InterServ celebrates goal of adopting seniors for the holidays

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- More than 40 senior citizens will receive a helping hand this holiday season thanks to local residents and the city's longest-standing social service organization.

InterServ Community Programs had 41 seniors referred to the program and all of them have been adopted by someone in the community prior to Thanksgiving.

While nearly all the seniors are adopted on a yearly basis, Resource Development Director Rachel Kretzer explained that this year it happened a "little quicker" than normal.

"All 41 of our seniors have been adopted since early last week and have been assigned an angel. That makes us really excited," Kretzer said. "Our senior referrals came from the Meals on Wheels, in-home caregiver services, congregate meal services, and our senior counseling. The angels have been matched with their wish list and have started shopping. We hope to deliver all of those gifts before Christmas."

Anyone interested in sponsoring a senior meal can make a donation of $7.50 to Interserv's Meals on Wheels and meal services programs.

"All of our programs are geared towards helping seniors," Kretzer said. "Any contribution you make not only helps now it also helps in the future,"

More information can be found by contacting Kretzer at 816-238-4511 or by emailing her at rkretzer@interservstjoe.org