(Lawrenceville, Ga., Jan. 8, 2016) – Gwinnett’s home-delivered meals program received a big boost Tuesday when commissioners accepted a donation of $70,000 raised by a non-profit support group founded by state Sen. Renee Unterman in 1999.
The volunteer-led organization, known as Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services, holds charity events and pursues grants to help meet the needs of Gwinnett’s age 60-plus senior population, which is now the second largest in Georgia. The group’s key priorities are food insecurity and access to transportation.
In 2016, Friends committed to provide up to $60,000 for the senior meals program to help reduce its wait list, up to $4,500 to cover the distribution cost of emergency meals to displaced or distressed seniors, and up to $5,500 to buy shelf-stable meals for use when weather disrupts normal home-delivered meal services.
Chairman Charlotte Nash noted, “Over the past five years, Friends has paid Gwinnett County nearly $500,000 to directly address senior needs. We are very grateful for their support.”
The group has also raised money for medical transportation, home repairs, emergency assistance, in-home foot care and holiday gift bags.
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