news-record.com

As we plan for Thanksgiving, let’s remember that every day people go hungry in our area.

It is estimated that 12,767 people in Guilford County may fall under poverty levels or near those levels in 2010.

This has a great effect on our senior population.

Even now, an estimated 19.5 percent of older adults live in poverty in Guilford County. By 2010, there will be about 65,474 seniors ages 60 and older living here.

About 7,300 grandparents are raising 6,000 grandchildren younger than 18.

Food Assistance Inc.’s Groceries on Wheels, established in 2003 to serve 20 people, serves about 420 low-income seniors each month.
Offered are groceries, friendship and hope to improve the health and wellness of low-income seniors in Guilford County.

“We have an aging population who have poured into and supported our community,” said Jane Carlson, founder and executive director of Food Assistance.

“Now, the community needs to help our low-income seniors, as many have aged out of the work force and cannot change their economic situation.”

“Treating our neighbor as we would wish to be treated and helping those who cannot help themselves is the universal common good,” Carlson said.

With many assisted grandparents raising their grandchildren, Carlson said, “We are not only helping this generation, but our future generations.”

Considerations for the Food Assistance program are:

• Age
• Disability
• No family able to assist
• Does not receive mobile meals
• Lack of food stamps
• Recipient does not drive or have transportation

Potential recipients must be interviewed at home before being accepted. They should be able to prepare their own meals or have a caregiver who assists them.

Carlson said there is a long list of people seeking food assistance.
The organization is volunteer-driven, with more than 100 volunteers and various groups coming together to help with food organization and deliveries.

Volunteers are the heart of the program, and they are encouraged to develop a relationship with their participants. They have small delivery routes and see the same people each month.

Food Assistance volunteers deliver only groceries. The group is different from Mobile Meals, which delivers prepared meals.

The organization receives referrals from social agencies, medical and health care facilities, in-home care agencies and faith congregations.

The Groceries on Wheels program provides food that needs to be prepared.

Another program. Angel Food on Wheels, is a prepaid food program in which high-quality food is provided for dramatically discounted costs. There are no income qualifications for the program.

Food Assistance’s board of directors and volunteers are passionate about connecting Guilford County low-income seniors and the disabled with community volunteers. Carlson feels this connection enriches the lives of both groups, opens lines of communication and breaks down social and racial barriers.

Lauren Haldeman is nutrition director of the organization and an associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in the department of nutrition at UNCG.

“I believe in the mission of providing food, friendship and hope to improve the health and wellness of low-income seniors,” said Haldeman, a four-year board member.

“I have witnessed first-hand how Jane Carlson’s work has affected the lives of so many. To work with someone so devoted to the community is a pleasure, and I plan to continue my work with Food Assistance well into the future.”

Dan Jones, retired Guilford County school principal and vice chairman/board member for four years, said, “For us, there is a never-ending quest to find funding and food for our 400-plus families. In these dire times, there are more and more people who don’t have enough to eat. We try our best to give them food and hope.”

Frances Daily, retired executive director of District 13 of Girl Scouts of America, said, “The many seniors helped by this program shows how a few can make a huge difference.”

Carlson ran a trade association for 17 years, working for the Central Virginia Foodbank to develop two outreach programs, SHARE, a community foundation, and SNAP, a walk-up food pantry.

During this time, she saw seniors struggling to get to the walk-up pantry because of age, disability, cost to get there by friend or taxi, no family to assist them and running out of food before their checks arrived.

“Although I told God it was impossible,” Carlson said, “Food Assistance is now seven years old and growing at a rapid pace. Decisions determine your future, and this was a good decision.”

Carlson said the greatest need of Food Assistance is to have committed people who will give regular financial support and volunteers who commit to help with deliveries once a month.
Carlson said she will speak to churches and other community groups at no charge.

To suggest a person or organization who has or is making a difference, contact Peggy Longmire at rlongmire@triad.rr.com or 288-9040.