Second Harvest reports 41 percent increase in Seniors receiving food assistance

 

Second Harvest North Lakes Food Bank reports that 41 percent more seniors have received food assistance in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin this spring compared to last year. Through this year 3,798 additional seniors have received food assistance at regional food shelves as well as Second Harvest’s own direct service programs.

“Pre-Covid, we weren’t seeing as many seniors at our region’s hunger-relief programs,” shared Executive Director Shaye Morris, Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. “Since spring of last year, the number of seniors accessing food has increased dramatically and has stayed at a high level.”

To ensure seniors can access the nutritious food they need, Second Harvest has launched a campaign as part of Older Americans Month. This campaign will include promotion with the northeastern Minnesota Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) as well as other regional programs available to seniors.

“We want seniors to know that nutritious food is available in every corner of our region,” Morris shared, “We hope this campaign assists seniors who prior to now may not have sought assistance.”

The Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors operates in northeastern Minnesota and provides a monthly supply of food to income eligible seniors. Mobile Food Pantries, food shelves, and other safety net programs are also available to assist Northland seniors.

The Mobile Food Pantry Programs, a drive through program in rural communities, has always been popular with seniors and typically one-third of those receiving assistance are over age 60.

Over the last year, Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank and its network of agency partners have provided more than 1.3 million meals for northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin seniors.

*Second Harvest provides service for nearly 9000 people per month as part of its Coronavirus Food Assistance Programs. Over last year, Second Harvest distributed 7.7 million pounds of food, enough food for 6.2 million meals for those in need throughout the Northland.

Approximately 53,350 people are served throughout northeastern Minnesota (St. Louis, Carlton, Lake and Cook counties) and northwestern Wisconsin (Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron counties.)