[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

This Convoy carries HOPE!

Treasure Coast Food Bank supplies food boxes to 3,200 

senior households through annual Convoy of H.O.P.E.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. Jan. 16, 2020 – Treasure Coast Food Bank’s Convoy of H.O.P.E. will roll out on Thursday, Jan. 23, destined for seniors across the Treasure Coast who struggle with hunger year-round.

This marks the 5^th year that the convoy of Treasure Coast Food Bank trucks will depart its Fort Pierce headquarters. This year, the four trucks will be carrying a total of 3,200 boxes of nutritious food for area seniors, the fastest-growing population facing food insecurity.

“Many of our seniors who live on fixed incomes and who struggle year-round need some added help to get healthy, nutritious food,” said Judith Cruz, Treasure Coast Food Bank President and CEO. “There are more than 18,000 food-insecure seniors living in the four counties we serve, and as more and more Baby Boomers reach retirement and the difficulty of living on a fixed income, we expect to see that number increase.

“This year will be especially difficult for those receiving SNAP benefits,” Cruz added. “They will see their monthly benefits reduced by an average of $68 because of new SNAP rules going into effect in April.” Cruz will share more about senior hunger at a 2 p.m. press conference preceding the convoy’s departure.

The Convoy of H.O.P.E. – or Healthy Options Program for the Elderly– is one of several Treasure Coast Food Bank programs that targets senior hunger. It is a critical need considering that:

• Florida’s seniors have a higher rate of food insecurity than the national average
• Food insecurity among Florida Baby Boomers ages 50-59 is higher than the national average
• More than 18,000 seniors in the area served by Treasure Coast Food Bank are food-insecure
• Food-insecure seniors live in both rural and urban pockets across the Treasure Coast.

Each box contains food that seniors can prepare easily for themselves and that contribute to a healthy diet for seniors. Those foods include beans, pasta, canned vegetables, canned fruit, apple juice, peanut butter, and low-sugar snacks. The boxes also will contain some nutrition education and recipes.

Nearly 30 organizations that serve seniors will be receiving boxes from the Convoy of H.O.P.E., including the Senior Resource Association in Vero Beach, St. Lucie Housing Authority, the Salvation Army in Okeechobee, and Kane Center in Martin County.

CONVOY OF H.O.P.E. FACT SHEET

WHAT:           CONVOY OF H.O.P.E. – A convoy of Treasure Coast Food Bank trucks carrying 3,200 boxes of nutritious food for Treasure Coast seniors.

WHERE:         Departing from Treasure Coast Food Bank’s headquarters, 401 Angle Road, Fort Pierce, and heading to locations in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and                          Okeechobee counties.

WHEN:           2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

 WHY:             Seniors are the fastest-growing population facing food insecurity as Baby Boomers continue to reach retirement age, and more than 18,000 seniors on the                              Treasure Coast struggle to have enough nutritious food for a healthy lifestyle.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]