CSFP SIGN-UP DRIVE FOR SANDTOWN-WINCHESTER SENIORS
On May 26, 2022- The Salvation Army’s Social Services and Development team informed seniors from Sandtown-Winchester Senior Center about our CSFP “Groceries to Go” program. Eric Mueck, Development Director and Nina Christian, Social Services Director, represented The Salvation Army at a panel comprised of representatives from Md Dept. of Aging, Baltimore City Health Division of Aging, Sandtown-Winchester Senior Center, Meals on Wheels MD, USDA, and FNS.
“I’m a proud product of Sandtown-Winchester and grew up here,” said Bernice Hutchinson, Deputy Secretary of the MD Dept. of Aging. Hutchinson knows 21217 very well. “This senior center points out the light the community has especially since this center nourishes with food and information. With this famous zip code, we need to discuss the light and not just the blight of this community.” Hutchinson explained to over 50 senior citizens who have lived all their lives in 21217 that “Groceries on the Go” is a dependable program that holds themselves accountable. This national program is funded by the USDA and provides “oodles of pantry staples” to seniors 60 years and older. This program was designed to give seniors who live in food desserts a fair shot at getting proper nutrition, so they won’t be placed in a nursing home. “I recommend everyone signs up for this program and to remove any expired food items from your pantry. Today is a new day to eat better food,” said Hutchinson.
“We’re having more seniors on SNAP and I believe we need to provide more food to all parts of the city,” added Alice Huang, Baltimore City Health Dept. Division. “The Salvation Army was a critical partner in getting food to people because we know access is not just about affordability of food or price but it’s also about accessing it.”
The onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020 highlighted how “widespread” food insecurity is in our local community explained Stephanie Archer Smith, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland. “In a matter of weeks, we tripled our delivery of food in March 2020. We delivered over $4 million meals to people in need. This program is innovative due to the personal touch and collaboration with several key partners. “We serve more aging adults, we serve them earlier and we try to keep them happier and healthier,” said Smith.
Eric Mueck, Development Director concluded the event by inviting seniors to sign up for the CSFP program. And by highlighting key services The Salvation Army of Central Maryland can provide to someone in need such as: rental assistance, utility help, anti-human trafficking shelter, Boys and Girls Clubs, ARC program, and our Corps Worship centers. Our recent volunteer boon helped The Salvation Army triple CSFP grocery box output for Meals on Wheels to deliver. The Salvation Army will work to increase more volunteer support to combat hunger all across Baltimore.
Our Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income people above the age of 60 by supplanting their diet with nutritious USDA foods. Although CSFP food packages do not provide a complete diet but are rather a good source of nutrients typically lacking in the diets of the selected demographic’s group. Each grocery box provides protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, C, and D and other nutrients that promote a healthier lifestyle. A common misconception is that shelf-stable foods (packaged and canned) are not healthy. Canned fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as their fresh and frozen forms.
The “Groceries on the Go” program in the state of Maryland operates in Baltimore City and the outlying areas in Baltimore County, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, Caroline County, Talbot County, Dorchester, Garrett County, and Alleghany County. The Salvation Army of Central Maryland is a conduit for the program by packaging 2,200-2,800 grocery boxes each month for seniors in Baltimore.
