Family Services of Greater Vancouver has been inundated with requests to help seniors at Christmas – and is searching for seniors in need.
The local non-profit oversees the Caring Neighbours at Christmas program, which matches sponsors with local families and seniors in need. Family Services is looking for low-income, single seniors (and couples) who may be interested in being sponsored this Christmas.
“We have dozens of people who have registered to sponsor a senior,” said community education and development services manager Pat Steiner in an email to the Record. “It’s challenging to connect to seniors, and we are turning to the community to help us connect with seniors who may not know about our program.”
To make it as easy as possible for seniors to register, a neighbour or friend can liaise with Family Services regarding forms needed to be filled out as part of the application process.
The Caring Neighbours at Christmas program is open to seniors aged 55 and up who live in New Westminster, have a phone number where they can be reached and aren’t registered with any other Christmas program this year. To apply, they must fill out an application, list some of the things they want or need and allow their gift ideas and contact information to be given to the sponsors.
Through the Caring Neighbours at Christmas adopt-a-family or adopt-a-senior program, sponsors buy gifts, groceries or gift cards, wrap the presents and personally deliver the items to the family’s home by Dec. 18. It’s recommended that donors plan to spend $100 to $120 for each person in the family, with about half going to gifts and half going to food.
More information about the Caring Neighbours at Christmas program is available at www.fsgv.ca. To support a family or senior this Christmas, contact Family Services at 604-525-9144 (extension 3659) or [email protected].
