According to a report by Feeding America, 6.9% of Kentuckians aged 60 and above were classified as food insecure, while another 3.4% had ‘very low’ food security. In Rowan County, more than 4,500 people, or 18.6% of the population, qualify as food insecure.
Officials said the bulk of these individuals are in vulnerable age ranges, often children or senior citizens.
Joshua Farrow is Executive Director of Gateway Area Development District. He said senior citizens remain an underrecognized group when it comes to food needs.
“Just from an aging perspective, a lot of times individuals may not have a means to travel. They may live alone, or it may also be financial constraints that they’re not able to travel to a senior center or to a restaurant. So, we’re more than happy to help in any way we can,” said Farrow.
Farrow added for some of the community’s most vulnerable, it’s not just food. He said seniors experience a strong need for community engagement, which Gateway ADD aims to provide through their multiple senior centers.
“The only requirement for our congregate meals are that the individual is over the age of 60. That’s it. So, you can come to our senior centers daily. We’re open Monday through Friday,” said Farrow. “People can come in and have a meal. They can play games, crafts, and also take part in community trainings on just various topics.”
Home-delivered meals can be requested for individuals unable to travel to the senior centers, and the Motor Meals program also drops off meals at specific locations in each county daily.
Gateway ADD serves Rowan, Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, and Morgan counties. More information about services for seniors and other people facing food insecurity is available online at gwadd.org.