Gaining plenty of donations and gratitude, the Area Agency on Aging continues providing food, water and essential supplies to thousands of older and vulnerable people in Maricopa County.

Operation Hope: Helping Older People Eat, which is the agency’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, has provided 100 gift cards for Duet staff and volunteers to distribute to grandparents raising grandchildren across the Valley, according to a press release on the program, that launched on March 17.

The program is also assisted by Duet Partners in Health & Aging, which promotes health and well-being to homebound adults, family caregivers, faith communities and grandfamilies, the release said.

Operation Hope results through May 26 include:

• Authorizing 1,251 new clients for home-delivered meals;
• Receiving 3,490 donated food items;
• Receiving 6,000 donated sack lunches from CSAA Insurance;
• Distributing 1,812 food boxes and bags;
• Purchasing and distributing 275 cases of water, 1,495 dozen eggs, 1,377 loaves of bread, 5,270 fresh fruits and vegetables, 380 1.5-pound packages of cheese, and 208 one-pound packages of chicken; and
• Purchasing and distributing 10,160 rolls of toilet paper, 300 packages of Depends, 675 one-gallon jugs of bleach and pet food.

“One positive outcome from this terrible pandemic is how quickly, intensely and consistently our staff, volunteers and the community at large came together to ensure that the elderly and vulnerable individuals we serve were provided for,” said Area Agency on Aging President/CEO Mary Lynn Kasunic in a prepared statement.

“It shows, beyond question, that our community shares a very big heart.”

The Agency also received many words of thanks from individuals served by Duet, many of whom used their gift cards for their grandchildren to “have a happy Easter,” the release said.

Since 1974, the Area Agency on Aging has been planning, developing, coordinating and delivering critical programs and services to older adults and their caregivers, adults age 18 and up with physical disabilities and long-term care needs, adults with HIV, residents in long term care facilities, and survivors of late-life domestic violence and elder abuse.

The agency develops programs to fulfill unmet needs for older adults to remain active and age at home in their communities, the release noted. 

Information for the 24-Hour Senior HELP LINE is at 602-264-HELP (4357) or toll free at 888-783-7500. For the hard of hearing and deaf, text 520-775-1899SMS (Short Message Service).

Get more information about the Area Agency on Aging at aaaphx.org.