Pasadena Senior Center food distribution (Photo – Peter Matus)
Due to economic downturns and inflation in recent years. more than five million older Americans face food insecurity – limited or uncertain access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
By News Desk
The Pasadena Senior Center offers free food distribution once a month to local seniors whose monthly incomes does not stretch far enough to purchase food for the entire month. “Seventeen percent of adults 60 and older in the Pasadena area live below the federal poverty line,” said Akila Gibbs. executive director of the Pasadena Senior Center. “The monthly food distribution program is our way of taking the burden off older adults.”
The latest food distribution event took place on Nov. 4 from 8:30 to 10:30 am at the parking lot east of the Pasadena Senior Center (85 E. Holly St., Pasadena between the center and the Memorial Park Metro station).
Low-income adults, 60 and older, lined up with personal pull-behind carts to receive free food that will help meet their nutritional needs through the end of the month. Volunteers providing boxes of food that included cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, dry milk and related dairy products, cereals and other grain products, and more.
“Older adults who are hungry may suffer from serious discomfort, pain, weakness, illness and depression due to involuntary lack of nutritious food for an extended period,” said Akila Gibbs, “Our monthly food distribution program is our way of helping these adults thrive.”
Each older adult also received a $15 complimentary gift card for the purchase of protein-based fresh foods at local grocery stores.
The food is provided by the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in partnership with the Pasadena Senior Center. Food distribution takes place the first Friday of every month. Each older adult must pre-register with proof of income and a California ID.
The team (Photo – Peter Matus)
That’s awesome.