Berrien Community Foundation made the holiday season a little brighter for 1,100 senior citizens in Berrien County through Senior Care Kits.
For the last handful of years, Berrien Community Foundation has spearheaded the project that gives seniors a package full of basic hygiene item as well as holiday goodies. Items include lotion, shampoo, cozy socks, ear muffs, deck of cards, crossword puzzles and more.
"This is like Christmas for me," said Jean, who received the giftwrapped present.
According to Census Reporter, 11% of seniors live in poverty. Other statistics show that, when out-of-pocket medical costs are factored in, 1 in 7 seniors are below the poverty level. The number of Senior Care Kits needed has exploded in the last couple years, now with BCF offering a record 1,100.
But none of that could be accomplished without the dozens of volunteers, sponsors and partners who have stepped up.
More than 100 volunteers either took care kits home to assemble and wrap. Community groups also raised their hand to help count and sort items behind the scenes.
The Lester & Barbara Paige Sr. Endowment Fund at Berrien Community Foundation helps to fund this project along with support from Corewell Health Foundation (formerly Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation), Frederick S. Upton Foundation, Heart of Cook Foundation and private donations, and an in-kind donation from Honor Credit Union.
We partner with Area Agency on Aging, Meals on Wheels and Neighbor By Neighbor to spread the joy to seniors in their service areas.
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