Reduce Hunger in Washington Give 5 Cans Hours $5 AARP Bulletin
Reduce Hunger in Washington, Give 5 Cans, Hours, $5 - AARP Bulletin
Each weeknight, Sylvia Mason walks the half mile from her apartment to the community center in downtown Issaquah for dinner. Her car broke down in December, and with her artificial knee and bad hip she needs to use a cane. But she hasn't missed a hot meal in years, and over that time she's gotten to know other regulars who come for a similar reason: Their fixed incomes only go so far. Mason, 67, retired more than a decade ago from her job at a medical diagnostics lab. She receives Social Security plus . She lives in low-income housing owned by the King County Housing Authority where the monthly rent jumped $35 last year. The free dinners allow her to pay for other necessities, including rent and medication. "I come here to feed myself," she said. "I only get $16 a month in food stamps, and $16 doesn't go very far." The Issaquah Meals program has been feeding the hungry for at least 20 years. It serves approximately two to three dozen people a night. Most are 35 to 54; some are homeless. But when the coordinators recently noticed an uptick in older visitors, they conducted a survey and found that one in five patrons was over 60. "Because they're living on fixed incomes, it can be very difficult," said Eileen Rasnack, manager of the "Food can sometimes be at the bottom of the list." Recent studies have found that hunger and lack of access to regular meals are growing problems among older people. In Washington, 5 percent of those 65 and older are at risk of hunger, according to Meals on Wheels. And while the number of Washingtonians receiving nutrition assistance has doubled since 2005, a last year.
, Meals on Wheels reports.
The risks are greater among African Americans, Hispanics and those with limited incomes. Meanwhile, donations to food banks and food pantries have declined while visits from hungry people are rising.
"That's staggering when you think about it," said Cheryl Reed, outreach director. "We thought we should do something collectively to address this issue."
As part of its , AARP Washington is encouraging members who participate in free AARP events—such as financial advice seminars—to bring five cans of food, donate $5, or volunteer for five hours at a food bank. AARP will forward the donations to programs such as and . To find the food bank nearest you, allows users to search for local food banks by ZIP code.
On a recent night at the Issaquah Meals program, more than 30 needy people trickle in for fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, salad, oranges and brownies, plus lemonade and coffee. Most are young, including a shy teen with a skateboard, while others are homeless or jobless, or struggling with addictions or mental illness.
After everyone receives a first helping, they're invited to eat seconds or take some food with them. Most of the younger people hoist their backpacks and leave. Mason stays to clean up and chat with a few of the other older guests, including Roy Anderson, who has been eating his dinners here for three years.
"There are times you get short on everything. These meals provide something that's essential," Anderson said. To find upcoming events where you can donate food, or to volunteer, visit the . Neal Thompson is an author and freelance writer living in Seattle.
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Give Five Donate $5 Five Cans of Food or Five Hours to Help Reduce Hunger
Nationwide 5 million people over 60 lack enough food
Related
Going Hungry in America. Food Programs Feel the Squeeze: The second in a five-part special report. What Happened to the Food Surplus?:The third in a five-part special report. Food Stamps: Poverty's Barometer: The fourth in a five-part special report. What Can We Do?: Last in a five-part special report.Each weeknight, Sylvia Mason walks the half mile from her apartment to the community center in downtown Issaquah for dinner. Her car broke down in December, and with her artificial knee and bad hip she needs to use a cane. But she hasn't missed a hot meal in years, and over that time she's gotten to know other regulars who come for a similar reason: Their fixed incomes only go so far. Mason, 67, retired more than a decade ago from her job at a medical diagnostics lab. She receives Social Security plus . She lives in low-income housing owned by the King County Housing Authority where the monthly rent jumped $35 last year. The free dinners allow her to pay for other necessities, including rent and medication. "I come here to feed myself," she said. "I only get $16 a month in food stamps, and $16 doesn't go very far." The Issaquah Meals program has been feeding the hungry for at least 20 years. It serves approximately two to three dozen people a night. Most are 35 to 54; some are homeless. But when the coordinators recently noticed an uptick in older visitors, they conducted a survey and found that one in five patrons was over 60. "Because they're living on fixed incomes, it can be very difficult," said Eileen Rasnack, manager of the "Food can sometimes be at the bottom of the list." Recent studies have found that hunger and lack of access to regular meals are growing problems among older people. In Washington, 5 percent of those 65 and older are at risk of hunger, according to Meals on Wheels. And while the number of Washingtonians receiving nutrition assistance has doubled since 2005, a last year.
, Meals on Wheels reports.
The risks are greater among African Americans, Hispanics and those with limited incomes. Meanwhile, donations to food banks and food pantries have declined while visits from hungry people are rising.
"That's staggering when you think about it," said Cheryl Reed, outreach director. "We thought we should do something collectively to address this issue."
As part of its , AARP Washington is encouraging members who participate in free AARP events—such as financial advice seminars—to bring five cans of food, donate $5, or volunteer for five hours at a food bank. AARP will forward the donations to programs such as and . To find the food bank nearest you, allows users to search for local food banks by ZIP code.
On a recent night at the Issaquah Meals program, more than 30 needy people trickle in for fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, salad, oranges and brownies, plus lemonade and coffee. Most are young, including a shy teen with a skateboard, while others are homeless or jobless, or struggling with addictions or mental illness.
After everyone receives a first helping, they're invited to eat seconds or take some food with them. Most of the younger people hoist their backpacks and leave. Mason stays to clean up and chat with a few of the other older guests, including Roy Anderson, who has been eating his dinners here for three years.
"There are times you get short on everything. These meals provide something that's essential," Anderson said. To find upcoming events where you can donate food, or to volunteer, visit the . Neal Thompson is an author and freelance writer living in Seattle.
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures