Hotline helps connect seniors with food assistance and resources
The holiday season is in full swing, but it’s not always joyful for the estimated 24,000 seniors in Southern Nevada who are food insecure. Three Square Food Bank encourages those 60 years of age and older who need assistance to call 702-765-4030 Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., where they will speak with a caring Advocate to determine which program, service or resource is best for them.
“The issue of hunger and isolation among seniors is a very real problem,” said Lisa Segler, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Three Square. “In a recent survey of food insecure seniors in our community, more than 30 percent reported having depression and nearly 48 percent reported experiencing loneliness. Through our Senior Hunger Programs we want to reach those folks who may be struggling and show them that they are not alone.”
Those who reach out to Three Square’s Call Center can be connected with a number of options that are available through the nonprofit’s Senior Hunger Programs and community partners, including:
Golden Groceries
With the help of Three Square’s community partners, Golden Groceries provides delicious, healthy and supplemental groceries at no cost to food insecure seniors. The program restores choice and dignity to seniors by enabling them to choose from an available inventory as well as the amount and type of food that meet their specific nutritional needs. Groceries, including lean proteins, whole grains and fresh produce, are available.
Golden Groceries locations can be found at multiple places across Southern Nevada and have special days and times dedicated to seniors to ensure they have a pleasant experience and avoid long lines.
More than 7,000 seniors access Golden Groceries in the valley, which includes rural communities.
Community Meal Programs
In addition to Golden Groceries, Three Square can provide information about community meal programs for seniors across the valley, including weekly dinner sites at the local VFW Post 10047 and lunch sites at New Beginnings Ministries.
In addition to providing healthy, hot meals, community meals provide opportunities for fellowship with friends, games and access to other community resources. These types of connections may be even more meaningful to seniors during the holidays, and this is a great way the community can pull together to take care of one another.
For more information about the finding the nearest Golden Groceries location or additional resources, please call 702-765-4030.
About Three Square Food Bank
Established in 2007 to provide hunger relief, Three Square Food Bank offers wholesome, nutritious food to nonprofit and faith-based organizations, schools and feeding sites that serve a wide range of Southern Nevadans. A national model project inspired by Founder Eric Hilton with a grant provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Three Square is a community collaborative partnership with businesses, nonprofit agencies, food distributors, higher education institutions, the Clark County School District, governmental entities, the media and thousands of volunteers to efficiently and effectively work together to serve those in our community struggling with hunger. Three Square currently provides more than 41 million meals – the equivalent of more than 50 million pounds of food and grocery product – per year through a network of community partners. Three Square is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks. For additional information visit threesquare.org. For the latest news and events on Three Square, visit Facebook and follow them on Instagram and Twitter (@threesquarelv).