Seniors
Seniors are one of the largest groups that rely on emergency food services through Food Bank programs and member agencies. Seniors often find themselves having to choose between paying for necessities such as medication and food. That where the Food Bank’s Senior Food Program comes in. We provide seniors with nutritionally balanced bags of food twice a month so they may not have to make those tough decisions. Learn more below about seniors in need in our community with key statistics and stories from the seniors we help.
- 5.2 percent of seniors in Contra Costa and 7.8 of Seniors in Solano County (10 percent in the US) live below the federal poverty level (approximately $14,500 per year for a family of two). (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2007)
In all of the above statistics, seniors are defined as 65 and older.
Real Stories
Read stories below from seniors who have received assistance through our Senior Food Program. Real names are not used.
Velia and Charlie, Vallejo Senior Food Program
Velia - a retired RN - and her husband, Charlie, cannot live on their disability alone. The Senior Food Program really helps supplement their resources. Velia says, “We are so low-income we can barely pay the bills. We really like the Farmer’s Market coupons (referring to the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program that gives coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income seniors). I know fresh fruit and vegetables are really important for good nutrition.” For Velia and Charlie the food at the Senior Food Program lasts a while. “We don’t need to come here every time. I look for the food ads and only buy what is on sale except things I have to get like milk and eggs. You don’t really have a choice on those.” Velia tells us that they are not getting cost of living increases this year and how grateful she and Charlie are for this program. “Years ago we used to donate to the food bank and the Christian Help Center.”
Madeline, Vallejo Senior Food Program
Madeline lives alone and so the Senior Food program helps her out stretch her limited resources. “I do not receive any other assistance, just my husband’s social security.” Madeline tells us. “I get enough food here for the whole month. The canned food comes in handy.”