CARE was pleased to distribute Christmas care packages, for the first time this year, to seniors who have been cooped-up since the pandemic started in March. Back in April, the CARE staff began with a vision of how wonderful it would be if we could provide a little bit of cheer for our clients at the end of this year of food insecurities, isolation, and loneliness. Board and staff began working with many organizations and local businesses to obtain donations of food and supplies. The response to our requests were abundant, so we were able to put together 100 colorful, insulated bags, filled to the brim with a variety of personal care items, activity booklets, treats, and food items.
Donors included CARE, Dr. Steven O’Brien DDS, the Sertoma Club of St. Cloud, Good Earth Food Coop, Cutting Edge Salon, Molacek Family Eyecare, Foley Family Dental, Coborn’s of Foley, Pacha Soap Company, and Thrivent Financial. Tri-CAP provided packages of fresh meat, through COVID grant funding, that included fresh chicken thighs and wings, steaks, and pork chops. CARE would like to thank all of our partners for their participation in this special project!
The response from recipients were expressions of surprise and thankfulness. They were amazed and overwhelmed with the quality and the amount of items they were given. Many of the compliments for staff and volunteers were “You are all angels”, “All this for me?”, “You guys take care of us so well”, “Oh, my gosh, we will eat well tonight”.
Volunteers included Tom Kaproth, Ruth Tidd, Doug and Amy Scott, Jerry Jacquemart, Arnie Even-son, and CARE staff. Volunteers wore holiday antler ears and were overcome with joy for an opportunity to let seniors know they are not alone this holiday season, and wished them a very Merry and Safe Christmas!
