Indianapolis, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Staff at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana noticed that many food-insecure older adults had mobility challenges that prevented them from easily transporting their groceries. This forced many food pantry patrons to collect the amount of food they could carry rather than the amount they actually needed. To address this, the food bank purchased 54 shopping carts for agencies participating in its Senior Shopping Day program. To ensure the carts remained in the agencies' possession, Gleaners outfitted each one with a security tag. Project organizers say chronic hunger is particularly damaging for older adults, leaving them susceptible to chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression. The new carts represent one way to customize hunger relief services for this population.

Duluth, MN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: This project will invite older adults to become vibrant participants in Duluth's farmers markets and mobile grocery program by increasing opportunities to connect through volunteering, community visioning and intergenerational play.

Memphis, TN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: To combat food insecurity and increase opportunities for socialization, this project created The Exodus Marketplace. The space now hosts a monthly farmers market, a book club and more.