Polk County’s senior population is growing and so is the number of older adults who can’t consistently access nutritious food. Rising costs, fixed incomes, and mobility issues are leaving many seniors one unexpected bill away from hunger.
According to the 2025 Demographics Guide by the City of Lakeland, Polk County’s older population is among the county’s fastest-growing age groups, with residents 65 and older increasing by roughly 3.1% in recent years.
For thousands of seniors in Polk County, Volunteers in Service for The Elderly (VISTE) is the lifeline keeping them fed.
What VISTE is seeing now
VISTE serves more than 4,000 seniors ages 70+ each year across western Polk County. VISTE’s food programs are built around one idea: meet seniors where they are — literally…