One of the most important services Thrive Alliance provides is our congregate meal sites. Although the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered these sites for many months, many of them are back in operation. They provide not only healthful, nutritious meals for those in need, they also provide a much needed social outlet for many. Current operating congregate meal sites are:

Bartholomew County
Armory Apartments
646 Franklin Street
Columbus, IN 47201
812-341-6823

Columbus Drive-Through Location
1531 13^th Street
United Way parking lot at 14^th Street
Columbus, IN 47201
812-341-6823

Brown County
Willow Manor
72 Willow Street
Nashville, IN 47448
812-720-1061

Jackson County
Crothersville Senior Center
114 East Main Street
Crothersville, IN 47229
812-216-2592

Jennings County
North Vernon Senior Housing
45 Henry Street
North Vernon,
IN 47265
812-592-7462

Thrive Alliance congregate meal site participants share their stories

Peggy:
“I’m a mother and wife who has been married 58 years. We have four great kids. My husband comes from a big family, with 13 brothers and sisters. I came to the (Crothersville Senior Center) after I had been in a car wreck. I was a depressed person who was looking for something to do. I found the Senior Center and it gave me a new outlook on life! I made new friends who really love me and I really love them. We share food and play games. But, most of all – I got a new family!”

Brenda:
“I moved to Crothersville in 1970. I have been a widow since 1996. We had two sons. I taught elementary school for 34 years. I enjoy coming to the Senior Citizens Center for meals, to play Rummikub and to talk with friends. I eat the meat and vegetables from the dinners because I am doing a KETO weight loss program. I have lost over 50 pounds on the diet! I am an officer here and also take part in other organizations.”

The Farmer’s Market Voucher program offers vouchers for adults ages 60 years and older to purchase fresh produce from local farmers’ markets in the summer.

This year will be the first year that the vouchers are going electronic.  The program runs from July 1 to October 15. Participants will have $50 deposited to their account, and use a QR code to redeem at the farmers market.  The vouchers must be used within 30 days after the participant signs up

Vouchers are limited. Thrive Alliance staff reach out to past participants first, then offer the voucher program to those who inquire on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information: 812.372.6918.

June is National Hunger Awareness Month, a good time to take a look at problems of food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition and ways that Thrive Alliance is helping address these issues.

Thrive Alliance’s Senior Nutrition program provides nutrition for both the physical body and the entire person. We provide a comprehensive meal service that increases the well-being of participants by serving meals that contain nutrition that aging adult needs to sustain health and wellness. In 2022, Thrive Alliance served 12,945 meals through our congregate meal site and 41,720 home-delivered meals throughout our five-county region.

Through these efforts and other initiatives, we are helping to address this growing need in our communities.

Facts about senior hunger in America

• In 2021, 5.5 million seniors aged 60+ faced hunger. That’s 1 in 14 seniors or 7.1% of all seniors.
• Hunger takes a severe toll on seniors’ health and nutrition – putting them at risk for chronic health conditions like depression, asthma, and diabetes.
• Some seniors are more likely to face hunger due to racial and economic inequality. Seniors are more likely to face hunger if they identify as Black, Latino, or Native America; have lower incomes; or have a disability.
• Nutrition programs are available to help seniors afford food, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Seniors have unique nutrition needs, and not having enough wholesome food to eat can create harmful health effects. Food insecurity has been linked with:

• Lower nutrient intakes:Older adults with food insecurity consume lower levels of key nutrients such as protein, vitamins A and C, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Insufficient nutrition can lead to malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, and chronic diseases.
• Poorer health outcomes:Seniors who are food insecure are 65% more likely to be diabetic. They are also more likely to suffer from conditions such as congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, asthma, obesity, and gum disease.
• Mental health issues:The constant worry and uncertainty associated with food insecurity can take a toll on a person’s psychological well-being.

For more on Thrive Alliance’s Nutrition programs: https://thrive-alliance.org/nutritional-services/

Thrive Alliance and other area agencies on aging statewide to help seniors get fruits and veggies year-round with the goal of lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure

Low-income seniors across the state aren’t getting enough to eat, and many don’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Half of Indiana seniors report having trouble eating healthy, which causes an increased risk of chronic diseases and reduced quality of life.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation recently awarded a $4.4 million Connecting Older Hoosiers with Healthful Foods grant to the IAAAA Education Institute, Inc.

Findings from a 2021 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults, showed a concerning trend in Indiana: About half of older adults reported a lack of accessible, affordable quality food.

Each of the area agencies on aging will partner with local food banks, food pantries and producers to obtain fresh produce, which will be provided to participating seniors at senior meal sites or as part of home-delivered meals. Seniors also will receive information and tips on preparing healthy meals.

Thrive Alliance is incorporating this generous gift into its Nutrition program by providing congregate meal program participants to add additional whole fruits and vegetables to their regular diets. Through the program, we will learn whether the addition of healthful whole foods has any impact on the participants’ health indicators such as weight, blood pressure, A1C levels, diagnoses such as diabetes and heart disease, and community longevity.

Connecting Older Hoosiers with Healthful Foods is a collaboration among the area agencies on aging, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, its 11 food bank members and the Indiana University Center for Aging Research (IUCAR).

Many thanks to all who participated in, sponsored and assisted with our Annual Pickleball Tournament. And many thanks to our photographers:
Warrie Dennis
Joe Salee
Tim Ostrander
Christy Casey
Greg Willmore

A collection of photos of the event can be found at these links:

Saturday, June 10 Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PYLAap0bvE0KeHPp3MWeer-aEfpnuA-7?usp=sharing

Sunday, June 11 Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZfLiau8w-5rye_l6B6NPv7kSzVmLpy5L?usp=sharing

COVID-19 test scams are at the highest they have ever been. If you have been receiving COVID-19 tests that you didn’t order, please contact the #SeniorMedicarePatrol. Be on the lookout for calls, emails, and even visits to your home that don’t seem right. Be sure to follow the SMP to keep up to date on scams.

The June edition of Caregiver Connection is at this link: https://thrive-alliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/June-2023-Caregiver-Connection.pdf