Malnutrition is becoming prevalent among Philadelphia residents 60 and older. A recent Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) survey revealed that hunger/malnutrition rose 11 percent among this group between 2015 and 2018.

Last year, 38,000 Philadelphians age 60 and older experienced hunger compared to 32,000 in 2015.

A common result of hunger is malnutrition, which be caused by skipping meals or eating the wrong types of foods. An imbalanced diet deficient in proteins, minerals and calories, and high in salt and fats (such as found in cheap foods: soda, candy, chips and ice cream) adds to a senior’s medical problems. Also, certain medications can cause seniors to lose their appetites. Many others are not able to leave their homes or have no transportation to shop for food.

The Carole Landis Foundation supports vulnerable people in Philadelphia and its suburbs. Since its inception in 2015, the Foundation has given yearly grants to Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia (JFGP) safety net programs for poverty-level and below poverty-level designated populations, regardless of their religion, race or culture. These programs provide hot nutritious lunches at senior centers, food meals through Meals On Wheels for those who are home-bound, and pantry staples through the Mitzvah Food Program.

The 23-year-old Mitzvah Food Program consists of volunteers, local nutritionists and collaboration with local and state hunger-relief organizations, synagogues and community organizations in order to acquire low cost staples throughout the year.

During 2017 and 2018 JFGP’s Mitzvah Food Program distributed 903,782 pounds of food to 8,607 clients in five locations of the Delaware Valley. Mitzvah Food Program also collaborates with Philabundance, Quaker Valley Foods and Chelten House Products.

Carole Landis sits on the Board of Trustees of Jewish Federation, and is active on various internal commissions/boards that vet and distribute grants to many of the safety net program organizations.