CARROLLTON, Ohio — Each month, around 20 seniors aged 60 and older pick up food boxes at the Carrollton Senior Friendship Center. However, many more could benefit from this program if food boxes were delivered straight to their homes.
These food boxes are part of the Federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program, designed to help seniors who qualify. Jo Albright, 79, is one of the recipients. “I call it the senior box. It helps me have food coming in,” she says. Albright emphasizes that the program is crucial for those like her who are on fixed incomes. “A lot of us really need this help,” she adds.
Kevin Martin, who also collects food boxes, points out that some seniors avoid picking them up due to the stigma attached to seeking help. “They see it as charity,” he explains. Additionally, transportation poses a challenge in rural Carroll County, where many seniors don’t drive or find long trips impractical. “It’s quite a journey to places like Sherrodsville or Amsterdam,” Martin notes.
In response to these challenges, Ohio Sen. Jon Husted has proposed the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act. If passed, this law would launch a three-year pilot program to deliver food boxes directly to seniors homes, allocating $10 million annually for the effort. Organizations like the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank are ready to use delivery services, such as DoorDash, to bring these boxes to senior citizens.
Tonya Myers, the director at Carrollton Senior Friendship Center, believes that removing the need to pick up food in person could greatly improve access. “We could reach so many more people this way,” she says.
Marisa Wren from the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank highlights that older adults in Ohio face significant food insecurity. “Any additional access we can provide would be really instrumental,” she states.
Greg Lawson from the Buckeye Institute shares a cautious outlook on the program. “While I’m optimistic, it’s important we carefully manage the finances to ensure it serves those who truly need it,” he advises.
For Martin, the proposed delivery service could be a game-changer for rural seniors. “Any program that helps get food to elderly people living far away is a good program,” he concludes.
Delivering food directly to seniors who can’t easily access it could not only combat hunger but also help enhance their overall well-being. For context, food insecurity is a growing concern across the U.S., with over 5 million older adults facing challenges in accessing sufficient food according to recent statistics.
By addressing these issues head-on, communities can create a lasting impact on the lives of their elderly population.
For more information on food assistance programs, visit USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
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