Soup Donations Can Save Seniors This Winter

Winter is a difficult time for senior home-bound neighbors, some having to choose between heat and food. AARP Virginia and LOA want to help make their lives easier by ensuring their shelves are stocked with soups and other non-perishable food items. All it takes to make a difference is to start a collection then drop off the non-perishable items to a drop off site from February 6-10.

The main drop off site is The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, 4909 North Lake Drive, Roanoke, and will be open for drop offs between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.  Other sites currently include:

• All Freedom First locations
• All Bank of Fincastle locations
• Vistar Eye Centers: 426 West Main Street, Salem

70 Summerfield Court, Roanoke

3320 Franklin Road, Roanoke

• LOA Central Office – 706 Campbell Ave., SW Roanoke

Volunteers play a vital role in this project and it cannot be done without their help.  Volunteers are needed in varying capacities, including:

• People at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul to check dates and sort the soup as well as work in an assembly line format putting the donated soup and crackers into the bags, getting them ready for assembly.
• People to deliver those bags to the Meals on Wheels sites, Diners Club sites, senior independent living centers, etc.  In some cases, we will need volunteers to deliver to the home.
• Volunteers to pick up soup at the drop off locations and bring to our main collection site.
• Volunteers available at the church to assist in unloading the items.

If you are unable to donate food you can make a monetary contribution by sending a check to Soup for Seniors, LOA Area Agency on Aging, PO Box 14205, Roanoke, VA 24038.  Online donations are also accepted at http://www.loaa.org/soup-for-seniors/. Funds collected will be used to meet the goal of serving 3,000 seniors or used to further end senior hunger by providing Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors.