BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — A panel is bringing together local organizations and city agencies this month to raise awareness about poverty and food insecurity among New York City’s seniors.
The Aging in New York Fund partners with Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation on Feb. 23 for a discussion on “New York City Seniors & The Rising Food Insecurity Crisis.”
Representatives from community-based groups will share their resources and speakers will present their efforts to combat the issue in Brooklyn, with guests including City Harvest, Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corporation and Citymeals-on-Wheels.
“I think, by and large, the general population does not realize the amount of poverty and food insecurity among the elderly,” said Caryn Resnick, Deputy Commissioner at the city’s Department for the Aging.
Individuals who are food insecure have insufficient household income to purchase food and have a reduced quality or variety in their diet, Resnick said.
One in 10 of the city’s senior citizens suffered from food insecurity in 2012 to 2014, according to a recent report from the New York City Coalition Against Hunger.
Brooklyn had both the highest number and greatest percentage of this population, the report said, with 64,946 seniors affected.
Participants at the Feb. 23 event at Bed-Stuy’s Restoration Plaza will help attendees enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which Resnick said is “extremely underutilized” by potentially eligible older adults.
Attendees can also learn more about the resources and benefits available to them in their community, including food pantries and local engagement projects that pair seniors with nearby gardens for fresh foods.
Those who would like to be pre-screened for SNAP should bring their monthly-income information.
The “New York City Seniors & The Rising Food Insecurity Crisis” panel discussion takes place on Feb. 23 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton St.
For more information or to RSVP, call 212-602-4460 or register online here.
