This year Sylvan Old Auburn Road (SOAR) Neighborhood Association will team up with the Citrus Heights Lions Club to make Christmas a little merrier for some seniors in Citrus Heights.

The two groups will assemble bags filled with shelf-stable food and stockings with “sundries” and deliver them to seniors who participate in the Meals on Wheels program in zip code 95610. Meals on Wheels in Sacramento County is administered by the Asian Community Center. Recipients get only 5 meals a week either as a daily delivered hot meal or weekly delivered frozen entrees. Recipients have limited ability to shop for groceries or prepare their meals.

Food and sundries donated by the community, SOAR and the Lions Club will supplement these donations with several hundred dollars of purchased items. “When we work together, each small step really makes a deep impact. By providing warm socks, food and other necessities, we can make a difference”, said Natalee Price, president of the Citrus Heights Lions Club. Representatives of each club will accompany a Meals on Wheels staff person and deliver the goodies during the week of December 12.

This is the fourth year SOAR has chosen this project for its Christmas giving. According to Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa, president of SOAR, “Seniors are overlooked at Christmas. And the need is so great. Last year, there were over 75 people on the Meals on Wheels list in zip code 95610 but we only collected and bought enough supplies for 24 seniors, 5 dogs and 7 cats. This year, by teaming up with the Lions Club we can do more. And if more people donate, we can deliver more.”

Tax-deductible donations of shelf-stable food, sundries or cash are welcome. Or if you would like to refer a senior for the program or want more information, contact Dr. Jayna (916)599-3647 ([email protected]) or Natalee (916)741-2452 ([email protected]).