Bob Dole sparks Kansas food bank program

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RUSSELL, Kan., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole pitched in to help a Kansas food bank start a new program to aid low-income elderly people in the state.

The Kansas Food Bank announced the "Bob Box" program, which will deliver a box of groceries to needy senior citizens once a month and was launched with the help of $250,000 in seed money from Dole.

"Seniors in rural Kansas have limited access to hunger relief associations," Dole said in a written statement. "Those living in extreme poverty have no means to stock their kitchen shelves."

Dole, who grew up in Russell, Kan., noted that senior citizens are often too proud to ask for help. The sentiment was echoed by Brian Walker, the head of the Kansas Food Bank, The (Wichita, Kan.) Daily Eagle said.

Walker said the Bob Box programs requires about $1.6 million to ensure everyone in Kansas who needs one gets one. He hopes to have the state fully covered within five years.