211 Calls from Seniors, Food Related, Cuyahoga

COVID-19 has had a negative impact on seniors and their ability to obtain enough healthy food. Many seniors who with to age in place in their homes rely on social settings such as senior centers for many of their meals, and they have been unable to access these sites during the pandemic.

In addition, home-delivered meals providers have reported issues finding volunteers to deliver food. The rise in requests for food pantry assistance indicates that traditional methods of feeding seniors haven’t always been available during the pandemic.

COVID-related impact on Seniors
Decrease in calls about soup kitchens/community meals (served buffet style in public places) – down by 54.0%

Increase in no and low-contact meals:

• Grocery ordering and delivery now in Top 5 subcategories, with >3.5% of food-related calls
• Home-delivered meals – call share up 28.9% from 2019
• Food pantries – call share up 1.8% from 2019
• Calls for food stamp / SNAP assistance calls share up 77.4% from 2019

Source:
United Way of Greater Cleveland - 211 Data