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Donations needed for senior meals program
By Thelma Grimes/Wick Communications
It's that time of year again where Catholic Community Services (CCS) looks to the community to support the senior meals program that assists in feeding nearly 60,000 homebound citizens every year.
Leisa Cotten, director of the CCS senior nutrition program, said usually they host a golf tournament in Benson to raise the funding needed to feed senior citizens in Northern Cochise County.
However, with the Turquoise Hills Family Golf Center for sale and the increased cost of fuel, fundraising efforts have changed.
This year, CCS is hosting the first sponsor-a-senior program. They are asking residents to sponsor a senior citizen for an annual fee of $25.
"Over the past six years, the senior meals program has gone through many adjustments," Cotten said, "including having to close several senior center meal sites, laying off staff and adjusting meal deliveries from hot meals to frozen meals delivered once a week.
"Even with all this restructuring, the meals program could not have survived had it not been for the support we've received from the community. This support from private individuals, civic clubs, churches, businesses and local governments has always been critical."
With service areas including Willcox, Bowie, San Simon, Sunsites, Sunizona, Pearce, Benson, Pomerene, St. David, Mescal, J-Six, Whetstone, Huachuca City, Tombstone, Sierra Vista, Hereford and Palominas, Cotten said the goal is to get 1,000 people to participate in the Sponsor-a-Senior program.
"With this new sponsor-a-senior program, we hope to reach an even broader group of contributors," Cotten said. "Won't all of you who have helped in the past, to keep this vital program alive, continue to do so, and, additionally, help us by getting the word out to others?"
Cotten and program staff members and volunteers work each year to get the required funding, noting that those receiving meals have no one else to rely on.
While the program does receive some federal funding, it is up to CCS to raise the rest.
To participate in the program, send a check or cash to Northern Cochise County Senior Meals Fundraising Programs at P.O. Box 1027, Benson, AZ 85602.
Donations will be taken through June 30. For more information, contact Cotten at (520) 255-0693.
Leisa Cotten, director of the CCS senior nutrition program, said usually they host a golf tournament in Benson to raise the funding needed to feed senior citizens in Northern Cochise County.
However, with the Turquoise Hills Family Golf Center for sale and the increased cost of fuel, fundraising efforts have changed.
This year, CCS is hosting the first sponsor-a-senior program. They are asking residents to sponsor a senior citizen for an annual fee of $25.
"Over the past six years, the senior meals program has gone through many adjustments," Cotten said, "including having to close several senior center meal sites, laying off staff and adjusting meal deliveries from hot meals to frozen meals delivered once a week.
"Even with all this restructuring, the meals program could not have survived had it not been for the support we've received from the community. This support from private individuals, civic clubs, churches, businesses and local governments has always been critical."
With service areas including Willcox, Bowie, San Simon, Sunsites, Sunizona, Pearce, Benson, Pomerene, St. David, Mescal, J-Six, Whetstone, Huachuca City, Tombstone, Sierra Vista, Hereford and Palominas, Cotten said the goal is to get 1,000 people to participate in the Sponsor-a-Senior program.
"With this new sponsor-a-senior program, we hope to reach an even broader group of contributors," Cotten said. "Won't all of you who have helped in the past, to keep this vital program alive, continue to do so, and, additionally, help us by getting the word out to others?"
Cotten and program staff members and volunteers work each year to get the required funding, noting that those receiving meals have no one else to rely on.
While the program does receive some federal funding, it is up to CCS to raise the rest.
To participate in the program, send a check or cash to Northern Cochise County Senior Meals Fundraising Programs at P.O. Box 1027, Benson, AZ 85602.
Donations will be taken through June 30. For more information, contact Cotten at (520) 255-0693.
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