Food insecurity is an issue for people of all ages in the district, but older adults in DC have the highest rate of hunger in comparison to the rest of the nation, Feeding America reports. DC Hunger Solutions found that in 2020, nearly a third of older adults living in DC expressed they experience anxiety about having enough food, and in response, many have reduced the quality and quantity of food they consume. Mary’s Center has been working to alleviate food insecurity among the older adult population in the region through the Eat Well, Live Senior Nutrition Program, in partnership with the DC Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) and HUNGRY, a nationwide high-quality food provider.

During National Nutrition Month®, we are excited to spotlight one of the Eat Well, Live Better Program’s dedicated volunteers, Tom Carmody, whose efforts contribute to the success of this initiative.

Tom, who started volunteering with Mary’s Center in spring 2021, was interested in getting involved with this specific program because of his past efforts to help the older adult population in DC. A two-decade resident of Northwest DC, Tom described how he attempted to start a senior village in Columbia Heights a few years ago, but the idea never gained momentum. When he learned that Mary’s Center had this new program connecting older adults in the area to critical resources, he immediately jumped on the opportunity to get involved. Working with older adults has a personal importance to Tom, as he helped his aging parents navigate medical appointments and tricky bureaucratic systems. “Seniors have spent their entire lives working for and helping others; now they deserve the same in return. All they really need is an advocate to help them through it,” explained Tom.

As a volunteer, Tom commits around six hours a week to calling older adults to collect their comments on the Eat Well, Live Better! , and occasionally providing other logistical support where needed. Tom said his favorite part of volunteering with Mary’s Center is the social aspect: “I really enjoy being able to connect with people, whether I am collecting their or referring them to other resources.” During these intake calls, Tom asks questions to learn about the older adults’ diet, social networks, and mental health. “It’s amazing how the delivery of some groceries can connect the dots. Once we start talking, I’m able to help these folks with a variety of needs by referring them to Mary’s Center programs. At the end of the day, I’m just the guy on the phone, but knowing that Mary’s Center specialists are available to get these older adults help, whether it be anything from mental health professionals to legal services makes the contact successful.”

While the program was started to help older adults during the hardest parts of the pandemic, it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Since September 2020, nearly 8,000 boxes filled with fresh produce, whole grains, nutrition education, and wellness materials have reached 600 homes. Tom encouraged others to get involved to support the thriving program – “we need more callers, Spanish-speaking callers, people to connect participants to city resources.”

We are so grateful for our volunteers like Tom who are advancing Mary’s Center’s work to improve the health and wellbeing of those we serve. Without their selfless dedication, we wouldn’t be able to provide the magnitude of services and resources that are available today.

Interested in becoming a volunteer for the Eat Well, Live Better! Program?  Email volunteer@maryscenter.org for more information.