Community Volunteers to Pack 2.5 Million Meals for Food-Insecure Older Adults in Memphis, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP Foundation continues its commitment to fight senior poverty and hunger with the 2018 Summer of Service to Seniors? Meal Pack Challenge events taking place across the country. The three-city meal pack tour kicks off in Memphis on July 28, then travels to Chicago on August 4, and culminates on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on September 11.

With the support of presenting sponsor AARP^® Credit Card from Chase and title sponsors The Hartford and UnitedHealthcare, these events will bring thousands of volunteers together to fight senior poverty and hunger in important cities across the country.

"Hunger is a health issue," says Lisa Marsh Ryerson, president of AARP Foundation. "Seniors who are food insecure are 50 percent more likely to have diabetes, 60 percent more likely to have congestive heart failure or a heart attack, and three times more likely to suffer from depression."

Together, Summer of Service to Seniors? Meal Pack volunteers in Memphis, Chicago and Washington, D.C., will work to lessen the burden of senior hunger in their communities by packing a total of 2.5 million meals to be donated to local food banks and distributed to local seniors in need.

"Since 2011, we have provided more than 41 million meals to meet the daily food needs of hungry seniors," says Ryerson. "These meal pack events not only lessen the daily burden of hunger so many vulnerable older adults face, but also help raise awareness about the epidemic of food insecurity among seniors."

Data from a 2016 Census Bureau survey indicates the number of people aged 65 and older living in poverty had increased from 4.2 million to 4.6 million since 2015. And according to the 2010 Census, more than 10 million Americans age 50 or older struggle every day with limited or inadequate access to affordable, nutritious food.

Through the Summer of Service to Seniors Meal Pack events, AARP Foundation is bringing together nonprofit, government and corporate stakeholders in the food and health sectors to help reform the food supply system by creating solutions to fight food insecurity and hunger. And they're bringing volunteers together to make a difference in their own communities. "These are wonderful opportunities for everyone to participate in helping their neighbors and to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with doing something good for someone else," says Ryerson.

"Food insecurity among older Americans is a very real issue affecting our neighbors in cities across the US and it is critical that we raise awareness and inspire action," said Leslie Gillin, President of Co-Brand Cards at Chase. "Through the AARP Credit Card from Chase program, we are proud to again sponsor the Summer of Service to Seniors and continue our multi-year partnership with AARP Foundation to jointly fight hunger, raise funds and put food on the tables of those in need."

Meal-packing events during the Summer of Service to Seniors are part of AARP Foundation's larger effort to increase economic opportunities and social connections that help prevent and reduce senior poverty. For details on how to volunteer and other information, visit MealPackChallenge.org

About AARP Foundation 

AARP Foundation works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable older adults build economic opportunity and social connectedness. As AARP's charitable affiliate, we serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Bolstered by vigorous legal advocacy, we spark bold, innovative solutions that foster resilience, strengthen communities and restore hope. AARP Foundation. For a future without senior poverty.  aarpfoundation.org

About Chase 

Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.6 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves nearly half of America's households with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: 5,100 branches, 16,000 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to Chase.com.

About The Hartford 

The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheHartford_PR.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, Conn. For additional details, please read The Hartford's legal notice.

About UnitedHealthcare 

UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.2 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group, a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter.

SOURCE AARP Foundation