AARP, Stop & Shop team up to stock shelves
Date: 9/11/2012
By Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD Representatives from AARP Massachusetts teamed up with local Stop & Shop supermarkets on Sept. 5 for a food drive to help fill the shelves at the Open Pantry in Springfield and the Community Survival Center in Indian Orchard.
In total, the one-day drive collected nearly 5,000 lbs. of non-perishable items for the local food pantries. The event was part of AARP's month-long campaign to raise awareness of a growing hunger problem among the elder population of the state. An estimated 120,000 elders are eligible for food assistance, but have not taken advantage of help provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
AARP is hosting registration programs statewide at local libraries to assist elders with SNAP applications. For more information visit
aarp.org/ma or call 866-448-3621.