The people in line at the local pharmacy would never imagine that the senior couple standing next to them had not eaten a meal for more than 24 hours. The couple simply did not complain nor reach out for help. They stood together waiting to spend their last $175 on much needed medicine and there was no money left that week for groceries.

“Seniors are more vulnerable to hunger and have more difficulty obtaining healthy foods than the average person. A new AARP Foundation study shows that nearly 9 million older adults face the risk of hunger — meaning they are forced to skip meals or buy poor quality food,” said Deb Harley, executive director at Cornerstone Hospice www.cshospice.org “The study also warns that out-of-pocket medical expenses as well as a growing senior population will lead to more and more senior reliance on food banks and assistance” added Harley.