Adopt-A-Senior feeding homebound elderly

Corning Mayor Gary Strack has donated a sizable chunk of change into the Tehama Adopt-A-Senior program and is challenging his fellow City Council members in Corning, as well as Red Bluff, to do the same.

"Our seniors need us," Strack said. "You never know when you might be in the same boat."

Gaylen Norman, Senior Nutrition coordinator, said Adopt-A-Senior is an effort to help financially support the county's senior nutrition program that is suffering from state and federal budget cuts.

"The nutrition program has been successful for 12 years serving Tehama County seniors," Norman said. "But due to budget cuts, additional raw food costs and gas prices at an all time high, the program has an estimated $15,000 budget deficit this fiscal year."

The senior nutrition program delivers hot, nutritious meals daily, Monday through Friday, to homebound seniors, and provides the meals delivered to the Corning and Red Bluff senior centers.

"Delivering daily allows the nutrition program drivers to do a wellness check on the seniors in their homes, some of which would otherwise not have anyone to check up on them," Norman explained.

She described one incident when a frail elderly woman fell in her bathroom, hit her head and was bleeding.

"It was the senior nutrition program driver who found her and was able to get help," Norman said. "That is just one little story of something that happens on a common basis."

When possible, the seniors are asked to donate $2.75 per meal. Norman said the actual cost per meal is $7.25.

"But many of our seniors just aren't able to make any donation, but we still supply them with a meal," she stated.

Linda Lima, director of the Corning Senior Center said the average age of the seniors in Corning is 88-years-old.

"Many have lost their friends and family. The senior center serves as a social center for them to stave off the problems of depression that plagues them due to loss of friends and independence," she stated.

If the federal government makes the threatened 8 percent cut in funding to the nutrition program this year that would amount to 3,000 meals not delivered, Lima said.

"Senior are one of the county's greatest assets. We need to take care of them," she said.

Individuals, clubs, organizations, church groups, businesses and other can adopt a senior on a yearly, monthly or weekly basis.

"Any donation could help make a difference," Norman said.

Cost is: Year/248 days —$682; Month/21 days — $58; Week/5 days - $14.

To make a contribution call Norman at 527-2414 or send the donation to Senior Nutrition Program/Adopt A Senior, 1500 S. Jackson St., Red Bluff, CA 96080.