By Bekah Clawson, President & CEO
Summer Heat Puts Seniors at Risk, But the Community Can Help
Every community has neighbors facing resource insecurity, but every community also has people who show up to help. Here in Indiana, that spirit of compassion is part of who we are. Hoosiers have looked out for one another, especially when the summer heat becomes more than just uncomfortable — it becomes dangerous.
While summer hunger for children is a familiar issue, there is another group quietly struggling through these hot months: older adults. Seniors face unique challenges during the summer, and many are doing so alone. Rising temperatures, higher utility bills, and fixed incomes create a perfect storm that puts their health and stability at risk.
At Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, we hear from seniors who ration food so they can afford their medications. We meet older adults who keep their air conditioning off during heat waves because they fear the electric bill. We talk with grandparents raising grandchildren who suddenly face the cost of feeding growing kids all summer long. These are not abstract stories — they are the lived experiences of our neighbors from down south in Knightstown all the way up to North Manchester.
Food insecurity among seniors is rising nationwide, but the impact is especially visible in communities like ours. In Madison County, for example, there are a higher‑than‑average percentage of older adults living alone, and many lack reliable transportation. When the heat index climbs, simply getting to the grocery store becomes a barrier. For seniors with chronic health conditions, skipping meals or eating low‑nutrition foods can worsen their symptoms and increase hospitalizations.
That is why our Senior Safety Net program and Mobile Market® distributions are so critical during the summer months. These programs bring fresh produce, dairy, proteins, and pantry staples directly into neighborhoods – including senior housing communities -reducing transportation barriers and ensuring older adults can access nutritious food with dignity. We also distribute hygiene items, shelf‑stable meals, and cooling‑friendly foods that don’t require long cooking times, helping seniors stay safe during extreme heat.
And this summer, the impact of community support is even greater.
Thanks to the Pacers Foundation, every gift made in July and August is DOUBLED. The Pacers Foundation has a long history of investing in Indiana communities, especially in programs that support youth, strengthen families, and promote health and wellness. Their commitment to addressing hunger reflects a deep understanding that food security is foundational to stability – for children, for families, and for seniors.
This match comes at a time when demand for senior‑focused food assistance is rising. Many older adults in our community are still recovering from pandemic‑era isolation, increased medical costs, and inflation that has stretched fixed incomes to the breaking point. A matched gift today helps ensure that seniors do not have to choose between cooling their homes and filling their refrigerators.
A $25 gift becomes $50. A $100 gift becomes $200. A $500 gift becomes $1,000.
Every dollar goes twice as far – directly supporting seniors who have spent their lives contributing to this community and now need our help.
Anderson has always been a city defined by resilience. From its manufacturing legacy to its ongoing revitalization, this community knows how to adapt and how to care for one another. You see it in volunteers who deliver food during heat advisories. You see it in neighbors checking on older adults living alone. You see it in donors who believe that no senior in East Central Indiana should face hunger or heat‑related hardship.
Now is the perfect time to join them.
Your generosity this summer will help seniors stay healthy, nourished, and safe. It will ensure that older adults – many of whom have spent decades strengthening this community – receive the support they deserve.
Together, with the Pacers Foundation and compassionate neighbors like you, we can make sure summer is a season of care, not crisis, for our community’s seniors.