Through the National Senior Nutrition Program, the Green River Area Development District partners with local senior centers to provide congregate meals to 886 individuals and home-delivered meals to another 839.
According to GRADD, that meant the organizations served 86,400 congregate meals and 157,389 home-delivered meals between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023.
According to a release from GRADD, up to half of adults over 65 are at risk of malnutrition, and more than 10 million face hunger annually nationwide.
As part of the Senior Nutrition Program network, GRADD helps older adults by promoting healthy eating, decreasing social isolation, and improving health. The program also provides connections to home and community-based services that can support independence and overall well-being.
“Our goal is to improve lives for seniors,” said GRADD’s Community Service Manager Amber Gebhard. “Not only are we working to help seniors with their physical health and preventing hunger, but with their mental health and staying social. Meals provide an opportunity for seniors to socialize, whether at the senior centers or with the person bringing them their meals and checking in on them.”
GRADD is celebrating the National Senior Nutrition Program’s anniversary alongside the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and senior nutrition service providers this month.
Since 1972, the Senior Nutrition Program has supported nutrition services for older adults. Funded by the Older Americans Act, local senior nutrition programs are hubs for older adults (60 and older) to access nutritious meals and other vital services that strengthen social connections and promote health and well-being.
