FSL — Foundation for Senior Living — has received $23,000 in grant funding from various supporters.

Funds from the grants will be used to support food pantries in the Wickenburg Senior Center and the Peoria Community Center, providing food items to low-income seniors and families in an effort to combat growing food insecurity in Arizona.

“We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received from these organizations,” said FSL CEO Tami Bohannon. “Seniors are in dire need of relief from the rising cost of goods across the state. We want to provide relief to alleviate tough situations like making the choice between food and life-saving medications.”

According to America’s Health Rankings, 14.5% of Arizona adults age 60 and older are food insecure. Arizona ranks 37th of the 50 U.S. states for its high rates of food insecurity among seniors.

Plans for the grants include equipment to support operations at the food pantries and operating expenses for the programs, including personnel to staff the pantries, food items, packaging and fuel. The organization expects to distribute more than 500,000 pounds of food in 2023.

FSL received $5,000 from the West Valley Mavericks and $7,500 from the Arizona Food Bank Network. This investment in food security comes on the heels of the last few months of the 15% SNAP pandemic emergency allotment, where many low-income seniors now face a dramatic increase in grocery bills.

In the 2021-22 fiscal year, FSL distributed more than 300,000 pounds of food to 1,500 older adults through the Wickenburg and Peoria food pantries. An additional 170,000 pounds of food were distributed to 1,364 residents of FSL’s affordable housing communities via on-site food pantries.

FSL is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide home and community-based services and to develop energy-efficient, affordable housing to promote health, independence and dignity for all.

To learn more about FSL programs and services, visit fsl.org.