How Network is Helping Seniors During the Festive Season

It’s finally December, and for many of us that means the main focus right now is the holidays. This is a time to be with friends and family, eat delicious food, and celebrate the past year. However, for some, this season doesn’t carry the same joy. Some of the seniors in our community may not be able to meet with friends and family, and they end up feeling alone and isolated. At Network of Community Ministries, we work year round to make sure that our seniors feel appreciated and connected to our community through home food deliveries, companion calls, and our weekly Seniors’ Day program.

Home Food Deliveries

Throughout the year, Network’s Seniors’ Net program works to ensure that food is readily available for seniors who may not be able to get out and shop. Volunteers pick up food at our Food Pantry and deliver it straight to a senior’s doorstep, free of charge. However, during the holiday season, we go even further to make sure that our seniors stay fed and get to participate in the festivities. Our Seniors’ Net program works to gather supplies and create holiday baskets, which include holiday food, special items like blankets, and other holiday treats that they deliver to the seniors in November and December. This is a great way to make sure that the seniors in our community are taken care of, and it lets them know that we’re thinking about them during this special season.

Companion Calls

For many seniors, it can be difficult to get out of the home. Whether it be due to transportation issues, illness, or other causes, many seniors are not able to socialize to the extent that they used to. This can leave seniors feeling isolated, unappreciated, and disconnected from their community. Network’s Seniors’ Net program helps lessen this issue by making regular calls to our seniors to check in and let them know that we are thinking about them. Even a short call can make a senior feel more connected, and this can help prevent other mental health issues. This is a very simple and effective way to make a senior feel appreciated, and anyone can do it. If you know a senior who may be feeling lonely, please don’t hesitate to give them a call or even drop in for a chat. It could make a huge difference in their life.

Seniors’ Day

Making connections and building friendships can be difficult for seniors who may not have the same social opportunities that they had in the past. For this reason, Network’s Seniors’ Net program hosts a weekly Seniors’ Day, where seniors can come to socialize, meet new people, participate in fun games and exercise, and more! This is a great way to get seniors out of their home, and we provide a free lunch and entertainment to make it an event. This month, to celebrate the holidays, Seniors’ Net hosted a Seniors’ Holiday program, with festive tap dancers and a special visit from the North Pole. We’re so happy to be able to provide this space for seniors to socialize, and we can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with them!

Here at Network, we value the seniors in our community, and want to make sure that they are taken care of and appreciated. If you want to get involved, consider volunteering for one of our Seniors’ Days as a host or a meal provider, or volunteering as a home delivery driver. If you’re interested, please contact Volunteer Manager Caroline Wold at cwold@thenetwork.org, or contact the Seniors’ Net Coordinator Jane Kovacs at jkovacs@thenetwork.org. Remember, you don’t have to partner with Network to help seniors. If you know a senior who may be lonely during the holidays, please reach out and see if there’s anything you can do to help. Even a conversation can brighten their day. Thank you for supporting Network and have a happy holiday!

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