SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CA – As housing and healthcare costs climb, poverty among older Americans has surged to 15 percent—the only age group to see an increase, according to U.S Census Bureau data. In San Luis Obispo County, where seniors make up 28 percent of the population, hunger is becoming a visible and growing reality for our older neighbors.
Barriers such as social isolation, transportation hurdles, and technology gaps prevent many older neighbors from accessing the help they deserve. Consequently, only about 12 percent of eligible seniors in San Luis Obispo County are currently enrolled in CalFresh to help pay for their groceries. This lack of consistent access to nourishment increases the risk of malnutrition, chronic illness, and mental health challenges for seniors.
“If not for this food [from the SLO Food Bank], I would not be able to pay my mortgage during retirement,” one neighbor shared with the SLO Food Bank recently.
The SLO Food Bank is working to bridge this gap by informing seniors about programs specifically tailored to meet their nutritional needs. Through their Senior Home Delivery Program, groceries are brought directly to homebound seniors in partnership with Ride-On Transportation. Additionally, monthly Seniors’ Farmers’ Markets provide free, fresh produce to low-income seniors at local housing complexes and mobile home parks. The SLO Food Bank’s CalFresh Outreach team also helps educate seniors about CalFresh and the application process to sign up for benefits.
“Seniors in our community are having to make impossible choices every day,” said Molly Kern, CEO of the SLO Food Bank. “We are hearing from older neighbors who are struggling to cover their rent or mortgage, skipping meals just to make ends meet, or losing their entire food budget to a single unexpected medical bill. The SLO Food Bank is here to ensure they receive the nourishment they need to maintain their health, dignity, and independence.”
The SLO Food Bank encourages any senior experiencing food insecurity to contact them at 805-238-4664 or visit findfoodslo.org to be connected to resources and support near them.