Mullins announces launch of ‘Helping the Homebound’ program to assist elderly residents
Rep. Kyle Mullins April 14, 2020 | 5:04 PM
HARRISBURG, April 14 – State Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-Lackawanna, today announced the launch of a new community partnership to help homebound and elderly residents in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While it is now vital that all Pennsylvanians follow Governor Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 Stay at Home Order, it has never been more important for our homebound and elderly neighbors to receive the day-to-day resources they require safely and methodically,” Mullins said. “That’s why today we are taking action. Our Helping the Homebound program will immediately support homebound seniors with an errand to the grocery store or pharmacy, or just a simple phone call to ensure their safety, their health and well-being are in good stead. Helping the Homebound will provide some comfort and peace of mind for our elderly neighbors.”
Helping the Homebound program participants will be provided with green and yellow sheets of paper with instructions and a phone number printed on them. A green sheet placed in the window indicates they are OK, and the yellow sheet will indicate the help or errand that they require from a neighbor or Agency on Aging. The colored paper in the window is designed to alert neighbors and others participating in the program that a participant is in need.
The Helping the Homebound program is a community partnership, shepherded by the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging with the support of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, CEO/Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, Lackawanna County Commissioners, United Neighborhood Centers, Scranton Area Ministerium, NeighborWorks, Scranton Lackawanna Human Development Agency, Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office and the Scranton Mayor’s Office.
“Since this crisis began, many people have asked us how they can be of help. My response has always been that the most effective and immediate impact you can have is to regularly check up on your older adult neighbors to ensure their safety and well-being. This program is a great way to allow neighbors to know at a glance when help is needed,” said Gary Drapek, president and CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.
“Senior citizens are cherished members of our community and the nation, as well. The pandemic has played havoc with everyone’s lives, especially the elderly. We want to make sure that they are not only safe but getting the medical and life-sustaining assistance that they need. We are truly very happy to be a part of the Helping the Homebound initiative to aid the senior citizens of Lackawanna County,” Lackawanna County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Jerry Notarianni said.
The Helping the Homebound program needs volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please send an email with your information to: VOLUNTEER@UWLC.NET. If you are in need of help, please call the Area Agency on Aging at 570-963-6740 or email at aaa@lackawannacounty.org.