Non-profit organizations across Sonoma County are working hard
to address the increasing number of senior citizens that need food
assistance.
What local food pantries have found is that, of the people
coming to pick-up food, seniors in particular are showing a greater
increase in numbers with more specific food needs than most.
“Our senior population is the fastest growing and Sonoma County
has a larger senior population than most areas,” said Jean Larson,
Chief Operating Officer at the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
REFB is expecting its senior population to double over the next
25 years and currently has a caseload of more than 1,300 seniors
coming to pick up food every month. Many of the seniors find
themselves on a fixed income, which makes it harder for them to get
healthy food on their own.
“Overall what struck us the most was the median income. Poverty
does exist in our community, sometimes we just don’t see it or
recognize it,” said Larson.
In response to the increased hunger in Sonoma County, REFB
participated in a nationwide study that would provide the
organization statistics it needs to work towards reducing hunger
over the next fours years.
The study, “Hunger in Sonoma County 2010” shows percentages of
people that are hungry in certain areas, their demographics and
what challenges they may face without proper nutrition.
The results of the study showed that 41.2 percent of senior food
recipients 65-years and older reported low to very low food
security, noting that people who fall into low levels of food
security have a higher risk of illness, injury and death. They also
found that many of these same seniors fall 130 percent below the
poverty level.
The study states that, “Hunger in Sonoma County 2010 reveals
that there are varying degrees of food insecurity and hunger, and
as a result different types of help are necessary to meet people’s
needs.”
In order to serve these senior groups, REFB is offering a hunger
relief program that in conjunction with distribution sites across
the county, provides 30 to 40 pound boxes of nutritious foods a
month plus additional fresh fruits and vegetables to seniors that
are 60-years or older and that meet federal income guidelines.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) focuses on
serving foods like cheese, fruits, vegetables and dry goods that
will supplement a senior diet and provide high levels of nutrition.
The boxes are distributed at more than 30 sites throughout the
county.
“This program comes with staple foods from the government and in
addition to the box of food we provide the fresh produce. We only
pay a small fee for fresh produce and transportation so we are able
to get a lot of fresh food,” Larson said.
CSFP is a federally funded program administered by the state.
Seniors must apply for assistance depending on income and age. Last
year the government recognized the increase in need in Sonoma
County approving an expansion of the caseload REFB could
handle.
This year REFB is looking to fill spaces by finding seniors in
need at senior housing complexes and senior centers, and working
with the Sonoma County Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program
to expand thier efforts.
