Date: July 16, 2009

13,000 Seniors in Vermont May be Suffering from Hunger
Vermont’s Leaders Gather to Find Solutions

Montpelier, VT – Community and State leaders gathered today in Montpelier to discuss strategies to bring more food dollars to Vermont’s low-income seniors. According to Marissa Parisi, Executive Director of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, “Hunger is on the rise among senior citizens in Vermont, yet only 40% of those eligible receive 3SquaresVT benefits, formerly known as food stamps. While many seniors lose out on the help, Vermont also loses out on critical federal dollars to stimulate the economy, an estimated $2 million a month.  For these reasons, we brought community leaders together to learn how other states in the region have reached out to the senior population and to figure out ways to tackle the problem.”    

Renee Richardson, Director of Food and Nutrition Programs at the Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division says, “It is important for seniors - and all Vermonters – to know that 3SquaresVT is a federal nutrition program designed to improve their health and well-being through better access to good food. Seniors have worked hard all their lives and those who are eligible are entitled to these benefits that can help them to defray the ever-increasing cost of living.” 

John Barbour, Executive Director of the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging adds, “We know that seniors face added challenges in accessing programs and services. We’re glad that so many people have come together today to strategize solutions. There’s a lot the State and local communities can do, and CVAA looks forward to playing a major role.”

Over 77,000 Vermonters – 1 in 8 – currently participate in 3SquaresVT, bringing over $9.5 million in benefits into the state each month. At today’s event, state leaders listened to speakers from Rhode Island and Washington D.C. about additional program opportunities, waivers, and outreach strategies to further improve 3SquaresVT participation, specifically for the estimated 13,000 eligible seniors not participating in the program.

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The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with state agencies and community groups to develop sustainable hunger solutions. Since 1993 the Campaign’s outreach programs have substantially enhanced Vermont’s nutrition safety net and increased access to nutritious foods.

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