We are thrilled to announce that the Central Oregon Health Council has awarded a grant of just under $100,000 to SVDP La Pine to establish a new initiative aimed at combating food insecurity among seniors and individuals with disabilities. This program, titled Food Access for Seniors and Those with Disabilities in South Deschutes and North Klamath, seeks to enhance self-sufficiency and decrease the number of people experiencing food insecurity by delivering hot meals and food boxes directly to their residences.
Addressing Critical Needs
The program’s primary focus is to support the most vulnerable community members by ensuring they have consistent access to nutritious food. This initiative is especially crucial for those who face mobility issues or other barriers that prevent them from regularly accessing grocery stores. In partnership with the La Pine Activity Center, SVDP La Pine will provide:
- Hot Meals: Delivered weekly, these meals offer immediate relief and ensure that recipients have access to warm, nutritious food.
- Food Boxes: Including perishables, fresh produce, and staple foods, these boxes are designed to sustain individuals and families between grocery trips.
Program Implementation
Starting April 29, 2024, the program will deliver 50 meals and food boxes weekly for one year, culminating in 2,600 deliveries by May 1, 2025. This consistent support will help at least 100 individual households monthly, potentially assisting up to 210 families each month. Priority will be given to those with compounding risk factors, including marginalized racial and ethnic groups, those identifying as 2LGBTQI, and non-native English speakers.
How to Sign Up
Those interested in receiving support from this program can sign up online, through paper forms, or by calling our office. As needed, assistance with the application process will be provided, and forms will be available in English and Spanish. We will also collect information about dietary restrictions to ensure that the food provided meets each household’s specific needs.
Community Impact
By April 29, 2024, we aim to have identified at least 100 clients within our prioritized population for the delivery of food boxes and hot meals. Currently, 20% of our clients are seniors (aged 65+), accounting for about 1,000 individuals regularly served by our food bank. Through this program, we will enhance our monitoring metrics to include people with disabilities, ensuring we reach those who need this service the most.
Our program will provide consistent support to seniors and individuals with disabilities, addressing food insecurity by delivering 50 food boxes and meals every week for 52 weeks. This totals 2,600 home deliveries by May 1, 2025. In Deschutes County, the average food insecurity rate is 8.4%. However, our experience in the South Deschutes area highlights significant disparities between La Pine and Bend, with La Pine having a poverty rate of over 14%. Klamath County also faces a food insecurity rate of 15% as of 2021.
This program will target these high-need areas, reducing food insecurity for many people experiencing accessibility issues due to age and disability. By providing 1 meal and food box to at least 100 unique households, and up to 210 households monthly, we aim to support approximately 600 to 1,000 individuals by May 1, 2025.
Our commitment is to ensure that seniors and individuals with disabilities in South Deschutes and North Klamath counties receive the nutritional support they need to live healthier lives. Through this initiative, we will make a significant impact on reducing food insecurity and improving the overall well-being of our community’s most vulnerable members.
Join Us in Making a Difference
We invite the community to support this vital initiative. Your contributions, whether through volunteering or donations, can help us reach more individuals in need and provide the consistent, nutritious food that is essential for health and well-being. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities, ensuring they do not have to worry about their next meal.
Thank you to the Central Oregon Health Council for making this program possible and to all our partners and supporters who are dedicated to reducing food insecurity in our community.