Summit County, Ohio (June 12, 2018): VANTAGE Aging is hosting the Senior Health & Services Fair this Wednesday, June 13 from 10:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. The event includes services geared towards senior health and a farmers’ market. With over 600 in attendance annually, this is the first year the Fair will be held at VANTAGE’s new location on Romig Road.
“It’s no secret that you cannot live a full life when you are hungry,” noted VANTAGE President & CEO Karen Hrdlicka. “Our goal at VANTAGE is to ensure that our community’s most vulnerable receive the nutrition and health services they need to age in place successfully. Seniors are a valuable asset to our community and with small supports, they can continue to contribute positive results in a variety of ways.”
Senior food insecurity is an issue that stretches across the nation. A 2016 report by Feeding America and National Foundation to End Senior Hunger revealed that 4.9 million seniors are food insecure, meaning they do not have access to a sufficient amount of affordable, nutritious food.
In Ohio alone, 17.6% of seniors struggle with hunger and 28.5% of seniors live in or near poverty. Through the Senior Health & Services Fair and the Farmers’ Market Voucher Program, VANTAGE aims to reduce the number of seniors struggling to get the nutrition necessary to live independently and remain active in the community.
In addition to an on-site farmers’ market, the Health Fair will include vendors providing services geared towards senior health. The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and sponsors such as SummaCare, Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging, CareSource, and Summit County Probate Court will be present, among other organizations.
To learn more about the Senior Health & Services Fair, visit the webpage or call 330-253-4597.
Farmers’ Market
VANTAGE Meals on Wheels oversees the Ohio Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program vouchers for Summit County and Stark/Wayne Counties. The vouchers will be distributed at the Senior Health & Services Fair.
The Ohio Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program encourages seniors to make healthy food choices for improved health. Farmers’ market vouchers are designed to help seniors get fresh fruits and vegetables as an important part of federal dietary guidelines.
Older adults age 60 and older that meet income guidelines may qualify for $50 worth of coupons to be used at local farmers’ markets for fresh produce, herbs, and honey grown locally.
Vouchers can be used at the VANTAGE Senior Health & Services Fair or at participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Look for the senior farmers’ market (SFMNP) poster when shopping.
Farmers’ market voucher applications for Summit and Stark/Wayne Counties are available online.
There are separate applications for Summit County and Stark/Wayne Counties. Stark/Wayne County applications may be mailed in. Eligible applicants will receive their vouchers in the mail.
Those residing in Summit County must bring their application to the VANTAGE Senior Health & Services Fair. If homebound, seniors can choose someone trustworthy to be their personal shopper (proxy) to pick up the coupons at the Fair.
Free Rides to Health Fair
Seniors can get free a ride to the VANTAGE Health Fair through Akron METRO. Individuals must print a flier available on VANTAGE Aging’s website and show it to the bus operator. Fliers are available here.
The free ride is not valid with METRO SCAT, Call-A-Bus or NCX Routes.
Sponsorships
Sponsorships for the VANTAGE Senior Health & Services Fair are available and provide marketing perks including social media promotions, a table at the event, a logo and website link on VANTAGE Aging’s Resource Page, and more. Sponsoring the event puts your brand in front of over 600 older adults and caregivers.
Sponsorship information is available on the VANTAGE website. Discounts are available to those who sponsor more than one VANTAGE Aging event. Learn more by calling the Director of Community Engagement at 330-253-4597.
About VANTAGE Aging
VANTAGE Aging (formerly Mature Services) provides high-quality programs to empower the economic, social, physical, and mental well-being of adults as they age. Our programs include Home Wellness Solutions, Behavioral Health Solutions including mental health counseling and treatment for alcohol and other drug use issues, job training, home-delivered and congregate meals, and volunteer opportunities. Founded in 1975 as a senior citizen program, it has since become an independent, nationally respected organization with offices throughout the state. For more information, visit vantageaging.org.