Food Insecurity Touching Older Adults: Finding the Next Meal

In 2022, over 17 million people in the United States experienced food insecurity, with roughly 7 million of those being older adults. Without access to healthy foods, older adults can have a more difficult time leading a healthy and active lifestyle with harmful outcomes such as lower nutrient intakes, poorer health outcomes, mental health issues and more.

Attendees will learn about food insecurity, what it is on a local and national level, what the impact of food insecurity is, what resources exist for individuals to get access to food including SNAP benefits, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and more.

Participants will be able to:

• Understand what food insecurity is and its recent trends.
• Understand the factors, prevalence and impact of food insecurity on older adults in Ohio and nationally.
• Understand the need for the SNAP program and be able to assist consumers in applying.
• Understand the range and importance of senior nutrition programs.
• Gain practical knowledge on how to refer individuals to programs and resources.

Presenters:

• Joree Novotny began as executive director at the Ohio Association of Foodbanks in 2023 after 13 years in progressive roles at the association, including managing communications, grants and contracts, and public policy as director of external affairs and most recently, serving as chief of staff.

• Cynthia Heffner, Esq., has worked at the Logan County Department of Job & Family Services for over 20 years and has been the Director of Logan County JFS since 2016. Heffner is the chairperson of the Logan County Senior Services Coalition, gathering organizations to learn, share and expand services for older adults.

• Leah Bunck, LSW, MSW, serves as the Director of Nutrition Services at LifeCare Alliance and handles operations for one of the largest home-delivered meal and congregate meal programs in the country. Bunck is passionate about revolutionizing the way nutritional services are delivered to older adults.

This workshop offers 3.0 clock hours for social workers, #RSX089101. The Ohio Board of Nursing accepts events approved for counselors and social workers for continuing nursing education.

Cost: $40 for CEUs or $20 without CEUs.

Registration is requested by November 3: The registration form and payment are required – click here for the full brochure that contains the registration form. We cannot accept credit cards as payment.

WE ARE EXPERIENCING OCCASIONAL MAIL DELAYS: Please notify Kelsey Snowden, Communications & Training Coordinator, at (937) 341-3020 or ksnowden@info4seniors.org that your registration is coming. This will help to ensure you receive the workshop reminder and link in time, even if registration is delayed through the mail. We appreciate your help and consideration.