This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Mary (not her real name) does not fit the stereotype for food stamps. For one, she's a senior. She also has a college degree and owned her own business, until a sudden illness changed her life. Due to her lack of income and medical expenses, Mary receives food stamps and disability payments, but is still barely able to survive. After food stamp benefits were cut in 2013, she had to give up her nutritious diet and often resorts, along with many other residents of her senior living center, to go to 7-11 for her groceries.
There are 12,954 seniors who receive food stamps each month in our state — and we know that there are many more who are eligible. In addition to a lack of food, many of these seniors also face health problems, which make access to nutritious food even more important. September is Hunger Action Month. We need to recognize that hunger mostly affects our most vulnerable populations — children, seniors and people with disabilities. Charity is not enough. When we fail to invest in viable anti-hunger policies, we fail those who are in the most need.
Melissa Jensen
Utahns Against Hunger
Salt Lake City