Evidence-Based Intervention Discussion “Food banks have the potential to improve food security outcomes when operational resources are adequate, provisions of perishable food groups are available, and client needs are identified and addressed.” (Lixia Ge, Chun Wei Yap, Bee Hoon Heng. 2020) Coles County still has many people living in poverty expierencing food insecurity. There is a food panty in Coles County but the need is greater than the available resources. If Coles County had a food pantry with enough operational resources to help the elderly population there would be a potential for them to have better health outcomes. E1. Explanation with Example of How the Intervention will Decrease the Gap “Nutrition is an important element of health in the older population and affects the aging process. The prevalence of malnutrition is increasing in this population and is associated with a decline in: functional status, impaired muscle function, decreased bone mass, immune dysfunction, anemia, reduced cognitive function, poor wound healing, delayed recovery from surgery, higher hospital readmission rates, and mortality. (Lixia Ge, Chun Wei Yap, Bee Hoon Heng. 2020) The effects of malnutrition is severe. If as a community we don’t help bridge the gap of food insecurity in the elderly their health will continue to decline. This will put a strain on the patients and the community heath systems. If we can provide more food to people in poverty we will be giving them the freedom to make better health choices and better manage their chronic