Senior Center Packages Donations For Those In Need

In keeping with tradition, and to help those in need, the senior center once again delivered gift baskets of toys and food Monday to the county's social services department.

"We do this every year for six families," said Donna Langel, senior services coordinator. "We deliver them to the county, and they deliver them to the families."

Each year, Langel said, the senior center gathers lists filled out by about six different families through the social services department. The lists, she said, contain names of the members of the families and ages, and details gifts and food they would like but are unable to afford themselves.

From there, Langel said, members of the senior center can either donate money for the center to buy gifts, or they can donate new items on their own.

"The senior club always donates $1,000 for gifts," she said.

On Monday, the gifts were packaged and delivered at 12 p.m. to the county to be distributed later.

Langel said she has seen this year an unfortunate change in the families on the lists. Normally, she said, the center will see a single parent with one or two children.

But this year, Langel said, there do not seem to be any single-parent families, but those with a mother, a father and a few children, usually three to four for each basket.

Langel said she sees this as a reflection on the changing economy, and the struggles people are still dealing with as jobs are still being lost.

"The economy is really changing," she said.

But, Langel said, the center is proud to be able to help those in need, with books, toys, food and other items.

"It always depends on how many children," she said. "These are gifts for Christmas."