Feeding Food Insecure Senior Citizens
LoLo's Plaza Stories: Chapter One
In our community of abundance, where big homes and full pantries are the norm, the hidden reality of food insecurity among senior citizens is heartbreaking. Over the last 15 months, I’ve witnessed this firsthand at The Plaza, a 55+ community where many live on limited incomes, relying solely on Social Security.
It all began in October 2023 when I met Cathy, a Plaza resident, at a church meeting. She shared the challenges faced by her neighbors—seniors in their 70s, 80s, and beyond, many with disabilities—who often struggled to afford food. Moved by her story, I decided to help, starting with a Thanksgiving meal for 48 residents.
What seemed like a small act quickly revealed a much larger need. Residents shared their struggles, from a discontinued food truck to surviving on $16 in monthly food assistance. That night, I went home to my well-stocked pantry, unable to shake the realization: these seniors were food insecure, and I had the resources to help.
I started small with “Blessing Bags,” filled with simple, nutritious ingredients for a meal. But as the demand grew—from 34 bags to over 140 residents—I realized this was only the beginning. Through a partnership with Amazing Grace Food Pantry, we scaled up. Today, we distribute over 4,000 pounds of food monthly, transforming the way we support our seniors.
Our onsite “store” allows residents to “shop” for free groceries, and we deliver food to homebound seniors. What began as a modest effort has grown into a lifeline for this community. Yet, we still have more to do—100 residents remain underserved.
This journey takes a village. Your support can help us expand our reach, ensuring every senior at The Plaza feels seen, supported, and nourished. Together, we can rewrite this story—one bag, one meal, one life at a time.
In our community of abundance, where big homes and full pantries are the norm, the hidden reality of food insecurity among senior citizens is heartbreaking. Over the last 15 months, I’ve witnessed this firsthand at The Plaza, a 55+ community where many live on limited incomes, relying solely on Social Security.
It all began in October 2023 when I met Cathy, a Plaza resident, at a church meeting. She shared the challenges faced by her neighbors—seniors in their 70s, 80s, and beyond, many with disabilities—who often struggled to afford food. Moved by her story, I decided to help, starting with a Thanksgiving meal for 48 residents.
What seemed like a small act quickly revealed a much larger need. Residents shared their struggles, from a discontinued food truck to surviving on $16 in monthly food assistance. That night, I went home to my well-stocked pantry, unable to shake the realization: these seniors were food insecure, and I had the resources to help.
I started small with “Blessing Bags,” filled with simple, nutritious ingredients for a meal. But as the demand grew—from 34 bags to over 140 residents—I realized this was only the beginning. Through a partnership with Amazing Grace Food Pantry, we scaled up. Today, we distribute over 4,000 pounds of food monthly, transforming the way we support our seniors.
Our onsite “store” allows residents to “shop” for free groceries, and we deliver food to homebound seniors. What began as a modest effort has grown into a lifeline for this community. Yet, we still have more to do—100 residents remain underserved.
This journey takes a village. Your support can help us expand our reach, ensuring every senior at The Plaza feels seen, supported, and nourished. Together, we can rewrite this story—one bag, one meal, one life at a time.
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