HESSCO Elder Services is thrilled to announce that it received a $10,000 financial reward for its outstanding participation during the third-annual GIVE65 Event, a program of Home Instead Senior Care Foundation. The GIVE65 Event, which took place July 10 – July 12, is a one-of-a-kind, 65-hour, crowd-fundraising platform exclusively devoted to helping nonprofits raise money online for programs and services that create hope for seniors. Home Instead Senior Care Foundation provided $125,000 in matching grants, and all approved, participating organizations were eligible for one of two $10,000 financial rewards recognizing outstanding small-, medium- and large-sized participating nonprofits based on operating budget.

In addition to the $10,000 reward, HESSCO donors gave over $5,100 which earned the agency $2,500 in matching dollars. HESSCO’s campaign raised funds to help pay for Emergency and Holiday meals for the seniors it serves in South Norfolk County.

HESSCO has approximately 500 seniors over age 60 who receive Meals on Wheels through its nutrition program. For many of these seniors, HESSCO is the primary source of their nutrition on each day they receive the meal. When there is a weather emergency, the program sometimes cannot deliver meals. To prepare for these weather events, HESSCO purchases shelf-stable emergency meals which are distributed to each senior who receives Meals on Wheels. HESSCO also provides local police and fire departments with a supply of emergency meals. The expense of the emergency meals is not funded through any federal or state program and thus, HESSCO incurs the full cost because of our commitment to serve the nutrition needs of seniors.

On Thanksgiving and Christmas, HESSCO staff, Town of Walpole School Department staff, and congregants from Temple Sinai Sharon volunteer their time to deliver a free, hot meal to any senior in our community who is alone for the holiday. In 2017, HESSCO delivered over 150 meals on Thanksgiving and another 150 on Christmas. The seniors who receive these meals express their gratitude through tears, hugs, smiles and holiday well-wishes. HESSCO never has difficulty finding staff and other groups to donate their time because all involved know they have made a senior a little less lonely; however, donations are relied upon to cover the cost of the meals.

Thanks to its success during the GIVE65 Event, HESSCO will have ample “back up,” shelf stable meals available to consumers in the event of an emergency, and our neediest consumers will receive a visit and a nicely prepared meal on Thanksgiving and Christmas.