March 2024 Issue

Stacy Dykstra of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

Letter from the Chief Executive Officer

Recent statistics from Feeding America estimate that 5.5 million people age 60 and over experience hunger in the United States. That’s 1 out of every 14 seniors across the country.

Every state is home to older adults who face hunger, and Oklahoma is no exception. Many of our older neighbors face obstacles accessing and preparing food, including lack of transportation, living in a food desert, or coping with a disability or chronic health problem that makes it difficult to safely cook or drive to a grocery store.

Too often, seniors living on fixed incomes face impossible choices, and colder weather generally means higher energy bills and increased hardship. Do they pay their utility bill or buy groceries? Do they pay for prescription medications, or do they buy food? These are choices none of us should have to make.

With your help, we’re working hard to relieve the burden of hunger from our older neighbors, but there’s still a lot of work to do. I’m sure you share my passion to ensure that seniors don’t face hunger in the coming years, starting now!

I hope you enjoy meeting some of the neighbors you help in this issue of The Link. As you read through these stories, please think of the seniors in your life and in our community. Then please take a moment to give your best gift to the Regional Food Bank to help provide nourishing food for older adults and neighbors facing hunger.

Remember, every $1 helps provide 4 meals. Thank you for your kindness and compassion.

Sincerely,
Stacy Dykstra, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer