May is Older Americans Month, an appreciation month for seniors, dating back to the 1963 Older Americans Act, which ensures funding for critical services that keep older adults healthy and independent.
- 1 in 12 seniors in America faces hunger.
- 20% of people that receive food from Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley’s member agencies are senior citizens.
- In 2015, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley filled over 83,000 requests for food assistance from seniors.
Food insecurity is particularly detrimental to seniors because of their unique nutritional needs related to aging and their medical conditions. As such, we know seniors facing hunger are at increased risk for chronic health conditions like depression (60%), heart attack (53%), asthma (52%) and congestive heart failure (40%).
You can help fight senior hunger by:
- Organizing a food drive. Please contact Paige Tomlinson-Miller at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 330-792-5522.
- Making a financial donation.
- Taking a picture holding a handwritten #SolveSeniorHunger sign and post to social media with the hashtag to elevate the issue.
- Telling your member of Congress to support a strong Older Americans Act to provide health and nutrition services to seniors in need.
To learn more about senior hunger visit the Feeding America website.
