Lifestyles
National study reveals the reality of senior hunger in Texas
By Meals on Wheels of Texoma
Dec 21, 2009

Denison, Texas, November 20, 2009 – The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) recently released a groundbreaking study entitled “Senior Hunger in the United States: Differences across States and Rural and Urban Areas.” 

A follow-up to the landmark 2008 report entitled “The Causes, Consequences and Future of Senior Hunger in America,” the national research study examines senior hunger on a state-by-state level and provides substantial evidence that the number of seniors facing the threat of hunger in America is growing at an alarming rate. 

In fact, senior hunger is even growing right here in Texas.

The findings indicate that Texas ranks  Fourth (4^th) out of America’s 50 senior hunger states.  To make matters worse, the rate of food insecurity among seniors living in Texas is 8.9% .

In response to this enormous and complicated problem, Meals On Wheels programs across the country have simply taken a pledge at www.mowaa.org/pledge to join a national movement to end senior hunger by 2020. 

“We are so disturbed and appalled to learn that so many seniors are going to hungry in Texas and around the country,” said Kathey Scott, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Texoma.  “At our Meals On Wheels program, we work every day to provide our clients not only with nutritious meal, but also with companionship.  Our program has pledged to join the national movement to end senior hunger by 2020 and we want everyone in the tri- county area to do the same.  The need is great and now more so than ever is the time for all Americans to step up to the plate.”

Each of the Meals on Wheels Senior Centers in the Texoma area need volunteers to help deliver meals.  One hour one day per week or month is a great help.  YOU can make a difference TODAY!

Donations

are always welcome and help to fund the 44,520 meals we provide above the State and Federal funding level.

This national movement comes at a good time, as the study shows that about 700,000 more seniors faced the threat of hunger in 2007 than did in 2001.   Seniors residing in the South are at greatest risk. 

“We released our first study a year ago and now the most recent research has found that there are 20% more seniors facing the threat of hunger in America.  It is a travesty that in this, the richest nation on Earth, our seniors are going to bed hungry,” said Enid A. Borden, President and CEO of MOWAA.  “Hunger is a disease, but we have the cure to end senior hunger today.  We just need the leadership and the courage to get it done.”

The study, underwritten by the Harrah’s Foundation, was conducted by Co-Principal Investigators Dr. James P. Ziliak, Professor of Economics and the Director of the Center for Poverty Research at the University of Kentucky and Dr. Craig Gundersen, Associate Professor at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois. 

Research Study (Brief Summary): “Senior Hunger in the United States: Differences across States and Rural and Urban Areas”: http://www.mowaa.org/Document.Doc?id=195

Research Study (Full Text): “Senior Hunger in the United States: Differences across States and Rural and Urban Areas”:

http://www.mowaa.org/Document.Doc?id=193

Research Study (Appendices): “Senior Hunger in the United States: Differences across States and Rural and Urban Areas”:

http://www.mowaa.org/Document.Doc?id=194

Meals On Wheels B-Roll: http://thenextmeal.org/broll.htm

CONTACT:    For further information, please call Kathey Scott at 903.786.3351 , 1.877.900.3351
or by email at kscott@mealsonwheelstexoma.org

Meals on Wheels of Texoma

www.mealsonwheelstexoma.org

About Meals On Wheels Association of America:

© Copyright 2002-2005 by North Texas e-News, llc.