Seniors Being Hungry is a Nationwide Epidemic

“More than 10 million older adults are at risk of hunger every day,” says Emily Allen, senior vice president of Programs for AARP Foundation. “Older adults who are food insecure are 50 percent more likely to have diabetes and 60 percent more likely to have congestive heart failure. Research shows that food insecurity costs older adults in the U.S. an estimated $130 billion annually in additional health care expenses. So, senior hunger is not just an individual issue — it is an issue that has implications for families, communities and society.”.

Western Eagle Foundation mission clearly states “today the Sieja family carries on the legacy of being a caring community partner that feeds those in need”.

Western Eagle Foundation offers Senior Discounts every Tuesday, up to 20% off on all food and other goods. Seniors may use their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) cards to not only purchase food from the bargain store, but also to purchase a food box. Because nutrition is so important, food boxes are usually filled with cereal, pasta and sauce, easy to eat canned vegetables and fruits, rice and beans, along with fresh bread, fruits and vegetables to be selected and used to make delicious meals. Additionally, Dara Tovar, Medicare Benefits Consultant is usually on-site every Tuesday.

Seniors Being Hungry is a Nationwide Epidemic

To understand the concept of seniors being hungry, you must understand what it means to be “food insecure.” When you are food insecure, it means that there is “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways,” as defined by a study published in The Journal of Nutrition. Essentially, it means that you aren’t receiving and/or don’t have access to the necessary foods and nutrients to help sustain your life.

One of our programs is the Western Eagle Community Food Bank, open to all nonprofit organizations who want to pick up bulk food pallets and be able to distribute to food insecure seniors, veterans, military, and low-income families in outlying communities of Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. Todd Sieja, CEO, buys directly from food brokers and major food distribution centers, then sends trucks to pick up inventory and stores in the Western Eagle Foundation refrigerators and freezers. Nonprofit organizations register with Serena Cooper at Western Eagle (951-541-8571) and then are notified when bulk food pallets are available to pick up each Thursday. Each pallet is 1200 pounds of food stock, both non-perishable and/or refrigerated or frozen foods. Each agency must bring their own truck or van to pick up food and are limited to a maximum of 4 pallets.

Does your agency need a special stock of canned vegetables or non-perishable staples that you cannot find on the shelves at your local sources and/or you are limited by how many cans of green beans you can buy? Western Eagle Foundation would like to help your agency and can place that order for you at low cost. Please contact Todd Sieja (760-284-2103) for special orders and he will be happy to assist you. We are all working hard to help feed those in need, especially during this time of recession and high food costs.

According to AARP, there are many things that living alone can do to spur food insecurity, such as not having someone else to help get food from the store if you’re lacking mobility and cook it for you.

Rotary Club of Temecula answered the call and as part of their philanthropy work began buying food for low-income seniors and delivering to house bound seniors on a monthly basis. The Rotarians also include fans for hot weather months, blankets for cold weather, and holiday celebrations.