SENIOR HUNGER

Thousands of New Mexican seniors are faced with terrible choices. Many live on low fixed incomes that do not cover their expenses. They may have outlived their retirement, had to retire early or live on Social Security. All are at risk of hunger as they struggle to pay for their rent, utilities, medicine and purchase food.  Each year, 21,000 seniors seek emergency food from Roadrunner Food Bank.

Seniors are among the most physically vulnerable to hunger. With age come unique nutritional needs and medical conditions. Hunger and the lack of access to nutritious foods compromise their health.  Hunger deteriorates their mental and physical well being. Chronic illnesses worsen with hunger and leave seniors at risk for increased long term care needs and hospitalization.

The recent report Faces of Hunger in New Mexico 2005 found that the numbers of seniors needing food assistance increased by more than 10,000 in four years. Almost half of the seniors surveyed reported that they regularly struggled to get enough food and 11.5 percent reported going without food regularly.

Roadrunner Food Bank‘s Healthy Seniors program targets access to food for seniors and the need to provide food for their unique nutritional needs. By 2009, Roadrunner Food Bank’s goal is to increase our overall distribution statewide to 18 million pounds to help meet the needs of all our vulnerable populations. 

Mobile Pantries – Roadrunner Food Bank’s mobile pantry program is helping seniors stay healthy and independent.  Lacking transportation and resources, many seniors are dependent upon families and friends to stock their shelves. Roadrunner delivers fresh produce, bread, and dairy products to area senior housing complexes and senior centers on a monthly basis.  Many New Mexican seniors are located in rural areas and in outlying portions of the state.  By 2009, our goal is to deliver much needed foods to housing complexes in rural areas and all the tribal senior centers in New Mexico. 

Senior Helpings – Roadrunner Food Bank’s Senior Helpings program provides a monthly supplemental food box with enough diet specific foods for 30 meals to 1,250 medically frail seniors. Each Basic, High Protein/High Calorie and Diabetic box contains enough supplemental foods for a month.  Boxes are delivered to homebound seniors with fresh foods including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, breads and meats.  By 2009, Roadrunner Food Bank’s goal is to increase distribution of these boxes to 1,500 seniors monthly.    

To learn more about how you can help end hunger and help New Mexico’s seniors, please contact Art Fine, Director of Programs at 247-2052, ext 124.