FEEDING SENIORS

Today, one in eight Americans is over age 65, By the year 2030, the U.S. Census Bureau predicts the number will be one in five, which equates to 57.8 million “baby boomers.”

As the senior population grows, so does annual health care expenditures. In 2004, the average expenditure on health care for baby boomers was $2,695. By the year 2015, the expected expenditure will reach $4,889.

The number of seniors living on a limited or fixed income will also continue to rise as they are spending more on health care, which means an increasing number of seniors on the brink of poverty. Many seniors, roughly 36% according to the Census Bureau, have had to choose between buying food and paying for medical care or medicine. These numbers are expected to grow significantly as we continue to see higher food, fuel and utility costs.

More than 20 percent of the members of households, or 5,000 individuals, served by Second Harvest are 65 years or older. Second Harvest is addressing the needs of seniors in our area by its network of agencies such as food pantries, senior centers and on-site feeding programs.

Second Harvest also feeds seniors through the Commodities Supplemental Feeding Program (CSFP) food boxes. Roughly, 400 seniors receive the CSFP program each month from Second Harvest. CSFP is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state of Missouri and distributed to eligible Missouri seniors every month. A CSFP box contains 35 pounds of canned protein, juice, vegetables, fruit and cereal.