Old Colony Elder Services Nutrition Program
“ensures that nutritious meals are provided to low-income, frail elders and individuals with disabilities”
Lorraine commented, “The meals are delicious. I’m very thankful for them.”
In today’s world, we do not like to think about the fact that maybe a neighbor, friend, parent or grandparent has faced the threat of hunger by going without a meal. Yet, it happens every day. Thanks to the donors and volunteers who continue to help Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES) Nutrition Program, we are making a difference in the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities who are served by this program.
OCES’ Nutrition Program helps seniors to eat more healthy meals and allows them to remain active in their homes and communities. For some, this may be the only nutritious meal they eat in a day or the only time they come into contact with another person. Each of our clients has a story about why home-delivered meals, known as Meals on Wheels (MOW), are important. Read some of their stories.
English as a Second Language Initiative
Thank you to Mutual Bank for their generous donation to support OCES’ English as a Second Language (ESL) initiative. The ESL initiative at an OCES Supportive Housing program in Brockton is available for residents who don’t speak English and are therefore unable to communicate with neighbors or ask for assistance from the housing staff. Typically, an ESL session costs $188 per person; low-income residents simply cannot afford this essential service. In collaboration with Catholic Charities, which is providing the ESL instructor, and with funding from Mutual Bank, OCES is pleased to offer this important initiative at no cost to the residents.
Raffle Tickets Support the Emergency Fund
OCES is selling raffle tickets to raise money for our Emergency Fund. Each ticket is a chance to win a daily money prize during the month of February 2013.
OCES’ Emergency Fund helps meet the needs of at-risk, low-income elders and individuals with disabilities who are in crisis or emergency circumstances that threaten their health and/or living situation. Last year, elders and individuals with disabilities turned to OCES to help pay for such things as home heating fuel, food, utilities, and life sustaining medications. Requests for assistance multiply every year.
“This has been a great help to me and my husband. We are in our 70’s and we both have heart problems. We had no oil and no heat; thanks to you we are warm.”
“Thank you for having this kind of service when I was in great need of it. Please continue to help people in need.”
You can help us make a difference for someone in need! Please call OCES’ Development Department at 508-584-1561 to purchase your $5 raffle tickets.
Volunteers Are Needed!
Can you spare an hour or two a month?
Money Management Program (MMP) volunteers help seniors manage their household finances by working with them to balance their checkbooks, develop budgets and pay bills. The MMP volunteer makes home visits at least once a month to help keep track of a senior’s income and expenses. MMP volunteers receive training and on-going support from OCES.
The Meals On Wheels (MOW) program serves seniors and individuals with disabilities. MOW volunteers deliver nutritious meals to seniors who are homebound and unable to manage their grocery shopping or attend a congregate meal site.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Brenda at (508) 584-1561 ext. 252.