MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is a national advocacy organization based in Los Angeles, Calif.

A major concern, according to Abby Leibman, CEO of MAZON, is senior hunger.

One in six seniors lives in poverty and 65 percent of seniors who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds do not use them.

The issue has reached a critical point as 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day and 56 percent of U.S. retirees have outstanding debt.

One in three seniors is food insecure and/or disabled.

Thirty percent must choose between food and medicine.

Locally, MAZON, which means "food" or "sustenance" in Hebrew, is partnering with the Jewish Family of the Lehigh Valley to raise awareness on the issue of senior hunger.

"Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the nation in senior population," said Debbie Zoller, Jewish Family Services executive director.

There has been an increase in seniors who are coming to the JFS food pantry; however, Zoller suspects there remains a very large senior population in the Lehigh Valley suffering in silence.

Although SNAP offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families, many seniors are hesitant to apply for benefits.

Eva Buck, JFS benefits ambassador coordinator, said there is a stigma attached to accepting government assistance.

"You have supported these programs and benefits as taxpayers for many years," she reminds seniors. "You are entitled to collect."

She also points out every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.35 in economic activity.

Moreover, Buck said, seniors are somewhat resistant to technology or may not have computers to access the benefits forms.

Buck emphasizes she is available to help access and complete the application which, at 26 pages, may seem daunting.

With SNAP benefits, formerly the Food Stamp Program, available, why the need for a food bank pantry?

Buck is quick to point out some families may qualify for a maximum benefit but others get as little as $16 a month.

A MAZON poster, hanging prominently in Buck's office, points out exactly what $16 will buy: one dozen eggs, $2; one gallon milk, $3.56; two pounds rice, $1.46; two pounds bananas, $1.20; one pound beans, $1.49; two pounds chicken legs, $3.16. Total - $15.78.

The JFS Food Pantry program strives to help not only seniors but also all those who need to supplement their benefits.

Through a grant received from MAZON, JFS actively educates its synagogue partners and others in the community about hunger, and advocates at the state level to ensure hungry people have access to nutritious food, with "nutritious" being a key word.

A popular myth about hungry people is they look thin and emaciated.

However, according to MAZON, there is a correlation between obesity and hunger.

Often what little food people can afford is unhealthy and processed, with low nutritional value.

MAZON, created in 1985 to be a bridge between the relative abundance of the American Jewish community and the desperate need felt by millions of hungry people, began by encouraging American Jews to donate a portion of the cost of life-cycle celebrations.

This follows the ancient rabbinical tradition of not allowing a celebration to begin until the community poor and hungry were seated and fed.

The JFS supports the tradition through its "Centerpieces for Tzedakah" project.

Volunteers create baskets of food as an alternative to floral centerpieces for luncheons, organizational programs, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, anniversaries, birthday parties and other celebrations.

The baskets are rented for a fee and all proceeds are used to buy items for the pantry.

With the festive holiday of Passover, being celebrated April 4-11, Zoller encourages seniors and those who care for them to contact JFS.

"We want to help them access their benefits so they get the nutrition they need," she said.

The pantry provides assistance to all those living within the 18104 zip code area during times of great need.

Volunteers manage the pantry 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

For more information or to schedule an appointment at the pantry, call the Lehigh Valley Jewish Family Service at 610-821-8722.