Nine percent of those served by Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin food shelves are seniors over the age of 65, according to Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. It’s a number they say is too low considering the Northland’s population of seniors and need in the region.
“When we look at the sheer numbers of people over age 65 in the Northland, nearly 61,000, and our region’s food insecurity and poverty rate, it appears some seniors may be falling through the cracks,” said Shaye Moris, Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. “We want to make sure seniors have access to the food they need so they can lead healthy lives and thrive in the communities we serve.
“Research shows that food insecure seniors are at increased risk for chronic health conditions like depression, heart attack, asthma, and congestive heart failure,” Moris said.
As the region’s only “food bank,” Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank rescues and distributes food to over 42 partner food shelves throughout NE Minnesota (St. Louis, Carlton, Lake and Cook counties) and NW Wisconsin (Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron counties) which distribute food in their local communities.
For more information about senior hunger, visit www.northernlakesfoodbank.org or www.feedingamerica.org.
Leave a Reply