SENIOR HUNGER, A CRITICAL ISSUE

Hillside Food Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious food to low-income and limited mobility families, seniors and the chronically ill in Westchester and Putnam counties in New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut, is bringing attention to the critical issue of senior hunger. The organization, which provides its services at no cost, is helping hundreds of local elderly residents to live independently with dignity and proper nutrition.

According to Hillside’s most recent evaluation report, 82 % of elderly and disabled clients noted that they could not continue living independently — or that their lives would become significantly more difficult — without Hillside’s monthly grocery deliveries.

“Hunger among seniors is not just a food issue; it’s a health issue, a dignity issue and a quality-of-life issue,” said Kathy Purdy, CEO and founder of Hillside Food Outreach. “For many of our elderly clients, proper nutrition is critical to managing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. It’s about more than just delivering food — it’s about enabling them to live their best lives.”

Hillside Food Outreach serves over 2,000 individuals each month, with seniors comprising 34.1 % of its clients.

The nonprofit’s impact extends beyond food. Its dedicated network of over 350 volunteers not only deliver groceries but also provide companionship and emotional support to clients who may otherwise feel forgotten.

“Hillside volunteers don’t just drop off food — they bring kindness, conversation, and hope,” Purdy said. “For someone who hasn’t spoken to anyone in days or weeks, this connection can make all the difference.”

In Westchester County alone, Hillside delivers groceries to over a thousand individuals each month. However, more than 100 families are still on the waitlist, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to benefit from this vital support.

“Hunger among seniors often goes unnoticed,” Purdy noted. “They’re not standing in food pantry lines or posting about their struggles. They’re quietly suffering behind closed doors. That’s why Hillside exists — to reach those who may otherwise remain unseen and unheard.”

Hillside Food Outreach is calling on the community to join its mission to combat senior hunger. Community members can make a difference by volunteering to deliver groceries, donating to support the organization’s operations, or raising awareness about senior hunger.

Hillside Food Outreach is headquartered in Mount Kisco, New York, and operates in Fairfield County through its Danbury, Connecticut, satellite location.

What began as a micro-endeavor in 1997 by founder Kathy Purdy has grown into an essential food delivery organization, now serving more than 2,000 neighbors in need throughout Westchester, Putnam, and Fairfield counties, each and every month.