Effort launched to fight senior hunger

October 26, 2010
Albany Times Union article by Paul Nelson

SCHENECTADY -- Only 1 in 10 senior citizens in the region eligible for food stamps take advantage of the assistance, according to advocates who have joined a statewide "Create the Good" effort to combat hunger among the elderly.

Linda Bopp, executive director with the Nutrition Consortium of New York, said Monday outside Schenectady Inner City Ministry's food pantry that older people often do not obtain the financial help because they are unaware they are eligible or they don't think the effort is worth the money they might receive.

Still, others think they are taking something from another person who is more needy.
The average benefit for a person 60 years and older is $100 a month, Bopp said.

Erin Mitchell, associate state director for AARP New York, said, "too many older New Yorkers are forced to choose between buying groceries and their medicine." She stressed that "the food stamp benefit is discreet and easy to use" because of the debit card system that funds are deducted from when purchases are made. By year's end, elderly residents with access to a computer will be able to register for assistance online, said authorities.

more...