Seniors are going hungry

#Middlebury #SeniorNewsLine

A just-released report paints a grim picture about the number of seniors age 60 and older who don’t get enough to eat. “The State of Senior Hunger in America” shows that while those numbers have decreased slightly, they’re still above the rate from 2007.

Here’s a sad statistic: Two-thirds of seniors who don’t get enough to eat have incomes above the poverty line. Because of that, they don’t qualify for nutrition programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

Another hard fact: Twice as many seniors now don’t get enough food to remain healthy as compared to those in 2001.

What can you do to help yourself get enough nutritious food? Start with your doctor’s office. Ask about food banks in your area, or churches that provide meals. Call the Agency on Aging in your state. Call the Commodity Supplemental Food Program at 800-432-7812 and see if you’re eligible. Find out about free meals at the senior center or groups that give out weekly food donations.

To help others, pay attention to food drives in your area. Add a few cans or boxes to your weekly shopping cart in advance of those events, and then make a donation. If your church has a help table in the lobby where food and household goods can be left for those in need, make your donation there. If you have a home vegetable garden, share your produce with the food bank.

Go online to Feeding America (www.feedingamerica.org), which each year helps 13 million seniors age 50 and older at 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries, and click on the food bank locator. Check FreeFood.org for a list of organizations in your state.

Plan ahead: Do your research now. Know where to find nutritious food should your situation change.

(c) 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.