LIFE Program Helps Combat Food Insecurity Among Seniors Amid Rising Costs in Butler County

As the cost of living continues to rise, more seniors in Butler County and across the nation are struggling to afford basic necessities with food at the top of the list.

Food insecurity among older adults is worsening. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 11.4% of households with a senior living alone are food insecure, nearly double the 6% reported in 2006. In Butler County alone, nearly 2,840 seniors — about 7% of the senior population — live below the poverty line, according to U.S. Census data.

National nonprofit Feeding America projects that if current trends continue, more than 9 million seniors across the U.S. could face food insecurity by 2050.

“The overall costs of everything, from utilities to the food that they’re eating, has put seniors in a difficult position,” said Beth Herold, director of the Butler County Area Agency on Aging. “Their income is not going up, but they continually have to pay more.”

To meet their nutritional needs, more seniors are turning to support services like the LIFE (Living Independence For the Elderly) program, which provides medical care and food assistance for adults 55 and older. In Western Pennsylvania, LIFE programs are operated by VieCare in Butler, Armstrong, Beaver, and Lawrence counties.

A key component of LIFE is the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNP), which provides daily breakfasts, lunches, and grocery deliveries directly to participants’ homes. Unlike  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federal food stamp program, SNP is designed to enhance the meals already provided through LIFE — not replace them.

“The program makes it easier for seniors to obtain food by eliminating barriers such as transportation and affordability,” said Darla Evans, director of nutritional services for LIFE. “With demand increasing, support is more critical than ever.”

As of February, 189 seniors across the four counties — including 39 in Butler County — rely on LIFE’s food services.

“With grocery prices continuing to rise, the demand for this service is at an all-time high,” said Harold Aughton, director of system marketing for Lutheran SeniorLife, a LIFE program partner.

Participants say the help is vital. “I’ve had to adjust my grocery list. I can’t afford eggs or fresh fruits and vegetables anymore,” said Barbara Chaffins, a senior enrolled in the Butler LIFE program. “I’ve been able to make payments on my regular bills, but I have to pick and choose on other things.”

Another participant, Daniel Knight, said he now has less than $100 a month left after paying rent.

“I’ve had to choose between purchasing food or paying my bills,” Knight said.

As inflation squeezes fixed incomes, programs like LIFE are becoming more than just helpful — they’re essential. By removing barriers to food access and easing the daily burden on older adults, these services ensure that no senior in our community is left behind or forgotten.