Seniors in Texas are among the worst off in a new report ranking states by level of food security. While hunger is a problem usually associated with extreme poverty and children, the reality is we’ve got millions of seniors in the U.S. who are going hungry.
Seniors are the hidden hungry in our country
In Texas, more than 18 percent of seniors face the threat of hunger.
“These are truly people who are wondering where their next meal is going to come from and they are insecure about the notion that they might not have food,” says Enid Borden, president of the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger.
Texas is ranked #7 (as worst) in a new report that lists the ten states in America with the highest rate of senior hunger.
“Now what that means,” Borden says, “is it’s one of the worst states in the country for senior hunger.”
In part, that’s because of Texas demographics. We have a large population of minorities, seniors, and baby boomers – all groups more likely to be food insecure.
“These are the people who live next door to us, we just don’t know their hungry. They are hidden behind closed doors, or they’re not going to food banks, they’re not using food stamps or snap benefits, they are proud, they think of it as a handout and in fact it is not a handout it is a helping hand.”
Borden says those most vulnerable are the ‘young old’ those aged sixty to sixty-nine. So talk to your parents, as well as your grandparents about whether they’re getting enough to eat.
North Texas Food Bank Resources
*For a complete list check out the North Texas Food Bank website.
Tarrant Area Food Bank
2600 Cullen Street; Fort Worth, TX 76107
817-332-9177
Denton Community Food Center
109 W. Sycamore St; Denton, TX 76201
940-382-0807
FBC Allen Food Pantry
201 East McDermott Drive; Allen, TX 75002
972-727-8241
Brother Bill’s Helping Hand
3906 N. Westmoreland; Dallas, TX 75212
214-638-2196
