PALMYRA — Four hundred fifty cases of government food is scheduled to arrive in Palmrya next week. The food will be given away, free of charge, to eligible homeless and needy people in the mid-Maine area.

A similar giveaway last year drew more than 500 families from as far away as Greenville and Norridgewock.

According to Administrative Assistant Pat White, the food is provided by the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program and will be distributed by volunteer workers from Concerned Citizens of Palmyra.

Applications for eligibility will be available at the Palmyra Town Hall from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Eligible families will receive free groceries. People are encouraged to bring their own boxes or bags.

Items that will be offered include apple juice, applesauce, apricots, small white beans, canned beef, canned corn, peaches, peanut butter and pears.

White said anyone receiving assistance from any of the following programs will be eligible for the food: AFDC, elderly tax and rent refund, low-cost drug program, food stamps, fuel assistance program (HEAP), Medicaid, or supplemental security income — SSI.

The TEFAP program is funded from federal and state community services, said White.

Ike Chadbourne of Palmyra has volunteered to transport the food from Portland to Palmyra.

For further information, call Pat White, 938-4871.