Battling Senior Hunger

Did you know May was Older Americans Month? The appreciation month for seniors is an annual event dating back to 1963 when President John F. Kennedy designated May as Senior Citizens Month. It was later renamed Older Americans Month and every president since Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation that the entire nation pay tribute to older persons and their contributions to our communities.

Feeding America participates in the movement by raising awareness and showing support for the 7 million seniors served by our network of food banks, the 1 in 12 seniors who face hunger in our country, and the nearly 750,000 seniors who volunteer each month at Feeding America network food pantries and meal programs across the country.

Food insecurity is particularly detrimental to seniors because of their unique nutritional needs related to aging and 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 get involved in Older Americans Month in three key ways:

• Take a picture holding a handwritten #SolveSeniorHunger sign and post to social media with the hashtag to elevate the issue.
• Organize a senior food drive to provide food and grocery items unique to senior needs.
• Tell your member of congress to support a strong Older Americans Act to provide health and nutrition services to seniors in need.

Visit FeedingAmerica.org/SolveSeniorHunger to learn more about the issue and find resources to get started Solving Senior Hunger.