Senior Hunger: Reaching Those Who Are in Need

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

The “cold box meal project” was initiated in Montgomery County, MD as a pilot program from 2012–2014 to reach seniors in the county who (1) reside in low-income senior housing and (2) had not previously received County services from the Senior Nutrition Program (SNP). The contracted meal provider delivered a specific number of meals that were requested at 19 sites each Tuesday and Thursday. Over three years, the SNP was able to determine numbers of interested participants, number of meals, and funding required for the program. A formal budget of approximately $130,000 was established for four winter months in 2014–2015 to reach approximately 900 seniors in 19 low-income apartment buildings. The “cold box meal project”, which meets the Maryland Department of Aging’s Menu Standards, is appreciated by the recipients especially during the winter months when getting out to the supermarket or a senior center for a meal is much more difficult. The Senior Nutrition Program is proud to incorporate this program into its mission to address the nutritional needs of seniors.