Martha Kalhoun, 85, and her brother Warren Anderson, 91, are examples of local seniors who look to the Foodbank to fill the gap. The siblings live in a low-income senior apartment complex at Vandenberg Village in Lompoc where rent typically ranges from $1,800 to $2,000 per month. Luckily,
the two seniors qualify for subsidized housing, and pay $800 per month because of their low income.
Kalhoun has been surviving on social security since her husband died in 2002. That’s when money became tight. Kalhoun had difficulty making her mortgage payments and had to take a reverse mortgage loan. Her aging 50-year-old Goleta home was desperately in need of serious maintenance repairs like plumbing, roofing, and fencing. Expenses that would deeply cut into her budget.
To help cover these costs, Kalhoun resorted to taking in boarders. She rented rooms to six people on and off again for 13 years. Eventually, it became too much. Kalhoun sold her home, taking up residency in a hotel at Vandenberg Village. What money was left from the sale of her home was used to pay for her living expenses and to support housing costs for her grandson and two elderly brothers, one of whom had dementia.
Soon the money dried up and Kalhoun and her brothers were homeless. They found temporary housing at the Good Samaritan Shelter in Santa Maria. After four months at the shelter, their prayers were answered. Kalhoun and her brother Warren were qualified to move into a 2-bedroom Vandenberg Village apartment where they have now resided for four years.
Their luck continued when they discovered the Foodbank’s Older Adult Nutrition Program (OAN), a brown bag delivery service that provides low-income seniors with twice monthly bundles of fresh produce and canned goods. “It helps a lot, it’s fun to find out what we’re getting,” says Kalhoun, “We love fresh vegetables and fruits, especially the peaches that I just got today.” Remembering when she once had a peach tree, Kalhoun said if the delivered peaches get too ripe, she plans to can them.
Kalhoun is grateful for the service. After paying for housing, utilities, medical bills, and the inflated cost of groceries, she is lucky to have $100 to $200 left from her $1,400 monthly social security check. “The service is so convenient, and the people who come and deliver our food are so nice,” she said.
Sara Hernandez, 76, who also lives in low-income senior housing in Lompoc has been using the delivery service for 2½ years, after learning about the program through social services.
Hernandez retired from Vandenberg AFB where she receives a small pension of $286 per month. Combined with her social security and her EBT benefits, Hernandez lives off just over $2,000 per month. After rent, utilities and other costs Hernandez says she is usually left with $200 for unplanned costs.
Hernandez’s sight issues create a challenge for her to drive, which makes tapping into the Foodbank’s food delivery service essential. “This past Wednesday I got potatoes, carrots, celery, crackers, and some canned fruit. I’m receiving food that I’m familiar with and enjoy.” Hernandez says the food is just one of the benefits of the program. “The gentleman that delivers the food is very nice. He is always concerned about how I am doing. I really appreciate his kindness.”
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s Older Adult Nutrition Program served 2,033 recipients this year. Seniors make up 22% of the county’s population. Nearly 7,000 seniors are currently using the state’s CalFresh supplemental nutrition assistance program. According to the World Health Organization, by 2030, 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. This wave is commonly referred to as the “Silver Tsunami.” According to the Pew Research Center, an institution that tracks social, economic and demographic trends, about 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day. Research indicates that the silver tsunami will bring significant changes to U.S. social infrastructure, such as placing additional pressure on the Social Security system and generating a heightened need for healthcare and long-term care services.
