Grant to support food security for older adults
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PositiveAge, the foundation of LeadingAge Virginia, has been awarded a $25,000 grant by the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond.
The funding will be used to support the 2023 Food Justice for Older Adults in the Richmond Region project, an initiative aimed at supporting and advocating for policies that will ease the impact of reduced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for older adults.
According to the USDA, more than 80 percent of SNAP beneficiaries include working families, people with disabilities, or elderly individuals. The termination of pandemic-related increases in SNAP benefits in March has slashed the benefits to approximately $6 per person per day. Residents of LeadingAge Virginia member affordable living communities have been directly affected, with 100 percent of 80 surveyed residents experiencing a reduction in SNAP benefits by approximately $200 per month.
“Older adults should not have to decide between nutritious food and essential medication because of their monthly budget constraints," said Melissa Andrews, president and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia.
Goals of the PositiveAge initiative include educating local policymakers on the challenges faced by older adults with reduced SNAP benefits, advocating for policies to directly ease the burden, collaborating with local organizations, agencies and communities to develop comprehensive strategies to support older adults, evaluating the impact of the strategies and adapting them as needed.
