This is a financially and emotionally difficult time a year. It is Sieda’s hope to ease that burden and brighten the senior households in our community. Nearly 9% of the 60 years and older population in Appanoose County are living below the 100% poverty line in 2017. Even more below the 125% poverty line. That is well over 300 seniors.

Hence, Sieda’s Appanoose County Silver and Gold Christmas Program gave out senior food bag gifts on December 14^th. Kay at the Appanoose Resource Center purchased food and spent several hours packing food gift bags. There were food bags for a total of 125 senior homes with 144 individuals. Each year this program has grown, last year it was 72 senior homes with 79 individuals, nearly doubling.

The bags were for Appanoose county senior residents that wished to participate and were automatic low-income senior households. Meaning they are households with only 60-year-olds and up with a fixed income from year to year.

With this program growing any help we get is a blessing. Thank you to Faith United Methodist Church for their donation, and the help of Aldi and Hy-Vee for handling our large food orders. With donor contributions added to Sieda funds, we were able to purchase and bag a variety of food items. Items in the bags included ham, canned vegetables and fruit, broth, gravy, noodles, Jell-O, potatoes, and stuffing.

We hope this program continues to help the Appanoose County community. Thanks again Faith United Methodist Church. With growing support from the community, we hope to make an even bigger difference next year. For other Sieda Christmas Programs click here. May your days be merry and bright!