Catholic Charities of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties

APPLE VALLEY CA – In the United States of America no senior citizen should go hungry. Regrettably, hunger among our elderly population is a growing crisis. Hunger rates have more than doubled for low-income seniors in the United States in recent years. For older Americans especially, hunger and malnutrition can completely undo any investments or advances our Nation might make in its attempts to provide better access to health care. Slipping through the cracks, these seniors are at dire risk for health related problems such as diabetes, kidney problems, and high blood pressure.

As Dr. Mark Lachs of Cornell University has noted, “Easily treatable illnesses that could have been quickly (and
inexpensively) handled at home… instead [evolve] into complicated and costly episodes of disability that at best
[lead] to costly hospitalization and at worse… to indefinite nursing home residence, often as a last resort.”

In an effort to intervene, Catholic Charities’ Family & Community Services (FCS) Department has initiated a pilot program in the High Desert Region of San Bernardino County (Apple Valley, Victorville, Lucerne Valley, Adelanto, and Hesperia) to directly address this problem.

The “High Desert Senior Food Distribution Program,” started in 2010, has now grown to almost 20 clients ranging from age 58 to 82. Since its inception the program has provided supplemental food service to more than 75 seniors but can only serve 20 at any given time. The case managers check-in with clients every two weeks to keep up on diets and other health related concerns. To be eligible for this program the seniors must live on fixed incomes, be homebound, and have no driving ability or community help.

It is estimated that as many as 46.9% of seniors age 65 and older… don’t have enough income cover minimum needs based on the cost of living . . . (mydesert.com)

The “High Desert Senior Food Distribution Program” is run with seven volunteers. Tasks include: food delivery; shopping; check-in; and taking food orders over the phone. The food delivery occurs once a month. The goal is to increase the food delivery to every 2 weeks. The recipients receive a full array of food: meat; milk; vegetables; and fruit.

“Their situation is heartbreaking because most of us have choices on what we can eat, however these seniors do not have choices. Some of the recipients only have $7 to $9 left over for food, after their basic living expenses are paid. If they receive social security, they cannot qualify for food stamps – since the Social Security Administration considers this to be double dipping,” says Alejandra Diaz, High Desert Regional Coordinator for FCS. “They cry, they hug you when you come. They say how did you know we have had nothing to eat? You are like angels.”

One such recipient, in a letter dated August 2, 2011, expressed his gratitude by writing, “I am in thankful appreciation for the food supplies that you provide that allow my family and I to live with dignity. Without the help of Catholic Charities we would be living on a diet of rice.” Continuing on he stated “I provide a list of food items that I need and you fill that list with as much as you are able to fill. I and my wife are physically disabled and it is difficult for us to shop at a supermarket, and the convenience of home delivery is greatly appreciated.”

“We are constantly looking for ways to positively impact the community. Providing adequate food to elderly Americans who are struggling to make ends meet is a vital service that will ensure that our deserving elderly population is not forgotten.” According to Ken F. Sawa, CEO of Catholic Charities, “This program is a shining example of Catholic Charities' proactive approach to address a crisis as it unfolds. Sadly, it is foreseeable that the need will only become greater moving forward as the emerging Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age and incomes become fixed or reduced."

The Catholic Charities’ “High Desert Senior Food Distribution Program” depends on volunteers and donations. If you are interested in getting involved please call Beverly Earl at (909) 388-1239, x308. The “High Desert Senior Food Distribution Program” headquarters is located at 16051 Kasota Rd., Ste. 700, Apple Valley 92307.