Our project will buy a new truck to deliver over a million meals to older Americans. We have been feeding hungry homebound seniors and the disabled since 1974. Every day our truck is filled with hundreds (350-500) of hot meals from the kitchen and brought to the caring volunteers who will deliver them. The truck has served us well for 20 years - until now. It breaks down - a lot - and there are too many vulnerable citizens relying on us to put meal delivery at risk.
Hunger and malnutrition is an alarming problem for U.S. seniors. 11.4% of those over 65 experience food insecurity each year. The Mayo Clinic states that along with financial limitations, physical, social and psychological factors contribute to senior hunger. They often have to choose between paying for medicines or paying for groceries. Others have debilitating conditions that impede their ability to shop and prepare meals. Seniors who live in isolation are significantly more prone to hunger.
Bringing hot, nutritious meals to hundreds of vulnerable citizens throughout the Tri-Cities area of Alameda County (Bay Area), California assures three things: 1. Their hunger is abated; 2. They have regular human connection; 3. They are given a daily well-check. A reliable truck to bring the fresh meals from the kitchen each morning is key to the entire process.
There are no neighborhoods without seniors; and none without seniors at high risk of hunger and isolation. We address that. By doing so, their safety, health and quality of life is increased. As a result, our neighborhoods are stronger and...the public tax burden and Medi-Cal and Medicare costs are drastically decreased!
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
