THE STATE OF SENIOR HUNGER

A new report, the State of Senior Hunger 2011, shows that 8.8 million seniors faced the threat of hunger in 2011, up from 5 million in 2001. This represents an 88% increase since 2001 and a 42% increase since the start of the Great Recession in 2007. This increase is significant--1 in 9 seniors faced the threat of hunger in 2001, while in 2011 nearly 1 in 6 seniors were affected. The  seniors who were most vulnerable include:

●     Baby boomers (i.e. the “young old”) – 60% of seniors facing the threat of hunger

were in the 60-69 age group.

●     Grandparents living with grandchildren – Over one-third (35%) of seniors with a

grandchild present.

●     Women – 16.6% of senior women faced a threat in contrast to 13.5% of senior men.

●     Hispanic and African Americans--Faced a threat more than double that of whites.

Source: National Foundation to End Senior Hunger, 8/29/13, Senior Hunger