In operation since 2011, Mending the Gap, in Lawrenceville, works to keep Gwinnett County’s low-income senior citizens healthy and independent. One way it does that is by delivering groceries and personal care items through its Save Our Seniors (SOS) program.

“We receive daily requests from seniors seeking assistance,” said Mending the Gap’s Executive Director Fay Josephs, noting that since April 2020, the number served by the organization increased by 30% due to the pandemic. The nonprofit now serves about 400 seniors by delivering bags filled with canned goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, personal care items and cleaning supplies.

In 2020, Mending the Gap delivered 7,800 bags with more than 61,000 pounds of fresh produce. With the increase in demand, it was delivering SOS bags every other week, along with freshly-prepared meals to assist seniors as they sheltered in place, according to Josephs.

A recent $15,000 grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation will allow Mending the Gap to purchase items for more bags, plus an additional freezer, refrigerator and shelving for food storage to accommodate the increase in distribution.

Mending the Gap recently moved to 585 Old Norcross Road, Suite A, in Lawrenceville, and started offering “pickup days” for seniors to get items as needed between deliveries.

With “no contact” deliveries put in place during the pandemic, Mending the Gap works to stay connected with seniors through a pen-pal program and weekly phone calls. “We’re committed to do all we can to help keep our seniors healthy and connected,” Josephs said.

“The Jackson EMC Foundation grant will help us continue to present aging to our community as a thing of pride, not a time of despair and neglect.” — Fay Josephs, Executive Director of Mending the Gap

 For more information visit mending-the-gap.org.