The Carter County Neighborhood Service Center is accepting applications for the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency Commodity Distribution scheduled for March 18.

The commodity distribution is scheduled every three months. The boxes distributed contain various food staples, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, juices and pastas.

“The commodity distribution helps families who may need assistance with food or who need to supplement what they already have,” Neighborhood Service Center Director Crystal Dugger said. “It can also help families by loosening up funds they have set aside for groceries to be used for some other need they have. Mainly, it helps nourish the residents of Carter County.”

During the last distribution in December, the Carter County service center distributed 192 food boxes before supplies ran out. The commodities are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to families and continue as long as food is available. The supply made available to each county is dependent on the number of commodity boxes that are handed out.

“If we run out of boxes at a distribution, then our supply is increased,” Dugger said. “If we do not give it all out, then we have less to work with the next month.”

To qualify for the distribution, families must receive food stamps or be under the 150 percent poverty designation. Families can complete applications at the Neighborhood Service Center on Cherokee Park Drive. Applications will be accepted at the office until March 17, Dugger said. Applications will be accepted at the door during the distribution, but Dugger asked that interested clients apply before the distribution day.

The distribution will begin at 9 a.m. at the National Guard Armory at 128 Judge Don Lewis Blvd. Clients need to bring their yellow commodity ID card to the distribution. Boxes will be handed out as supplies last on a first-come, first-serve basis. Distribution will end at 3 p.m. or when supplies run out.

For more information on the Carter County distribution call 542-5121.

The Mountain City Neighborhood Service Center will have its distribution March 11 at the National Guard Armory, 1923 South Shady St., Mountain City. For more information contact the Center at 727-6633.