skip to main content

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

play newscast audioPlay

Indiana struggles to reverse its high early death rate, a Texas sheriff recommends criminal charges in DeSantis' migrant flights to Martha's Vineyard, and Congress is urged to take swift action to pass the Rail Safety Act of 2023.

play newscast audioPlay

A bipartisan effort aims to preserve AM radio, the Human Rights Campaign declares a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people, and the Atlanta City Council approves funding for a controversial police training center.

play newscast audioPlay

Oregon may expand food stamp eligibility to some undocumented households, rural areas have a new method of accessing money for roads and bridges, and Tennessee's new online tool helps keep track of cemetery locations.

Dig Those Gardens: Maine Seniors Fight Food Insecurity

play audio
Play

Monday, May 19, 2014   

BANGOR, Maine - Food insecurity is a problem that affects about 15 percent of Maine's population. It means people do not have access to enough nutritious food on a daily basis. A program involving volunteers age 50 and older is digging in to help.

The ENCore Leadership Corps each year trains about 250 older adults in a variety of volunteer areas. Jennifer Crittenden, who helps run ENCorps out of the University of Maine Center on Aging, says the focus of the Food Security Initiative is training people to aid those eligible for food assistance programs, helping out at food banks and pantries, and getting dirt underneath their fingernails.

"We have volunteers who work on community gardens," Crittenden says, "and this is the time of year when they're starting to think about setting those up. It's a great chance to bring community members together, and also to grow some fresh food that can be given out to families locally."

Across the state, more than one in five children is food insecure. Rural counties such as Somerset and Franklin have the highest rates, but Cumberland and York counties struggle with 19 percent child-food-insecurity rates.

Crittenden says helping fight hunger taps into a lot of baby boomers' desires to give back to their communities.

"Food insecurity touches Mainers of all ages. In particular, older adults and children are at most risk of really experiencing food insecurity. It is definitely an issue that hits home for many people," she explains.

ENcore works in partnership with the Maine Community Foundation. The Food Security Initiative was launched in part with funding from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation.

Crittenden says the recession and unpredictable layoffs and job elimination all have stressed the state's food banks and pantries.

"What we're trying to do is help give our volunteers the tools they need to successfully keep food pantries open, to look at sustaining those options as an emergency food source in their community," she adds.

ENCorps holds its annual Summit this weekend at Sebasco Harbor Resort, Phippsburg, where food security issues will be a focus of the community work discussions and networking.




get more stories like this via email

According to the Mars Veterinary Health study, nearly 41,000 additional veterinarians will be needed to meet the needs of companion animal health care by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

In Arizona, telemedicine is now not only available for humans but also for people's beloved animals. Last month Governor Katie Hobbs signed Senate …


Environment

play sound

Ruybal Fox Creek Ranch sits in a dramatic canyon in the foothills of southern Colorado's San Juan Mountains, right next to the Rio Grande National …

Health and Wellness

play sound

North Dakota officials are urging people receiving health coverage through a key public program to stay on top of their renewal if they are still elig…


According to the report, there was a 14% increase among Nevada seniors accessing high-speed internet between 2016 and 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Nevada has received an overall score of 43 in the nation for the health and well-being of its seniors in the state. According to the United Health …

Social Issues

play sound

A court hearing next week could help determine whether an eastern South Dakota mayor will face a recall election. Events are rare for this state…

A new measure in this year's report shows many older adults spent more than 30% of their income on housing. (Adobe stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Indiana ranks closer to the bottom of U.S. states where you will find healthy seniors living than the top, according to a new report. …

Social Issues

play sound

The last day of school for Texas kids is typically one of elation, but for children in rural areas with high poverty rates, it also can mean …

Environment

play sound

Virginia environmental advocates are not happy with the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision on the Clean Water Act. The ruling in Sackett versus E-P-…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021