Host Janet Michael sits down with Les Sinclair, Communications and PR Manager of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to explore how older Americans are both the backbone of the food bank's volunteer workforce and one of its most vulnerable populations. With May designated as Older Americans Month — and the 2026 theme being "Champion Your Health" — the conversation digs into rising food insecurity numbers, the critical role of nutrition, and how the food bank is adapting to increasing demand and shrinking federal support.

Key Topics Covered

Older Americans as Volunteers

Seniors make up a large portion of food pantry volunteers, particularly through church-based programs
Over 50% of food pantries operate out of churches
Seniors are "aging out" of heavy lifting tasks — food bank supports partners with electric pallet jacks and other equipment

Seniors as Food Recipients

1 in 5 seniors visits a food pantry at some point
Fixed incomes leave little flexibility when prices rise (gas, groceries, prescriptions)
Many seniors batch all monthly errands into a single trip, including food pantry visits
Transportation and mobility challenges drive demand for delivery-based food services

The Numbers

32+ million pounds of food distributed last fiscal year
Currently tracking to exceed that — 16.6 million pounds in the first half of this fiscal year
Monthly guest visits have risen from ~171,200 (last fiscal year average) to ~177,000 currently
Peak of 194,000 visits recorded in October 2025 amid government shutdown uncertainty
USDA food supply is down 31%, requiring the food bank to purchase more food to fill the gap

Food as Medicine

5.5 million pounds of the food distributed is produce
Proper nutrition can help manage chronic conditions: high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes
Food bank partners with healthcare clinics to screen patients for food insecurity and send them home with food that meets dietary needs
Variety and choice matter — food that isn't eaten provides no nutrition

Senior-Specific Programs

CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) / Senior Food Boxes — USDA-funded monthly food boxes for income-qualifying seniors; packed in Charlottesville, distributed region-wide from Winchester to Lynchburg; recently supplemented with additional produce boxes
Reach Boxes — Food bank's own program for seniors who don't qualify for USDA boxes; same concept, purchased food

USDA Funding & the Farm Bill

USDA product reductions create ripple effects throughout the food distribution network
The Farm Bill is critical to maintaining nutrition programs, supporting farmers, and funding food banks
Smaller pantries may not have the budget to fill USDA gaps — the food bank has issued financial credits to ~120 pantries
Food bank is spending ~$700,000 on 400,000 pounds of high-quality, culturally specific proteins (chicken, fish, beef, peanut butter) to distribute for free to partners

How the Food Bank is Funded

Over 75% of funding comes from individual donors — people giving $5–$10/month
$10 = 30 meals; community giving compounds significantly at scale
Large corporate donations are rare in the region

Upcoming Event: Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Date: Saturday, May 9th

Organized by the Letter Carriers Association (not the post office)
Leave non-perishable food items by your mailbox before 8:00 AM
Letter carriers will collect and deliver to local pantries or the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
Largest food drive of the year
Tips: No glass containers, no perishables — canned goods and boxed items preferred
Can also donate online in honor of your letter carrier

How to Get Involved

Donate food: Leave items at your mailbox on May 9th for Stamp Out Hunger
Donate money: Even $5–$10/month makes a difference
Find a pantry or get help: brafb.org