New AARP Online Tool Helps Fight Hunger in Houston

Local organizations receive 100 percent of donations to "Around the Corner Hunger"

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- AARP Foundation has launched "Around the Corner Hunger," a new online tool to help provide food to older Americans facing the threat of hunger around Houston. Available at www.aroundthecornerhunger.org, Around the Corner Hunger is an effort to raise funds at the local level for community food banks and hunger relief organizations. 100% of the donations raised will go to local hunger relief organizations to help provide a nutritious meal to an older adult.

Recent research from AARP Foundation found one in 11 older Americans is at risk of hunger, including 10.4% of older Texans. In Houston, the program will steer donations to the Houston Area Food Bank and the Southeast Texas Food Bank (Beaumont), as well as the Meals on Wheels services provided by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston.

As little as $25 will feed an older adult in need for one full week.

"Ensuring that older people have enough nutritious food is best done close to the problem, at the community level," said Bob Jackson, director of AARP Texas. "Around the Corner Hunger will help these critical organizations purchase the healthy foods older Texans need, especially in these tough economic times."

Visitors to Around the Corner Hunger can see facts and stories about hunger here in Houston and donate by credit card to AARP Foundation.  The site's virtual food drive allows users to see the types and amounts of food local organizations can purchase with their donations.

Jackson added: "Our goal is to combine our efforts with the purchasing power of local hunger relief organizations to drive donations to where they can have the biggest impact for struggling older Americans."

AARP Foundation is working to end hunger among older Americans through its Drive to End Hunger campaign.  The effort is raising awareness of hunger in America and driving resources and solutions to end this growing crisis.  To date, the Foundation has donated more than 3.5 million meals through local hunger relief organizations.

Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon has teamed with AARP, AARP Foundation and Hendrick Motorsports on the Drive to End Hunger. Gordon will bring his No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet to Fort Worth on November 6 to compete in the Sprint Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway.

To learn more, visit www.drivetoendhunger.org.