The 2017 HHS Public Service Award recipient is Ms. Jane Carlson. Ms. Jane Carlson is the founder and executive director of Food Assistance Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves low-income, non-mobile seniors in Guilford County, providing them with Groceries on Wheels.

The program is organized so as that food assistance is delivered to seniors and grandparents raising grandchildren during the third week of the month when most resources begin to run dry. Food insecurity among this group is very high with over half reporting skipping meals or eating less because they lack resources to buy sufficient food.

Food Assistance Inc., serves over 450 seniors with the help of more than 150 volunteers, who not only pack and deliver groceries but who also spend time with the participants, often becoming friends.

Ms. Carlson’s contributions to the Department of Nutrition and its students have been immeasurable. She supervises about 30 of our nutrition students each year, inspiring them to become engaged with their community and training them and providing guidance as they serve this very needy population.

She guest-lectures in Dr. Haldeman’s Community Nutrition class every spring. Further, she provides an excellent opportunity for nutrition students preparing for a career as Registered Dietitians. These students witness firsthand the many needs of older adults and gain valuable experiences interacting with a population that has a high rate of diet related chronic diseases.