Agencies combine efforts to discuss senior hunger
On Wednesday, Oct. 26, a combination of agencies will come together to discuss the increasing issue of senior hunger and how Southwest Florida can deal with the impact of the aging population’s need for food assistance. The Harry Chapin Food Bank and Senior Friendship Centers will hold the program at the Florida Gulf Coast University Student Union.
The program will be from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and is made possible by support from FGCU and Comfort Keepers. There is no charge to attend the program, which will feature a keynote speaker, senior hunger report, group discussions, and a call to action. 8.8 million Americans 50 and older face the risk of hunger.
Hunger and undernourishment can impact the health of any person, but older Americans are particularly vulnerable. Every year, millions of older Americans suffer from food insecurity. They may experience hunger, are near hunger, or are undernourished because they lack access to wholesome foods. In a nation of plenty, it is unacceptable that so many senior citizens are in need of food. Low-income and fixed-income older Americans are often hard pressed to pay their bills. Many are frequently forced to limit their food intake to compensate for costs of housing, heat, and most especially medicine.
For more information about the October 26 program or to register, contact Kristina Rodriquez, Senior Friendship Centers, Director of Nutrition & Community Engagement 275-1881.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank solicits, collects and stores quality food for distribution to families in need through a network of 186 local nonprofit agencies in Lee, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte and Glades counties, who provide food to more than 30,000 people monthly. More than 1 million pounds of food are distributed monthly. For every dollar donated, about $6 in food value goes back to the community. In the past fiscal year, The Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed 12.5 million pounds of food and other grocery products; this was a 31 percent increase over the previous year.
Additional information about or to contribute financially to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, contact 334-7007 or go to harrychapinfoodbank.org.