NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — At St. Vincent De Paul in New Port Richey, boxes of food are distributed throughout the week to people of all backgrounds.

The center is noticing a growing trend of more seniors seeking help.

Vera Koehnke is the vice president of St. Vincent De Paul and helps coordinate giving out food. She said that in March the center served nearly 2,700 people, many of them elderly.

“Seniors 65 plus is 721 (meals). It’s high,” Koehnke said.

She said it’s tough for many who are on a fixed income.

“We have seniors that live in their cars. Women, they can’t afford the rents. The rents are too high for them. Their spouses passed away, they lost an income, so they cannot afford housing and they will end up on the streets,” Koehnke said.

According to a 2023 study by Meals on Wheels, 12 million seniors nationwide experience food insecurity or hunger.

“We basically hear different stories. People will come in and we do help with electric bills. We help with water bills. We help people with their prescriptions. Different things we help them with,” Koehnke said.

Koehnke says it’s a tough situation with rising costs in housing, food and energy. She says seniors have to pick and chose what they can pay for, and that’s why many turn to food pantries to help.

She doesn’t expect it to get better soon and says St. Vincent De Paul is always in need of more food and supplies.