THE SENIOR BROWN BAG PROGRAM
What is the Senior Brown Bag Program?
The Senior Brown Bag Program provides supplemental nutritious groceries twice a month to over 3,850 seniors at 16 distribution sites in Merced and Mariposa Counties. Without the Senior Brown Bag Program, many seniors in Merced and Mariposa counties would be extremely isolated and at increased risk for malnourishment and illness.
There is no cost to the individuals served and eligibility is determined by using the federal income guidelines for poverty. The Senior Brown Bag program is designed to help those whose main source of income is Social Security, and who normally have to choose between nutritious foods and crucial medications.
Senior Brown Bag Program participants are also provided with opportunities to volunteer at their food pickup site, which offers them social connections and a sense of belonging and purpose as they contribute to the Food Bank.
Every month, more than 200 volunteers gather at the various Senior Brown Bag sites to sort, bag, and distribute food to their peers. Many participants have built new friendships and a sense of community by volunteering.
Senior food insecurity
Next to children, seniors are the most vulnerable group at risk of hunger. Senior food insecurity has risen as a result of the inflationary factors. The number of seniors at risk of hunger in 2023 was 42% higher than in 2019.
Pre-seniors between the ages of 55 and 64, are particularly vulnerable as they are not yet of retirement age and thus ineligible for safety net programs like Medicare and Social Security.
Currently, in Merced and Mariposa Counties there are over 27,500 seniors whose income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines which is equal to $1,286 a month or less.
Please see our The Senior Brown Bag Site List for distribution locations, days and times when food is available for seniors.
For more information about the Senior Brown Bag Program, please contact Earla Anderson, Senior Brown Bag Program Manager, at (209) 726-3663 or email [email protected].
