AARP Announces
Major Effort to Alleviate Hunger Among America's Senior Citizens
Hunger among older
Americans a huge problem; text 'hunger' to 50555 to donate $10 to help
AARP Foundation fight senior hunger
Sept. 30, 2010 -
Between 2006 and 2008, the percentage of poor and near-poor elderly who
were hungry more than doubled - from 4.7 percent to 10.1 percent,
according to the AARP Public Policy Institute. This year, six million
older Americans will go hungry, according to AARP, which today announced
a multi-million dollar effort to help end hunger among older Americans.
The announcement
was made at Orlando@50+, AARP's national event and expo, on behalf of
AARP and its affiliated charity, AARP Foundation.
"AARP believes
no one of any age should go hungry," said Jo Ann Jenkins, AARP
Foundation president.
"Hunger among
older Americans is a huge problem, but one that, if we all work
together, is solvable. AARP and AARP Foundation are making a long-term
commitment to helping older people get nutritious food on the table so
that no one has to make the devastating choice between basic needs, like
food, housing or utilities."
Nationwide, AARP
and AARP Foundation are launching anti-hunger initiatives including
volunteer-led food drives, a major fundraising campaign, new online
hunger resources (www.aarp.org/hunger)
and local SNAP outreach and assistance. A key collaborator is
UnitedHealthcare, which has signed on to support AARP Foundation
initiatives, including awareness campaigns, volunteer mobilization
efforts and local grantmaking programs.
"Good nutrition
is essential to good health," said Tom Paul, CEO of UnitedHealthcare's
Medicare business. "As leaders in serving the health and well-being
needs of millions of Medicare beneficiaries, we have no greater priority
than in helping each and every older American live life to its
fullest. This initiative with AARP Foundation marks an important step
forward in addressing the growing problem of senior hunger, and we're
honored to be involved."
Following are
2010 campaign elements:
● Raising
Funds to Fight Hunger: Starting today, anyone can text 'hunger' to
50555 to donate $10 to help AARP Foundation fight hunger among older
Americans. AARP Foundation's text messaging campaign will be built out
in 2011 to focus on raising money to support local programs designed to
help seniors and older Americans access public benefits, connect with
local food banks and put nutritious food on the table.
● Going
Hungry in America: AARP.org has created a new online resource where
anyone interested in learning more about the problem, getting involved
or accessing resources to fight hunger among older Americans can go for
information, tips and tools to get started. Going Hungry in America is
live at
www.aarp.org/hunger.
● Activating
members and volunteers: Already this year, AARP Create The Good
volunteers have collected food for local food banks in 27 states.
Additional events are taking place through the end of the year. To raise
money for local food banks, organize a local food drive, or help a
friend or neighbor sign up for SNAP, people of all ages can visit
www.aarp.org/hunger to find tips and tools in both English and
Spanish.
●
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment: While more
than seven million older Americans are eligible for SNAP, only about
one-third – approximately 2.4 million people – actually are receiving
benefits. In communities across the country, AARP offices and AARP
Foundation volunteers are working to get older Americans enrolled in
SNAP.
● Shining a
spotlight on hunger Issues: Throughout the fall, AARP is highlighting
personal stories and the latest research on hunger in AARP publications
including AARP The Magazine, AARP Bulletin and AARP VIVA.
To learn more
about hunger among older Americans, to start or join a food drive or to
access resources, visit
www.aarp.org/hunger.
AARP Foundation
is AARP's affiliated charity. The Foundation describes itself as
dedicated to serving vulnerable people 50+ by creating solutions that
help them secure the essentials and achieve their best lif. eIt focuses
on: hunger, housing, income and isolation as our key mission areas. The
Foundation envisions: 'a country free of poverty where no older person
feels vulnerable.' Foundation programs are funded by grants,
tax-deductible contributions and AARP. For more information go to
www.aarp.org/foundation.
AARP describes
itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan social welfare organization with a
membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control
in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a
whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make
contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. It publishes
AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the
world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers;
AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and
Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated
exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and the website, AARP.org. It
has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto
Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Sept. 30, 2010 -
Between 2006 and 2008, the percentage of poor and near-poor elderly who
were hungry more than doubled - from 4.7 percent to 10.1 percent,
according to the AARP Public Policy Institute. This year, six million
older Americans will go hungry, according to AARP, which today announced
a multi-million dollar effort to help end hunger among older Americans.