Every day, tens of thousands of seniors in Utah face some level of food insecurity. Wondering whether they have enough food at home, eating food with inadequate nutrition or even skipping meals is common for many elderly people around the state. Some may also deal with social isolation and not know where to turn for help.

Food insecurity and social isolation can put seniors at risk for serious health problems, including hunger, dementia and depression. Fortunately, Utah has resources available to help seniors stay fed and provide them with a social safety net. In Wasatch County, for example, about 4,000 seniors are served by the Wasatch County Senior Center. The center serves elderly individuals with activities and meals and provides volunteer opportunities. Community Action Services and Food Bank helps support all of those services, including providing food. Here’s how the senior center takes care of people in the community.

Socialization

The Wasatch County Senior Center is a great way for seniors to stay involved with their community, both as volunteers and by getting together with fun activities. There is always something fun to do at the senior center, including entertainment, bingo games and day trips. Outings to Salt Lake Bees baseball games, barbecues and trips to Wendover are always a hit.

For seniors who want to volunteer, they’ll find the senior center has more than enough opportunities. LaRee Pedro of Wallsburg and Cheryl Jones of Heber City are both active at the senior center and love working with other people. For her part, Jones and her husband drive the bus to pick up seniors and bring them to the center. She says she loves being able to interact with people in the community and help others.

Pedro says she didn’t want to just sit around in retirement, and the senior center has been a good way to stay active. She loves delivering care packages to people in the community. Pedro says serving others brightens her day and theirs.

Food Services

For seniors facing food insecurity, the Wasatch County Senior Center is a valuable resource. Community Action Services and Food Bank regularly donates food to the center to help feed people in need, and local businesses and bakeries often donate their excess to the center as well. Volunteers help box up food and take it to people who can use it, and food is also available at the center for anyone to bring home as needed. The center also prepares food in its commercial kitchen and hosts congregate meals twice a week. For people who are unable to leave their home, the senior center provides Meals on Wheels to keep them fed with nutritious food.

Pedro says the food at the senior center has been a wonderful, convenient service for seniors. People can pick up delicious fresh fruit and shelf-stable staples, and they can bring back what they aren’t able to eat so others can use it. According to Jones, people are kind and conscientious and take only what they need, so there is enough for everyone. It is a group effort to make sure the food gets to those who need it most. She adds that it can be hard to ask for help, but everyone needs a hand now and then.

Seniors can be deeply impacted by social isolation and hunger as they age. The Wasatch County Senior Center, and other senior centers throughout the area, can help them stay involved in the community and get nutritious meals to support their mental and physical well-being.

Tom Hogan is the COO of Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo. CASFB is located at 815 S. Freedom Blvd., Suite 100. For more information on educational programs, how to make donations, upcoming classes, food drives and more, visit communityactionuc.org or call 801-373-8200.

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