Each May, the
Administration for Community Living leads the celebration of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is Communities of Strength, recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities. As the nation confronts new realities because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, seniors across the country, and in our state, are facing unprecedented health and food access challenges.
According to Feeding America’s
State of Senior Hunger in America 2018 (using 2018 data and released in May, 2020), 5.3 million seniors (1 in every 14 seniors) are food insecure in our nation.
In South Dakota, 1 in 7 adults (14,678 people) aged 60+ face hunger in our state every day.