Information picture by Darby Hinkley Farm Bureau Insurance coverage Brokers Robert Barrigar, left, and Jason Barbeau, proper, current a $1,500 test to Alpena Senior Heart Director Annie Hepburn, heart, from the Alpena Charitable Fund. Farm Bureau insurance coverage brokers to be used in meals packages on the senior heart.
ALPENA – On Friday, Robert Barrigar and Jason Barbeau of Farm Bureau Insurance coverage introduced a $1,500 test from the Farm Bureau Insurance coverage Agent Charitable Fund to Alpena Senior Heart Director Annie Hepburn to make use of towards meals packages.
With the growing prices of meals and transportation, Hepburn is grateful for the donation and mentioned it can go a protracted option to profit seniors in Alpena County.
“The cash goes immediately towards our meals prices,” Hepburn mentioned. “We’ve got seen an enormous improve in our meals prices. Again then, it was perhaps $10,000 a month, whereas now it's nearer to $18,000 to $20,000. “So, we’ve had an enormous improve in meals prices.”
Barrigar defined the position of the Agent Charitable Fund.
“The Agent Charitable Fund is a fund of cash that each one brokers contribute to,” mentioned Barrigar, who owns the Robert Barrigar Company in Alpena and in addition serves as president of the statewide Agent Charitable Fund. “The Agent Charitable Fund's mission is to finish starvation in Michigan.”
Hepburn mentioned seniors in Alpena County depend on the meals companies the senior heart presents, together with congregate lunchtime meals 5 days every week on the heart. Others depend on Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to their door for many who can't get to the middle.
“We’ve got additionally seen a rise in our Meals on Wheels clients,” Hepburn mentioned. “Proper now, now we have the most important variety of Meals on Wheels clients. I've been right here seven years. We've by no means had greater than 200 and now we're at 222. Final month, we added 26 new Meals on Wheels clients. What I'm saying is that it's associated to the price of meals and the price of gasoline.”
With the price of meals having almost doubled, Hepburn mentioned any assist from the group to defray these prices can be welcome.
“We’re on the lookout for different companies and organizations to assist assist us so we will proceed to feed seniors in Alpena County,” Hepburn mentioned.
Gloria Beth, 81, was having fun with a hearty lunch Friday on the senior heart.
“I prefer it right here,” he mentioned. “I'm listening to an increasing number of from folks and so they're saying that is what they're wanting ahead to all week: getting collectively.”
He mentioned the social side of the meals and packages on the heart is crucial to the well-being of many seniors.
“Consuming is essential, as a result of the room is virtually full proper now,” Beth mentioned. “It's as a result of they will actually be collectively. It's not even at all times concerning the meals. It's about socializing and getting out of the home so that you're not so depressed. I hear lots of people say that they’re depressed and that in the event that they didn't have this, they might be alone at dwelling, in a really dangerous situation.”
She added that the individuals who work on the senior heart are at all times form and pleasant, “and the meals is great.”
The lunch has a prompt donation of $four.50 for these over 60 and a price of $eight for these beneath 60.
“We like to present a bit extra,” Beth added. “However it’s not vital. You don't want to organize it or clear it afterward. I imply, actually, it's a great enterprise.”
The Alpena Senior Heart is positioned at 501 River St., Alpena. When you have questions, go to alpenaseniors.com or name 989-356-3585.