We Are Family mobilizes a committed corps of community volunteers to bring services, advocacy, organizing, and companionship into the homes of 450 isolated, low-income seniors each month.
This project ensures 20 seniors will get a visit this Thanksgiving. The visits not only provide companionship, but also ensure that our seniors do not feel alone or forgotten around the holidays, a time when many may experience a special sense of loneliness.
Equally as important, the Thanksgiving basket deliveries provide an opportunity to check in on
our seniors, provide assistance where possible, and identify broader needs that can be served.
In addition, it is also an opportunity for our seniors to build transformative, on-going relationships with their volunteers.
Thanksgiving baskets include food for a
Thanksgiving meal - one whole uncooked 10-14
lb. turkey, 1 box of stuffing, a combination of 10
canned goods, including items such as canned
sweet potatoes, greens, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, and other vegetables.
Nearly one-tenth of U.S. adults who are 65 and older currently live at or below the federal poverty level.
All of the census tracts that make up our service areas have a poverty rate higher than DC's already high overall average of 18%. The poverty rates in our service areas range from 22% to more than twice that level.
Many of the seniors we serve are living on a monthly income of $800 or less and could not afford a turkey and other food items for a Thanksgiving meal.
More importantly, many of our elders also slip through the cracks of our shredded social safety net. When services exist, those who need them the most often won’t be aware of them. It also can be hard to know how to take advantage of such help. For services to matter, a bridge must exist between the available resources and those persons in need.
We Are Family has a tiny staff (one full-time,
one half-time); as a result, the vast majority of
our work is done by volunteers. Our staff will
coordinate our volunteers to assemble and deliver
the baskets during the Thanksgiving week.
Hyattsville, MD
About Me: I have been a volunteer for “We Are Family” for a short time – almost a year. It has been nothing short of a pleasure. Knowing that we help seniors is very satisfying and fulfilling. An incident comes to mind. A friend and I were delivering groceries to a senior. We knocked and knocked at her door and finally she answered. We informed her that we were with We Are Family and wanted to give her some groceries. She cheerfully opened the door. After a brief chat with her, we found that she had no family in the area and that she had a doctor’s appointment for the upcoming week. We could feel her fear about the outcome of the appointment so we had prayer with her and she appeared relieved. We did not perform a miracle, but we brought a smile and a light to her face. We returned to the car and found that and item had fallen from her bag. Upon returning to her apartment, she answered the door with a smile on her face and jaws bulging. A part of her sadness was that she was hungry. She was thrilled for the company that we briefly shared, but she was truly grateful for the food that we had delivered. I was introduced to We Are Family by my son, Brian, who also volunteers. He was impressed with the seniors and continued to emphasize the greatness of the work of the organization. He relentlessly urged me to volunteer. I was impressed by his commitment and dedication so I gave in and joined. It was an excellent decision. Due to all of our busy schedules, I urge you to join me in a Fundraising effort. From the comfort of your home or office – on your desktop, laptop, IPOD or IPAD, you may assist in this DOORKNOB RALLY. It is an effort to close the door to hunger and loneliness for seniors as you open your heart to seniors in need. Please donate $1.00 for each doorknob in your home. Feeling generous, round it UP to the nearest $10; i.e., 16 doorknobs, round it up to $20. Make your donation by November 3, 2011. This will aid us in meeting our goal of delivering Thanksgiving Baskets to DC seniors. Click on the Orange DONATE button below to make your donation today. Thanks for whatever you can do.
Erlinda C.
Hyattsville,, MD
Anonymous
Carlton B.
Brockton, MA
Anonymous
Kenedi C.
Mont. Village, MD
Erlinda C. donated to DC4DC - We are Family: Senior Support! - 6 months ago visit the project
Carlton B. donated to DC4DC - We are Family: Senior Support! - 6 months ago visit the project
Kenedi C. donated to DC4DC - We are Family: Senior Support! - 6 months ago visit the project
Brian C. donated to DC4DC - We are Family: Senior Support! - 6 months ago visit the project
Estelle B. donated to DC4DC - We are Family: Senior Support! - 6 months ago visit the project
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