The Connection Bridgewater-Somerville Edition Dec 2018/Jan 2019

Food Insecurity is defined as not having access to or the means to purchase enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle. At JFS we work with many older adults who are struggling financially and have to make hard decisions each month about which bills to pay and then determining how much is left over to purchase food for the rest of the month. Without realizing the compromises they are making to their health, many seniors limit their purchase of fresh produce and other nutri- tious food because they cost more than their budget will allow. According to the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey taken between 1999-2014 many food insecure older adults have lower nutrient intake, have worse health outcomes and are 65% more likely to be diabetic. They are over two times more likely to suffer from depression and 30% more likely to report limitations in their activities of daily living (ADL’s). In addition, they are 19% more likely to have high blood pressure, 57% more likely to have conges- tive heart failure, 67% more likely to have a heart attack and 91% more likely to have asthma. To address this problem, the Board of Trustees of JFS held its Second Annual Soup for the Soul Event on Sunday, November 18, 2018 from 5pm-7pm at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC in Bridgewater. Feeling strongly about seniors having enough healthy food available and afford- able to meet their nutritional needs, the coordinators of this event Debby Feldman and Rox- anne Levinston organized an evening of good food, catered by Chef Jeff and a program that both educated and entertained all who attended. Highlighted at the event was JFS’ efforts to combat food insecurity and social isolation among older adults in our com- munity as well as efforts made by America Grow-a-Row, a local non- profit farm dedicated to growing, harvesting, and distributing fresh produce to those in need throughout the community. Funds raised at Soup for the Soul are earmarked for the JFS Emer- gency Assistance Fund that pro- vides food assistance to older adults struggling with food inse- curity. It’s not too late to con- tribute to reducing food insecuri- ty in Somerset County. To join with JFS in improving the lives of those struggling financially and ensure seniors in our community can afford nutritious food to maintain their physical and men- tal health, please donate online at www.jewishfamilysvc.org. To find out about other ways of helping, call 908-725-7799 and ask for the JFS volunteer coordinator. FOR OLDER ADULTS FOOD AND INCOME DETERMINES HEALTH JFS RESPONDS TO FOOD INSECURE OLDER ADULTS Follow Us On Twitter 908-903-1799 theconnectionsnj.com www.Twitter.com/connectionsnj PAGE 44 www.theconnectionsnj.com Shop Somerville " ) ) " " " " ) * + $ /1' /-.2 #" & ! %%%( % ! & $ ( $%#! " #(('& 3-2)1/0)1133 , % ! & $ ( & % $ ## & % $ !$% "!