COLUMBIA, S.C. — Midlands non-profit Senior Resources is spreading holiday cheer by filling shoe boxes with gifts for Meals on Wheels clients, and they're hoping you'll help them in the effort.
This is the first year the non-profit is filling shoe boxes for the senior gift giving initiative.
“A lot of our clients spend their holidays alone. They don't see anyone, they don't get presents,” Communications and Community Outreach Coordinator Danielle Floyd said.
The non-profit organization, which allows over 4,000 Midlands area senior citizens to remain independent, is starting the initiative to spread holiday cheer to those in need.
“Our Meals on Wheels clients are usually homebound and don't have a lot of family around," Floyd said. "They face social isolation, so it's super important every day, and especially around the holidays, that they feel supported and loved by their community.”
The goal this year is to fill 777 boxes, just enough for all Meals on Wheels clients to receive a box.
“600 have been picked up. We have 230 that have been brought back, and so we are looking to fill 200 more,” Floyd said. Items for the boxes might include personal hygiene items, wash cloths, candles, stationary, handwritten notes, and such.
Filling the shoe boxes is just one way people can help out the seniors in their community. Other volunteer options are also available at Senior Resources like helping distribute meals to seniors in need.
“And just making their day and making them smile … love having those connections with people and those small interactions because those interactions make impacts for real,” Senior Resources volunteer Araya Martinez said.
Martinez volunteers frequently within the community because it is something her family taught her to do.
“I basically grew up doing community service with my family," Martinez said. "Even growing up through middle school and high school ... when I came to college, I couldn't let that part of myself go.”
So, Martinez looked where she could lend a hand and found Senior Resources' Meals on Wheels.
“It feels good to give back to people I have a heart for, and this is like a really safe and organized way to give back.”
Those who want to volunteer to fill shoe boxes can stop by Senior Resource at 2817 Millwood Avenue to pick up a box or click here for more information.
The boxes must be returned by December 15th in order for clients to receive them prior to Christmas, and they cannot contain perishable food or fragile objects.