The Ross Medical Education Center in Owensboro, Ky. had a wonderful time participating in the Annual Food Drive. With a population of 11, our students brought in over 400 can goods. The can goods will be donated to the Elizabeth Munday Center of Owensboro.
The Elizabeth Munday Senior Center of Owensboro is dedicated to address the needs of senior citizens both in the home and the senior facility. Director Tom Vittito states, “Today’s seniors can find enrichment and empowerment through the services offered by the center.” The history of the program can be traced back to 1965 when the United States Congress enacted the Public Law 89-73, commonly known as the “Older American’s Act of 1965.” This act recognized the value and worth of senior citizens to their communities and declared a list of objectives to ensure the dignity and the realm of opportunities for the aging American be enhance and maintained.
AARP states, “Nearly 9 million Americans 50+ are at risk for hunger every day – a staggering 79 percent increase in just 10 years. Drive to End Hunger is AARP Foundation’s multipronged approach on this problem. We’re working to combat hunger among people 50 and older through raising awareness, building philanthropic support and developing long-term, sustainable solutions.”
Providing food for the elderly has been our mission at Ross Owensboro for the food drive. For seniors, protecting oneself from food insecurity and hunger is more difficult than for the general population. A study that focused on the experience of food insecurity among the elderly population found that food insecure seniors sometimes had enough money to purchase food, but did not have the resources to access or prepare food due to lack of transportation, functional limitations, or health problems.* The Journal of Nutrition, September 2003
Not only does the Elizabeth Munday center give away can goods to the elderly every week, they also offer free lunch daily and have partnered with AARP to off classes for drivers 55 years or older; in addition, they offer transportation for the elderly to doctors’ appointments or the grocery for a small donation.