♥ The Director’s Corner ♥
“What do you need? How can we help?”
I hear these questions so often while out in the community. The answer is we sure can use your help! Here are some examples:
Helping each other
Meals on Wheels
Our Meals on Wheels program is delivering more meals than we ever have- over 700 a day. That is fabulous! True- but growth brings growing pains. Everything costs more now- food, gas and staff. Our staff and vehicles are completely booked. All of our drivers are senior citizens themselves and are unable to tolerate more hours.
How can you help?
- Sign up to deliver a route. We REALLY need volunteers willing to seriously commit to one day a week. Many of our long time volunteers are burnt out or truly retiring and we need new, fresh volunteers to step up! Dedicated volunteers relieve the pressure on our paid drivers and allow us to continue the mission.
- Do you have an older vehicle you no longer use? Consider donating it to us- the donation is tax deductible and we could certainly use it! Our agency leases vehicles from State Fleet to deliver meals. As you know- there is a vehicle shortage. State Fleet doesn’t have vehicles for us to add. Your donation would be much appreciated!
- Volunteer for morning food prep. The shift runs from 7:30-9:30am each weekday. Many hands make light work – as my Mama always said!
- To volunteer or donate, click here
Senior Activities Programs
Yes, please
We need your help
The senior center clients are enjoying breakfast, lunch, and activities each weekday. Our numbers continue to grow. Pre-COVID we had 40 clients who came every day. When we first opening last year we had 25- now we are back to over 30 clients. Again- fantastic news!
How can you help?
- We need volunteers willing to lead an exercise class once a week- or even once a month. Classes are held between 10am and 11am at our downtown location. Classes run 30 minutes and are modified to be seated as our clients are unable to do standing exercise. We would love to talk to you about your skills!
- Volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge on a variety of subjects. We strive to “maintain the brain”. Would you or your office be willing to do a short presentation?
- Make an online donation to help pay for instructors for classes and food.
The Emergency Food Pantry
and the sun shines
The emergency food pantry is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-3pm. Pre- Covid most of our food was obtained through the Low Country Food Bank. However, with food shortages across the nation- grocery stores don’t have as much overstock to donate back to the community. We have become more and more reliant on grant funding to purchase food and community food drives.
How can you help?
- Could your office, church or civic group hold a food drive to support the food pantry? We are happy to pick up donations.
- We do maintain an Amazon shopping list- it’s super easy to have items shipped straight to us.
- Donations can also be made online anytime.
PS
Donna Cook
Blessed does not begin to describe how I feel each day when coming to work…so often a “job” is a bad word. I know that I am where I am supposed to be serving in this world.
Thank you for supporting our mission and allowing me to lead this super team during the crazy pandemic years!
Donna Cook, Executive Director | Charleston Area Seniors
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As life expectancy increases, it is more common than ever to find senior citizens who have elderly parents. Ideally, parents remain able to take care of themselves in their own homes. But, it is also true that many senior citizens find themselves either helping care for their elderly parent or choosing a facility that can attend to their needs.
