Serving Hands (formerly called Surplus Food) will begin its 2010-2011 food distribution this week, on Wednesday, Oct. 20.

All distributions will take place at the First Baptist Church Parish House in Vineyard Haven. The parish house is the small building on William street right next to the church. The doors will open promptly at 1:30 (please do not arrive before 1:15, as another group uses the church) and close at 3 p.m. Food will be distributed until we run out. If you have a pantry card, please bring it.

Distribution will be on Wednesdays: Nov. 10, Dec. 15, Jan. 26, Feb. 16, March 23, April 13, May 18, June 22, July 20, August 17 and Sept. 21.

To qualify, participants must be on one of the following programs or meet the USDA income guidelines.

Programs: Food Stamps, AFDC, WIC, Welfare, Medicaid, SSI, Head Start, Fuel Assistance, Family Day Care, Veteran’s Aid or Food Pantry.

Income Guidelines: annual gross income of $20,036 for a family of one; $26,955 for a family of two; $38,874 for three; $40,793 for four; $47,712 for five; $54,631 for six; $61,550 for seven; and $68,469 for a family of eight.

Serving Hands is sponsored by the Vineyard Committee on Hunger. For more information, contact Betty Burton at 508-693-5339 or e-mail burtonsundman@hotmail.com.