Etobicoke,Ont. This past year has been devastating, especially for aging adults. Many have endured extreme isolation, losing loved ones and worry over their future. As the Director of Community Relations of the local Home Instead, I also witnessed how connection, kindness and compassion made a huge difference for our clients.
While we know we can’t serve every older adult in our community, we want to help as many as we can. That’s why we’re partnering with Etobicoke Support for Seniors for Home Instead Charites’ Give65 Event – a 65-hour online giving event exclusively for charitable organizations serving aging adults. This year’s event is July 13 – 16 at Give65.ca.
We’ve experienced the impact this organization has on the aging population and the value they bring to our community. During this year’s Give65 Event, Etobicoke Support for Seniors is raising funds to address food security needs of older adults living in our Etobicoke communities.
"The ESS food delivery program has been a lifeline for me." - ESS client
The onset of the pandemic presented tangible obstacles for older individuals, who are at greater risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, to safely and reliably access affordable, reliable and healthy food. In recognition of this, ESS quickly adapted their transportation service to address this growing concern and to provide older community members with the pressing support they needed.
This included the development of their own contactless weekly grocery program with a local grocer to order and deliver groceries to their clients, and working with over 8 community partners such as local community health centers and community housing, to transport fresh meals and food hampers door-to-door at no cost. They are currently delivering up to 200 food hampers, 120 hot meals and 30 grocery orders per week to isolated older adults and seniors unable to shop or cook on their own due to the risk of COVID-19, financial barriers, no means to transportation and/or mobility issues.
In 2021, they became an official member of the Daily Bread Food Bank and launched their own mobile food bank program to order, prepare and deliver food hampers to seniors experiencing barriers in accessing other food banks. Instead of waiting in long lines, in poor weather, and then carrying food hampers and bags home, they are able to deliver weekly hampers to their door.
Funds raised through GIVE65 will support the operations of their new mobile food bank, along with the enduring demand for the delivery of weekly meals and groceries. With your help, together we can work towards building a secure and responsive program that continues to address food insecurity needs post COVID-19, and provides affordable, reliable and healthy food to their older community members as they stay safely supported at home.
Especially during this past year, the Alzheimer Society of Peel adapted so they could continue to serve their vulnerable clients in a meaningful and safe way. These changes were critical, but they also created unexpected expenses that impacted their budget.
As part of the Give65 Event, Home Instead Charities is providing up to $55,000 in matching grants and $20,000 in bonus grants to inspire giving on a greater level. The need to support this organization is greater than ever and now donations have the chance to be doubled.
Home Instead of Etobicoke and Etobicoke Support for Seniors would love the opportunity to spotlight the fourth-annual Give65 Event and highlight the programs and services making a difference in the lives of aging adults in Etobicoke / North York.
To learn more about the Give65 program, please visit Give65.ca. For more information about , Etobicoke Support for Seniors, please visit GIVE65 or https://www.esssupportservices.ca . To hear more about Home Instead and what services they provide, please reach out to dgallagher@homeinstead.com .
Dan Gallagher
Director of Community Relations.
Home Instead Etobicoke Office.