An estimated 339 rsvp volunteers will serve through the rsvp program of kern county

Of this number, 248 rsvp volunteers will be placed in outcome assignments. Some of their activities will include; food preparation and serving of congregate meals at senior centers to senior individuals facing issues such as food insecurities and the lack of social interaction on a daily basis. Delivery of nutritious daily meals through the meals on wheels programs, serving local food banks and gleaning projects that are dedicated to feeding the hungry, replenishing local food pantries, reducing food waste and the amount of discarded food in kern county's landfills. Assisting in senior sack distribution of supplemental food items to seniors at the end of the month facing the lack of nutritious food due to budget constraints. The primary focus of this project is healthy futures, cncs focus area. At the end of the three-year grant, those seniors receiving services will report receiving adequate nutritious food needed to maintain independent living status and aging in place, age appropriate nutrition information and an increased number of opportunities for participation in social interaction activities, equally as important in living healthy independent lives. The cncs federal investment of $47,148 will be supplemented by $44,860 of non federal resources. Kern county's 60 and over senior population currently represents 12.5% of the county's total population. In the next 10 years, this population is expected to increase by 51% as a result of the baby boomer phenomenon. As the infrastructure of programs and funding for seniors deteriorates, more seniors will be at risk, jeopardizing their health and well being, their quality of living an independent life as well. The volunteer center of kern county was established in 1972, dedicated to serving the needs of our community through the utilization of volunteers. IT prides itself in providing more than forty three years of compliance sponsorship experience with the rsvp program of kern county and the corporation for national and community service. Mission statement: to mobilize people and resources to deliver creative solutions to address community issues through volunteerism.