Food insecurity a grim reality for seniors, low income families cash strapped by economy

In the shadow of Sarasota’s luxury condos and waterfront mansions, an urgent crisis is growing: food insecurity. Rising costs and fixed incomes are pushing more seniors and low-income families to the brink of hunger, even as many residents enjoy the region’s fine dining and high-end lifestyle.

While Sarasota’s affluent residents indulge in upscale restaurants and catered gatherings, a growing segment of the population struggles to afford basic groceries. Known as food insecurity, this crisis reflects the region’s widening socioeconomic gap. Despite reports of slowing inflation and minor price drops on everyday items, food costs remain a persistent hurdle for millions of Floridians.

Statewide, approximately 10.6% of residents experience food insecurity — a rate mirrored in Sarasota. However, neighboring Manatee County faces an even starker reality, with nearly 17% of residents affected. In Charlotte and DeSoto counties, over 11% also grapple with accessing affordable, nutritious food.

Nationally, the problem is growing. More than 50 million Americans relied on food assistance programs in 2023, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released in September. The USDA noted a significant increase in food insecurity over the past three years, with 13.5% of U.S. households—about 18 million—affected in 2023, up from 10.5% in 2020. Experts attribute the rise to lingering economic challenges from the pandemic and inflationary pressures.

For Sarasota, DeSoto, and Manatee counties, the strain has been compounded by hurricanes, rising insurance premiums, and skyrocketing housing costs. Seniors, in particular, are bearing the brunt. Advocates say fixed incomes, federal rollbacks on social services, and rising expenses are eroding decades of savings.

Community organizations are stepping in to bridge the gap. Local nonprofits are mobilizing to provide relief, with holiday food distributions offering a crucial lifeline to families in need.

In Venice, a mobile home park food distribution program led by Bill and Carolyn Capozzi delivers over 3,100 pounds of food weekly to 850 seniors. Known as The Veterans Club of Bay Isles food initiative, the program began as a small shelf in the community center but grew after Hurricane Ian highlighted urgent needs.

“We started out with a little shelf and we could not keep it stocked. I knew we needed help, so I reached out to All Faiths and we, luckily, met their criteria for help. We’ve known there was a need since (Hurricane) Ian,” Capozzi said. “We opened a soup kitchen from our RV after Ian and we fed residents one meal a day for 17 days until we ran out of food and couldn’t anymore.”

Since then, the Capozzis and their team of volunteers have partnered with All Faiths Food Bank, the leading food pantry for the Sarasota-DeSoto County region, to operate a weekly distribution site for residents.

In early October, a few days after Hurricane Helene reached parts of Southwest Florida, about 200 seniors filled carts with potatoes, carrots, rice, lettuce, and other necessities, including multivitamins and first aid supplies. Though all pantry visitors collected the free items to restock their homes, less than a handful of seniors felt comfortable opening up about their personal food struggles.

“We know that people are relying on us, but a lot of them are too proud to ask for help,” Capozzi said. “They’re living day to day and without things so this is what our pantry is for. I try to encourage them to get extra for their neighbors who are too proud to come or too proud to ask for help.”

Volunteer Debbie Huff, a recreation director at the mobile home park, has witnessed the struggle firsthand. She reiterated the shame seniors are feeling and confirmed that the rising costs of food has forced many seniors to turn to the food pantry despite the stigma surrounding handouts.

“I think the residents are really struggling with that. The rising costs is hard for them. When they come to the here to the pantry many of them get wide-eyed and excited when they see fresh vegetables that we have … they say they can’t afford them at the store anymore,” Huff said.

With the holidays approaching, food advocacy groups have ramped up annual efforts. All Faiths Food Bank’s annual Thanksgiving drive is expected to distribute 13,500 turkeys and holiday meals this season.

Seniors account for 23% of the population served by All Faiths Food Bank. The pantry has already assisted 12,000 seniors this year.

All Faiths Food Bank and its team of volunteers and community partners hosted two Thanksgiving grocery distributions at Booker Middle School and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in late November. The Booker Thanksgiving drive saw more than 600 individuals visit the turkey drive ahead of last week’s Thanksgiving holiday. Combined with the organization’s annual Van Wezel turkey drive distribution, All Faiths estimates over 13,500 families received holiday meals ahead of Thanksgiving last week. Sarasota and DeSoto County food distribution sites are available throughout the year at allfaithsfoodbank.org/foodfinder.

As Sarasota’s skyline continues to rise, so does the demand for basic resources among its most vulnerable residents. With holiday and hurricane seasons adding pressure, grassroots organizations may be the only buffer against hunger for many families.

Samantha Gholar covers social justice for USA Today Network-Florida. Connect with her via email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Food prices climb but fixed incomes keep vulnerable food insecure