POTSDAM — The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) awarded the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative a grant to address food insecurity among seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic with the new Senior Squad program.

The mission of NYSHealth is to expand health insurance coverage, increase access to high-quality health care services, and improve public and community health.

Under this grant, the Health Initiative will help replicate a program to address senior hunger in additional food pantries in St. Lawrence County. The Senior Squad program was originally developed at a single food pantry location to bring items to homebound seniors and those with disabilities living in high-rise residences.

In this 6-month pilot program, the Health Initiative is partnering with Church and Community Program in Canton, Norfolk-Raymondville Food Pantry, and the Tri-Town Food Pantry to establish home-delivery of food pantry items to eligible seniors who cannot access the food pantry because of either a lack of transportation or concerns about COVID exposure.

Support of the project was also received by the Food Bank of Central New York which is based in Syracuse and serves food pantry members in St. Lawrence County.

Near the conclusion of the 6-month pilot, the Health Initiative will partner with the SLC Food Access Program Alliance and its member network of food access programs to establish Senior Squad in other food pantries in the county.

To inquire about eligibility to be enrolled in Senior Squad, contact Karen Bage, community coordinator at the Health Initiative at 315-261-4760 extension 228 or karen@gethealthyslc.org.

Participating food pantries can be contacted directly as well.