; Pennsylvania
Green thumbs As part of the
national Drive to End Hunger,
AARP Pennsylvania volunteers
distributed packets of carrot and
cucumber seeds at the spring
groundbreaking ceremonies for
the state’s Capitol Hunger Garden,
now in its second season. Members
of the AARP Citizen Advocate
Team are also helping to tend the
1,000-square-foot plot adjacent
to the state Capitol in Harrisburg.
The crops are donated to local
food banks. ; AARP also distributed seed packets to more than
138 chapters statewide, along with
Create the Good tool kits on how
to start a community garden. For a
copy of the guide, go to createthe
good.org/howto. To learn more
about the Capitol Hunger Garden
Project, visit pahungergarden.org.
Those who support the project
with a donation of $25 or more will
receive a jar of salsa.
; Delaware
Take note About half of Delaware adults age 50-plus say health care
is the biggest challenge facing state residents at midlife and later, a
recent AARP survey found. Three in 10 cite economic issues as their top
concern. The survey also found 57 percent of adults are worried about
not having adequate long-term care choices in their communities if they
or family members need care. Almost all respondents said it’s important
to have choices that allow people to stay in their homes as long as possible. ; “With the state’s population aging, it’s more important than ever
to listen to our community,” said Lucretia Young, AARP state director.
“Understanding AARP members’ challenges and dreams allows us to
provide information that can help them live their best lives.” ; For more
survey results, go to aarp.org/de.
; District of Columbia
The bard’s bargain The Shakespeare Theatre Company is offering discount packages for AARP members who want to attend matinee
performances of The Merchant of Venice on July 10, 17 or 20. ; The $50
silver package includes a show ticket, folio guide and free drink. The $85
gold package includes the same plus a pre-show educational session and
a box lunch. ; Performances and pre-show events are held at Sidney
Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW, in the historic Penn Quarter neighborhood.
For more information, visit shakespearetheatre.org or call the box office
at 202-547-1122 and mention promotion code AARPS for the silver package or AARPG for the gold package.
; West Virginia
Fresh food Low-income West
Virginians age 60 and older
may be eligible for $20 worth of
vouchers to buy fresh produce
at farmers’ markets across the
state. ; Beginning July 1, participants can register for the state
Department of Agriculture’s
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program at any state Bureau
of Senior Services senior center
location. Participants can pick
up the vouchers when they register, and the vouchers are valid
through Oct. 31. ; To be eligible,
participants must have annual
income of less than $20,147 for
an individual, $27,214 for a couple or $34,281 for a household of
three. For more information, go
to aarp.org/wv.
; DatabankUSA
Ala. 94.4
Alaska 1.2
Ariz. 56.3
Ark. 56
Calif. 239.1
Colo. 48. 5
Conn. 738.1
D.C. 9856.5
Del. 460.8
Fla. 350.6
Ga. 168.4
Hawaii 211.8
Idaho 19
Ill. 231.1
Ind. 181
Iowa 54.5
Kan. 34. 9
Ky. 109.9
La. 104.9
Maine 43.1
Md. 594.8
Mass. 839.4
Mich. 174.8
Minn. 66.6
Miss. 63.2
Mo. 87.1
Mont. 6. 8
Neb. 23. 6
Nev. 24. 6
N.H. 147
N.J. 1195.5
N.M. 17
N.Y. 411.2
N.C. 196.1
N.D. 9. 7
Ohio 282.3
Okla. 54.7
Ore. 39. 9
Pa. 283.9
R.I. 1018.1
S.C. 153.9
S.D. 10. 7
Tenn. 153.9
Texas 96.3
Utah 33. 6
Vt. 67.9
Va. 202.6
Wash. 101.2
W.Va. 77.1
Wis. 105
Wyo. 5. 8
P. R. 1088.2
; New Jersey
Utility help The Affordable
Housing Alliance is helping
families in financial distress pay
their utility bills and avoid energy
shutoffs. AARP worked to secure
funding for the program, which
was created by a $25 million grant
from the state Board of Public
Utilities. ; Grants of up to $1,500
are available to individuals and
families who have received past-due notices but may not be eligible
for other assistance programs.
Visit housingall.org or call 732-389-
2204 to find out if you qualify. ; If
service has already been shut off,
call NJ SHARES toll-free at 1-866-
657-4273 or visit njshares.org. For
other energy assistance programs
in New Jersey, call the New Jersey
Department of Community Affairs
toll-free at 1-800-510-3102.
—Reports by Donya Currie
SOURCE:
2010 U.S.
CENSUS
aarp.org/states
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