LAKEPORT— Covid19 is threatening Lake County, and its seniors are strongly encouraged to stay home for the duration by Gov. Gavin Newsom and local health officials. Many of these seniors attended local senior center lunch programs provided by the Lakeport Senior Activity Center to Lakeport, Kelseyville and Lucerne. With the order to stay home, any senior over 60 may request meals for pickup or delivery and any other needs they have by contacting the center at 263-4218. Lakeport has a team of volunteers ready to bring lunches and anything else the homebound seniors may need. Coordinating with local businesses, agencies, and community volunteers, Lakeport will be a hub for these seniors for any resources needed to stay safe at home and out of harm’s way.
Providing seniors everything they need to stay home and our current biggest need is water, but that list will grow as seniors communicate their needs. To find out what the current needs or ways to be a part of Lakeports efforts call 263-4218 or joining the Facebook group “Covid19 Homebound Senior Support Network- Lakeport Senior Center Hub” www.facebook.com/lakeportseniors.
Seniors do not need to have a prior relationship with the senior center to get the services they are providing. Anyone over age 60 automatically qualifies to receive the meals. Lakeport must serve those over 60 first, but welcome the needs of younger seniors and the disabled or isolated. The center will do everything they can for the most vulnerable in our community during this crisis.
Funding for the Lakeport Senior Center has two main sources; the grants administered by PSA26 Area Agency on Aging and the Meals on Wheels Thrift Store. The Covid19 scare has greatly hindered sales at the thrift store. If this continues for 8 weeks the losses will be over 40,000 dollars. Cash donations are greatly appreciated to make up for this monumental loss and can be made online at www.facebook.com/lakeportseniors or mail a check to 527 Konocti Ave, Lakeport, CA 95453. Donations will go against the loss in sales and aid in meeting the needs of seniors as they are homebound through this crisis.
Emergency funding for senior nutrition programs is coming before the Senate. Please email our Senator Mike McGuire in support of “H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act” that will help fund local senior center’s extra efforts during this crisis. His contact information can be found here: sd02.senate.ca.gov/contact or by calling 916-651-4002.
