Senior food insecurity is a rising issue across the nation. Partnerships between community organizations can help make a bigger impact on combating senior hunger.
Teaming up to tackle senior hunger
In 2018, VANTAGE’s Meals on Wheels partnered with Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services to increase SNAP awareness and enrollments.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is an underutilized resource available to many seniors in Summit County, with only 2 out of 5 eligible seniors currently enrolled in SNAP.
From September 2018 through April 2020, VANTAGE and Job and Family Services are hosting informational lunches across Summit County to teach older residents about SNAP benefits. The goal of this initiative is to break the stigma of SNAP benefits and ensure that the nutritional needs of seniors are met.
Seniors & SNAP events
Summit County Department of Job and Family Services and VANTAGE Aging aim to reach seniors across Summit County who have questions about food assistance. By hosting a series of free lunches in and around Greater Akron, residents have numerous opportunities to learn about the benefits of SNAP.
Lunch attendees hear from the experts at Job and Family Services about how to enroll, how to best utilize their benefits, and what other services are available. The open format allows individuals to bring up SNAP-related topics in a conversational setting.
The Seniors & SNAP lunches are provided through funding from the National Council on Aging and Summit County Department of Job and Family Services.
How do I get involved?
Working together creates a larger positive impact on the community. There are several ways you can get involved with the Seniors & SNAP lunches!
For organizations and groups
Do you know a group of seniors in Summit County who could benefit from learning more about SNAP benefits? You can host a lunch at your organization.
The lunch is free of charge and provided by VANTAGE Meals on Wheels. We will supply food, information, and include a presentation from experts in senior services. Call 330-253-4597 to book your Seniors & SNAP event.
For individuals
If you or someone you know is 60 or older and interested in learning more about SNAP, register for one of our free Senior & SNAP lunches. You will have the opportunity to enroll in SNAP at the event, or ask questions about your current benefits. Check this page for registration: Seniors & SNAP. You can also call VANTAGE at 330-253-4597.
*The information in this article is intended solely to provide general information on matters of interest for the personal use of the reader, who accepts full responsibility for its use. This article should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional legal, medical, or other competent advisors.