor opportunities
• Prescription Savings for those who qualify
• Free community presentations and more

Financial literacy legislation is now law

Tim had the great privilege of joining his colleague and friend – Rep. Jeff Hilovsky – at the signing ceremony for an historic bill he sponsored this past legislative session.

Rep. Hilovsky is the champion of the years-long effort to pass legislation requiring high school students to complete a financial literacy half-credit in order to graduate.

Tim stated: “Financial literacy is about impacting our students positively in Delaware. This is potentially the most important educational piece of legislation in the last decade in our state. Dr. Jeff Hilovsky has worked tirelessly to get this legislation through. Our caucus is grateful this bill had such tremendous bipartisan support and we thank the governor for his signature.”

Governor Meyer signed the bill at an event last Thursday at Delaware State University.

Before the bill signing, legislators had an opportunity to meet former Philadelphia Eagles running back – Brian Westbrook – at an event sponsored by VISA-NFL Financial Football, an interactive video game that engages students while teaching them money management skills.

Special Property Reassessment Committee Meeting

 The next tentative meeting is planned for Tuesday, November 4th at 9:30 a.m. in the Senate Chamber. To listen to the live proceedings, please visit: legis.delaware.gov.

To contact Tim: Timothy.Dukes@delaware.gov