Collaborating to Address Senior Hunger

/
CalFresh Task Force February Meeting

CalFresh Task Force February Meeting

From lack of transportation to isolation, seniors across the U.S. face distinct challenges to make ends meet. In San Diego, the high cost of living adds an extra burden for our local elders -- and aging in place is especially difficult. Data from the Insight Center for Community Economic Development shows that a San Diego County senior needs to bring in $2,034 each month simply to cover minimum basic expenses such as housing, food and healthcare. A shocking 42 percent of older adults (65+) in San Diego County do not have enough income to meet their most basic needs.  

CalFresh, a monthly supplement to a household’s food budget, can help seniors access the food they need. Based on income, seniors can receive $16 to $196 per month for food. Unfortunately, while many San Diego County seniors are eligible for CalFresh, few enroll in this vital program.

To address this disconnect, San Diego Hunger Coalition’s CalFresh Task Force dedicated its first quarterly meeting of the year to building bridges between organizations that serve seniors and agencies that provide CalFresh application assistance. On February 25, 2016, representatives from Aging and Independence Services, Meals on Wheels, Dreams for Change, and the County Health & Human Services Agency joined the Task Force meeting to discuss opportunities for partnership to help more seniors get CalFresh.

The conversation will continue at the March regional CalFresh Task Force meetings.  

Does your organization help seniors? We’d love you to join us for a CalFresh Task Force meeting to learn and share your ideas. Our March 2016 regional meetings will take place at the following locations:

  • South San Diego: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 2:30 p.m.
    Chula Vista Community Collaborative at New Directions FRC (Rice Elementary), 915 Fourth Ave, Chula Vista, 91911
  • East San Diego: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.
    Mountain Health and Community Services, 1620 Alpine Blvd Suite 211, Alpine, 91901
  • Central San Diego: Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. 
    BAME Community Development Corporation, 3085 K Street, San Diego, 92102
  • North San Diego: Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. 
    Community Resource Center, 650 Second Street, Encinitas, 92024