The second word in LivWell CARES stands for “compassionate advocacy and resources for every senior.” LivWell CARES is a non-profit based in Davenport providing lower-income seniors in the community with free placement services, information and resource referrals.
Over 20 years ago, the original holiday meal program was brought into the region by one of the local agencies on aging. Responsibility for executing it was bounced from one organization to the next in the years to follow, which led to a general neglect regarding it. Before it could fall to obsolescence, LivWell CARES seized the opportunity to conduct the holiday meal program, and its purpose is simple: to provide hot meals during the holiday season to low-income seniors living throughout Scott County.
LivWell CARES has partnered with Home Helpers Home Care to gather volunteers. Most volunteers use their personal vehicles as a means of delivery. Around 300 meals are estimated to be delivered on the day of Thanksgiving—as well as on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. That means approximately 900 meals in total will be distributed.
The coordination is set, too, LivWell CARES having contacted the property managers at various low-income communities nearby housing seniors. Those managers were able to inform the non-profit organizers who exactly will go without any kind of meal on the three upcoming holidays.
Director of LivWell CARES Kris Garrison said things like the holiday meal program are vital to helping lonely seniors feel a sense of familial love during these normally unifying times. She said it’s necessary that the program be preserved, so that all people are looked after.
“This is a program that we don't want to let die. We are fighting to keep this alive, because seniors have come to count on this every holiday season. This is just another way that we are reaching out to low-income seniors in the community, so they don't feel so alone, so that they may see a friendly, cheerful face over the holidays, and they won't go hungry,” Garrison said.
LivWell CARES has collaborated with Sodexo, the food-services supplier at St. Ambrose University, to produce the proper amount of meals needed. On the days of delivery, volunteers will pick up the meals from them. From there they’ll use a list of addresses of senior properties for guidance, calling recipients as they make their way to them.
The non-profit is close to its donation goals for the year, but those still interested in helping out can certainly make them even now. All donations go strictly toward purchasing the food from Sodexo for the program. Any money left over from this year will be used during next year’s program run, when LivWell CARES plans to expand by supplying Rock Island County seniors, as well.
Garrison said the number of low-income seniors living across the country is only bound to grow over time, meaning resources are going to have to become more available with the growth.
“The number of low-income seniors is growing every day. 10,000 people are turning 65 every day in this country. By 2030, there are going to be more people aged 65 and over than there will be 18 and under for the first time in our country’s history. We're only going to see these numbers grow, and we need to grow our resources to meet the need,” Garrison said.
Donations can be made until Friday, November 22nd. Individuals looking to support can make out a check to 2010 E. 38th Street, Suite 101, Davenport, Iowa, 52807, or they can donate via PayPal or credit card on LivWell CARES’ website at www.qclivwellcares.org. The address listed above can always be visited in person. For further info, call 563-334-3700 or email info@qclivwellcares.org.
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