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The number of seniors receiving assistance from the Commodity Supplemental Food Program at Lighthouse Outreach Center in Roseville has climbed to 1,600 to 1,300 in the last 12 months.
"We're busy," said Pastor Mel Gowler who runs the center with his wife, founder Sandy Gower. "The economy is definitely increasing demand."
Last week, Congress approved a $171 million appropriation that will ensure continued funding of the program, locally administered by Focus: HOPE
It also expands the CSFP to other states and it is hoped will extend services to an additional 3,500 to 4,000 residents of Michigan, said Kathy Moran, Focus: HOPE communication manager.
"We still aren't certain if this will enable us to increase our caseload, but we're hopeful," Moran said.
Currently CSFP serves 41,000 residents of Metro Detroit, which includes low-income women and children and 35,000 seniors.
"Without Congressman's Sander Levin's help, we would not have this increase," said Frank Kubik, manager of the Commodities Supplemental Food program for Focus: HOPE. "We're real happy for Congressman Levin's support and all he's done.
"This vital program helps thousands of Macomb County residents, most of whom are seniors, make ends meet by providing nutritious food packages every month," Levin said. "This public-private partnership is effective because of the hard work and advocacy of the organizations and volunteers on the ground, and we've fought hard to expand it as even more seniors and eligible women and children face hunger in these difficult economic times."
"The program is tremendously beneficial," Moran said. "It provides basic monthly groceries, and at a very cost-effective rate."
Because the federal government purchases the food directly, it spends about $22 for groceries that would retail between $50 and $60, Moran said.
Though the specifics vary, the monthly allotment includes a balance of canned fruits and vegetables, juices, meats, fish, peanut butter, cereals and grain products, cheese and other dairy products.
At Roseville's Lighthouse Outreach Center, where about 1,600 of Macomb County's 5,000 CSFP recipients are served, Gower is hopeful program expansion will translate to more food there.
"At this point, anything would be helpful," said Gower, adding that demand for other center services is also growing exponentially. "We serve 6,000 individuals each month, sign up 25 to 30 new clients each week and go through about three semi trucks of food per month. And struggle each day for the money to keep the doors open."
At the Macomb County Department of Senior Citizen Services, CSFP helps fund Meals on Wheels, which, with the help of 1,100 active volunteers, currently packages and delivers warm lunches to 1,300 frail and homebound seniors. Of those, 54 percent are at the poverty level and 200 receive a second, cold meal for their dinner.
"What we're seeing right now is an increase in the number of seniors choosing between medical costs and medications or utilities," explained Katherine Benford, director of the Macomb County Senior Nutrition Program. "They rely on our services for their source of nutrition. We know poverty equals food insecurity which increases health risk. In order for them to stay healthy and independent, our services are critical.
Should the department receive additional funding as a result of the CSFP expansion, those monies would likely expand the number of recipients currently receiving a second meal.
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