Salvation Army and Friends Make Seniors’ Day in Elgin
Rick Reigner, Resource Development Director at The Salvation Army in Elgin, provided this update from their recent event.
During this COVID-19 pandemic, making a trip to the grocery store or to the local food pantry has become more worrisome for seniors. On April 3, the Elgin Salvation Army eased that worry by partnering with Senior Services, Kiwanis, and Rotary to deliver food and home goods to 70 seniors.
Captain Heather Montenegro coordinated logistics for the event, ensuring that the dozens of volunteers involved worked in harmony to pack boxes, load cars, and deliver the goods to seniors. “It was wonderful to see everyone so upbeat and working together to support our seniors during these difficult times,” said Captain Montenegro.
Food boxes provided by The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services and bags of home goods made possible by a $500 grant from the Elgin Noon Rotary Club were delivered to doorsteps, porches, and garages of area seniors. After drivers dropped off the food and home goods, they called seniors to let them know the items had arrived.
The food boxes contained items such as gluten-free pasta, rice and beans, chocolate chip cookies, canned tuna, peanut butter, canned green beans, plus a mix of fresh produce and refrigerated items. Home goods bags included toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, anti-bacterial hand soap, laundry detergent, and a bottle of bleach. In addition, each bag included instructions of how to clean the products they received.
Verna, one of the seniors who received a delivery, emailed the Elgin Salvation Army to express her thanks. “Tears still running down my face to think of how God has blessed me today. First time anything so wonderful like this has happened to me,” she wrote. “Wish I had the addresses of all these wonderful folks to thank them personally and give them each a big hug and kiss. All of this means so very much to an elderly person.”
The event was so well received that a follow-up event is already planned for April 24, when the same organizations will deliver food to 100 seniors. For more information, contact Rick Reigner at Richard.Reigner@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Learn about all the ways The Salvation Army is responding to the coronavirus – as well as how you can help – at salarmychicago.org/coronavirus.
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For tax purposes: The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division EIN is 36-2167910.