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BlueCross BlueShield employees support Senior Resources during month-long campaign

News

March 19, 2018

Throughout the month of February, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina employees supported Senior Resources through volunteer work, donations and fundraisers totaling $10,834. That is the equivalent of nearly 1,500 hot meals provided by Meals on Wheels.

On February 14, 2018, BCBS employees took over all the packing and delivering of meals at the largest of our three Meals on Wheels sites. They delivered 250 hot meals — along with a Valentine’s Day treat — to homebound seniors throughout Richland County.

Employees on the BCBS campuses also donated to a pantry and pet food drive to support our Senior Care Pantry and Pet Pals program. Altogether, they collected 13 wardrobe boxes full of supplies. They also supported Senior Resources through their weekly Denim Day fundraiser. Employees can pay $5 each Friday to wear jeans to work. Each month, the funds raised support a different local non-profit.

Finally, BCBS sponsored a team at the March for Meals 5K on March 10, 2018. This annual fundraiser seeks to raise funds for Meals on Wheels and other agency programs, and to raise awareness of the issue of senior hunger in our community.

According to the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH), South Carolina ranks fourth-worst in the nation for food instability among senior citizens. Nearly 20 percent of South Carolina’s senior citizens are threatened with hunger, according to a 2017 report from NFESH.

“The support from community partners like BlueCross BlueShield is so critical as we work to reduce our waiting list and meet the basic needs of all our elderly neighbors,” said Senior Resources Executive Director Pam Dukes. “In addition to the financial support, we love to see employees engaged in the work we do so they can get a first-hand view of how much their support means to our clients.”

About Senior Resources, Inc.

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.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Director of Development Bridget Winston at bwinston@seniorresourcesinc.org or 803-252-7734 x256.