Polk County’s senior population is growing and so is the number of older adults who can’t consistently access nutritious food. Rising costs, fixed incomes, and mobility issues are leaving many seniors one unexpected bill away from hunger.
According to the 2025 Demographics Guide by the City of Lakeland, Polk County’s older population is among the county’s fastest-growing age groups, with residents 65 and older increasing by roughly 3.1% in recent years.
For thousands of seniors in Polk County, Volunteers in Service for The Elderly (VISTE) is the lifeline keeping them fed.
What VISTE is seeing now
VISTE serves more than 4,000 seniors ages 70+ each year across western Polk County. VISTE’s food programs are built around one idea: meet seniors where they are — literally.
Demand is rising quickly.
“We’re seeing all three — increased calls, walk-ins, and higher anxiety about groceries,” said CEO Steve Bissonnette. “We’ve noticed an increase in current VISTE clients asking for help with groceries, as well as more people walking in for the first time and wanting to know if they qualify.”
VISTE’s supplemental grocery program shows the sharpest spike.
“Earlier this year, we averaged 90 to 100 people per day during our grocery pick-up week,” Bissonnette said. “Now, we’re averaging closer to 130 a day.”
Bissonnette is worried that if the strain extends into December, VISTE may need to reduce some food distributions or reevaluate what each client receives.
A growing crisis for older adults
Older adults are among the most food-insecure in the region, according to United Community Needs Assessment by United Way of Central Florida and GiveWell Community Foundation.
The Needs Assessment notes that many seniors in Polk routinely have to choose between buying food and paying for essential medications — a tradeoff that exposes them to malnutrition and worsening health.
Those choices deepen health risks. Malnutrition can worsen chronic conditions, weaken immunity, and lead to preventable hospitalizations. Polk’s demographics amplify the impact: more than 140,000 residents are 65+.
How transportation makes hunger worse
The report also identifies transportation as one of the most persistent barriers to food access, particularly for seniors who can no longer drive or who live far from supermarkets and food pantries.
Even when free food is available, they often cannot reach it. That makes home-delivered groceries and wellness checks essential.
Tom Phillips, executive director of Citrus Connection, said many VISTE clients may also qualify for Polk County’s Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program, which provides free or reduced-fare transportation for physically, mentally, emotionally, or economically disadvantaged residents. Seniors at or below the poverty line can be enrolled in both programs at the same time, giving them an alternative option for medical or medically related trips when VISTE is fully booked. To apply, residents can call 855-POLK-BUS (765-5287).
Rising anxiety among seniors
The fear VISTE hears isn’t just about groceries.
“Fear can be triggered by one topic, but it permeates everything,” Bissonnette said. “Many seniors live alone and get their information from the news. They start worrying about Social Security, benefits, everything.”
COVID-19 had clearer parameters, he said. “This is less clear. We don’t yet know how it’s affecting each person, and some of it will take time to become clear.”
What the community can do
VISTE is coordinating with Feeding Tampa Bay, United Way of Central Florida, Publix, and local churches to brace for continued increase.
“We’ve asked them to give us as much advance notice as possible if there’s going to be a reduction in the food chain.” Food supply through Feeding Tampa Bay and United Way of Central Florida remains stable — for now.
Bissonnette says all residents can play a role. “Any of us can be volunteers in service to the elderly… This started 42 years ago with neighbors helping neighbors.”
Their biggest needs are volunteers to deliver meals and shelf-stable groceries
VISTE accepts direct food donations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its headquarters (1232 E. Magnolia St.). Some of the most requested items include boxed oatmeal, pasta, cereal, granola bars, boxed potatoes, canned goods, and ground coffee.
All donated items go directly into the 1,100 supplemental grocery boxes VISTE distributes to elderly neighbors each month.
Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas from UCIndicators.org: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.
LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the United Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.
Kayla Borg is a reporter for LkldNow, a nonprofit newsroom providing independent local news for Lakeland. Read at LkldNow.com.
