Local organization works to combat hunger in growing senior population

Weekday mornings, volunteers at the Atascadero Meals That Connect dining site are cooking, bagging, and driving meals to hungry seniors across the county.

With San Luis Obispo County’s senior population growing faster than the rest of the state, this work is more critical than ever.

“We are experiencing an increase in seniors," said Laura Kelsay, Meals That Connect Executive Director. "In San Luis Obispo County, [we] are at about 26% of seniors in our population, whereas the State of California is about 17%, and that's projected to increase to 30% by 2030.”

Kelsay says that nearly 40% of San Luis Obispo County’s elderly population is living below the poverty line.

At the same time, the organization is facing a 25% cut in federal funding and a leadership change at the end of the year.