Wolf Administration Improves Access to Pennsylvania Senior Food Box Program, Encourages Enrollment
05/19/2021
Phoenixville, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Aging Secretary Robert Torres today joined seniors at Kings Terrace to announce steps to increase access to Pennsylvania s Senior Food Boxes, a supplemental food program available free to lower income seniors. Giving the program a new name and removing proof of income requirements are among the barriers to participation the state is removing, with the goal of encouraging seniors to take advantage of the program.
Formally known as Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the program previously required seniors to provide documented proof of their income when they applied to receive a food box. The new procedure requires only a statement of income.
Each May, the
Administration for Community Living leads the celebration of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is Communities of Strength, recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities. As the nation confronts new realities because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, seniors across the country, and in our state, are facing unprecedented health and food access challenges.
According to Feeding America’s
State of Senior Hunger in America 2018 (using 2018 data and released in May, 2020), 5.3 million seniors (1 in every 14 seniors) are food insecure in our nation.
In South Dakota, 1 in 7 adults (14,678 people) aged 60+ face hunger in our state every day.
Today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living is releasing $1.4 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan for Older Americans Act programs, including programs to support vaccine outreach and coordination, address social isolation, provide family caregiver support, and offer nutrition support. It will also fund justice programs to ensure the safety and protection of older adults.
The funding will be distributed as follows:
$750 million for meals for older adults. With this funding for Older Americans Act nutrition programs, states will be able to continue home-delivered meals as well as “drive-through” or “grab-and-go” meals for older adults who typically would participate in meal programs at community centers that have been closed due to the pandemic. It will also allow states to re-open meal program locations safely that might have closed during the pandemic.