As Food Challenges hit the Lebanon community Senior population, distribution of Senior Food Boxes has become a challenge as many Seniors do not have transportation to get the needed food or are hesitant during current health conditions. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and the Lebanon Corps of the Salvation Army has forged an agreement with DoorDash to insure that no senior goes hungry. The DoorDash Delivery system goes into effect January 2022.
According to Lebanon Corps Lt Ivonne Rodriguez, the supplemental food program, available free to lower income seniors, was a challenge each month to find drivers to help get the needed boxes to Senior shut-ins. While many seniors have received a letter in the mail telling them to come to the Corp headquarters to pick up their box, home delivery is now available.
“We want to take hunger off the table for our seniors,” she said. “The agreement with DoorDash will help increase access as well as ease the search for volunteers to drive to deliver to our shut-ins. I am blessed that my family, especially my son, would step forward to deliver Food Box when needed.”
The Lebanon Corps of the Salvation Army is one of the Central PA Food Banks largest delivery hubs. Each month the Lieutenants and Yolanda Santos, our Social Service Coordinator, would order food, then with needed volunteers, receive delivery, then deliver to those unable to come to the Corps Headquarters.
“Our Seniors shouldn’t be worrying about their next meal,” added Lt Marlon Rodriguez. “They’ve supported their families and our community for a lifetime, and we want to support them now.”
The Lebanon Corps will continue to receive the food the second Thursday of each month from the Central PA Food Bank. Once the boxes are prepared, DoorDash will deliver boxes to the Seniors on the Tuesday after the 2nd Thursday and the 3rd Thursday of every month.
“Seniors with the last name A-L will have their box delivered by DoorDash on the Tuesday after the 2nd Thursday of each month. In January that is Tuesday, January 18,” said Lt Ivonne Rodriguez. “Seniors with the last name M-Z will have their box delivered by DoorDash on the 3rd Thursday of each month, in January, Thursday, January 20. DoorDash will arrive between 10:00-12:00 on those two days”.
In addition to the Senior Box Program held year-round, the Lebanon Corps also holds Second Harvest which provides food to families in need twice a month, September through May. For more information on these programs or to donate, visit the website at www.salvationarmylebanon.org or call (717) 273-2655.
Author: Amaury Abreu
