Hungry Seniors: Supervisor Andrew Do Launches Campaign to Reverse Troubling Number of OC Seniors Going Hungry

One-Third of Low-Income Seniors in Orange County Lack Enough Food to Eat

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is launching a campaign to address the troubling number of Orange County seniors going hungry.
 
As many as one-third of low-income seniors do not have enough food to eat, according to a report released earlier this year by the Orange County Strategic Plan for Aging. Yet, less than 3 percent of eligible seniors access state and federally-funded food assistance programs.
 
“Even in Orange County, many seniors are struggling to keep up with California’s skyrocketing cost of living,” said OC Supervisor Andrew Do, who represents the First District. “We’re organizing these community events to make sure every senior in Orange County has enough food to eat.”
 
A 2018 report by the Orange County United Way found that a quarter of OC seniors struggle to meet basic needs.
 
To help more seniors access food assistance, Supervisor Do is hosting three events in partnership with the Orange County Social Services Agency. Staff will be available to help seniors review eligibility requirements, apply for CalFresh food assistance, and learn about other senior support services.
 
Supervisor Do’s community events coincide with expanded eligibility for the nation’s largest federally-funded food assistance program. Starting June 1, 2019, California expanded the CalFresh food assistance program to include older adults and people with disabilities that receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment (SSI/SSP) benefits. An estimated 32,000 OC seniors are expected to qualify for the expanded CalFresh program.
 
OC Supervisor Andrew Do Senior Food Assistance Events
Date:               Monday, July 22
Time:               9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location:         Nhan Hoa Clinic
                       7761 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92841
 
Date:               Tuesday, August 6
Time:               9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location:         Orange County Community Service Center
                       15460 Magnolia St., Westminster, CA 92683
 
Date:               Monday, August 12
Time:               9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location:         Santa Ana Assistance League
                        1037 W. 1st St., Santa Ana, CA 92703
 
To RSVP, call (714) 834-3110 or email to First.District@ocgov.com.