More and more older adults are experiencing food insecurity. It’s a growing trend across the country and in Arizona. One Tempe-based organization hopes to stem the tide.
Debra Artega is the CEO of Tempe Community Action Agency. "Our organization started in 1966 to alleviate poverty and improve quality of life," she said.
She says even before COVID-19, her group was seeing a surge in older adults needing food. TCAA operates a food pantry, as well as a Meals on Wheels program.
"And even since then, we've continued to see high numbers of older adults seeking services from our agency."
Women are at higher risk
"In most cases, it's an older adult woman who may not have had a good paying job or career when she was younger and living on a very limited income now, and housing costs continue to go up, which means that it impacts the food budget," she explains.
To the point where they have cut back on meals she says. The average monthly Social Security benefit for all Americans is just over $1,900. To calculate your benefits, visit ssa.gov/OACT/quickcalc/.
Solutions for this population are not easy, but Arteaga says her group invests in something called “prevention programming.”
"We invest financial support to help pay the rent in that short-term period, address the food security issue, address the loneliness and the stress that comes from living in poverty."
She says these prevention-based approaches are more cost-effective.
Event details
On Friday, Sept. 25, Tempe Community Action Agency will hold its annual senior breakfast gathering “Nourishing Generations: A Breakfast in Support of Seniors,” a public community meal that will raise necessary funds for the nonprofit organization’s programs and services oriented towards older adults.
It will be held at Granite Reef Senior Center, located at 1700 N. Granite Reef Road in Scottsdale.
TCAA is currently accepting both donations from the public and sponsors to support the Sept. 25 breakfast, with donations being accepted both online via the event registration link, and in person during the fundraiser itself.
