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Bank of America Names Senior Resources as a Neighborhood Champion and Awards $50,000 in Grant Support

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November 25, 2020

Bank of America has named Senior Resources a Neighborhood Champion, in recognition of our work to advance economic mobility in Columbia.  This recognition includes $50,000 in grant funding and virtual leadership training from experts in the nonprofit sector.  The Neighborhood Champions program is invitation-only for nonprofits who have demonstrated strong nonprofit leadership in their community and are poised to take their work to the next level.

“Senior Resources is proud to celebrate our award as the 2020 Bank of America Neighborhood Champion. Keeping seniors healthy and independent is an important task in any year, but especially in this year of unprecedented challenges and dangers to older adults,” said Andrew Boozer, Executive Director for Senior Resources. “We are delivering healthy nutritious meals to seniors’ doorsteps, but just as importantly, we are creating a safe social connection for the seniors we serve every day as they combat extended isolation. With the support of Bank of America, we will be able to continue to grow this personal connection to ensure our growing aging population has the resources they need to stay vibrant and connected in their golden years.”

The Neighborhood Champions program is an extension of Bank of America’s signature philanthropic initiative, Neighborhood Builders®, the largest corporate philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership in the country. In addition to Columbia, the bank will bring the program to over 40 additional communities across the U.S. this fall as part of its commitment to investing in the long-term health of communities.

“As we consider many of the challenges that our communities are facing – from the current health and humanitarian crisis to the need for progress on economic opportunity – the Neighborhood Champions program is a relevant and timely initiative to support the communities we serve,” said Kim Wilkerson, South Carolina president for Bank of America. “This program enables partners like Senior Resources to plan strategically for growth and long-term sustainability, and this investment will help Senior Resources make even greater strides to address food insecurity for seniors.”

Bank of America has been a long-standing supporter of Senior Resources and senior citizens in our community.  In the spring of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in our community, Bank of America awarded $65,000 to our emergency relief efforts to provide nutritional support to all senior citizens throughout Richland County.  With this latest new funding announcement today, Bank of America has now supported Senior Resources with a total of $115,000 during this critical year, as the pandemic continues to directly affect the community members we serve.  The funding and leadership training Senior Resources will receive from the Neighborhood Champion award, will allow us to continue to improve and save the lives of vulnerable seniors through this pandemic and beyond.

About Senior Resources: Senior Resources is a non-profit organization that coordinates services, provides resources and encourages the personal choices that allow Columbia’s senior citizens to remain independent.  All activities, services and programs of the agency are geared toward promoting independent living, with the goal of helping seniors remain in their homes as long as possible through the support of staff and volunteers, and delaying or preventing institutionalization.

Since 1967, Senior Resources has served Columbia’s frail and elderly residents in three areas:

1) In-home services, including Meals on Wheels, home care, respite care, senior companion services, and case management;

2) Community-based services, including congregate meals, wellness centers, transportation, and physical fitness;

3) Volunteer services, including the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs.

With local, state and federal government funding, as well as contributions from United Way, personal donations and fundraising activities, Senior Resources offers a variety of programs so that our clients can select the assistance they need to maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle. With the support of our staff and volunteers, our services touch the lives of more than 4,000 Midlands residents.