The Heart of Seniors Gathering Church is ready to help seniors amid the current outbreak. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Seniors and covid-19

Group ready to bring help to older people’s doors

Apr 14, 2020 | 3:21 PM

A local organization is gearing up to help some of Prince Albert’s more vulnerable seniors.

The Heart of Seniors Gathering Church is going to start handing out healthy food hampers along with personal hygiene products. John Fryters, who is taking the lead in organizing the effort, said they have a number of people who have reached out to them for assistance.

“We already have a list of around 35 people and most of them are shut inns within the downtown core,” he said.

The current situation is more challenging for some older people as it is recommended, they isolate themselves to protect against COVID-19 and according to Fryters some were dealing with social isolation and loneliness before hand.

“It’s a double whammy,” he said.

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Fryters explained the church is able to provide the support after they got the green light from the federal government to redirect some funds they have to provide a different program they can no longer deliver because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The federal government told us we could address some of the problems with the virus and still use that money,” he said.

The supplies will be dropped off by volunteers once a month, Fryters said those making the deliveries will be practicing social distancing to make sure everyone stays safe. He added those putting the hampers together were also wearing gloves and masks. They also made sure to not have too many people around when putting the hampers together.

Fryters said deciding what to put in the hampers they used the Canada food guide and also made sure to put in vegetables and healthier canned items. Fryters said many of the people they are working to help are on fixed incomes, which can make eating healthy a challenge.

“We said what is healthy foods,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn