Senior Food Insecurity Persists Year Round

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     Food insecurity for seniors is a tragedy that is widely recognized during the holidays, despite the fact that is occurs throughout the year. On their webpage, Oregonhunger.org, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon state that "Between 2013 and 2015, Oregon was the only state to see an increase in food insecurity and hunger, even as the national rate declined and Oregon’s economy grew." Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon explain that there are "interconnected factors influence [ones] food security status". These factors can include but are not limited to physical mobility, stable/permanent housing, housing location, and access to services such as SNAP benefits, food pantries and transportation systems. Unfortunately, these interconnected factors that drive food insecurity persist year round, though they can seem especially unfortunate during the season of joy. The persistence of these factors is partly due to their ties to a steady and sufficient income. This necessary income flow is something that our senior citizens are at a high risk of not having. The Oregon Food Bank reports that nearly 20% of their services are utilized by seniors (classified as individuals over the age of 65) and America's Health Rankings reports that in Oregon a staggering 7.3% of seniors are living within or below 100% of the poverty threshold.
   Thankfully, there are steps that any citizen can take to impact food security for our seniors! No matter the amount of time, money, physical ability, or recourses you have available, there are numerous ways you can use your abilities to impact your community! For example, Meals on Wheels People report that they "produce 5,700 hot, nutritious meals five days each week" in Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties and that NONE of it would be possible without their wide range of volunteers. Meals on Wheels People alone have volunteer opportunities that range from Meal Delivery, dining center opportunities (such as preparing and serving meals), helping run/setup/tear down special events, and cash donation options. With a task for everyone, it is easy to get involved and make an immediate positive impact! During this season of giving I encourage you to dedicate yourself to help diminish senior food insecurity year round! Every person can make an impact!

 Author: Rachel Hill

Resources:
"Changing people's lives, one volunteer at a time." Volunteer - Meals on Wheels People. Accessed November 20, 2017. https://www.mealsonwheelspeople.org/volunteer/ https://oregonhunger.org/blog/finding-food-security-portland
https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/about-us/our-story/ https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/2016-senior-report/measure/poverty_sr/state/OR

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