NEWS

Soap pantry helps seniors, disabled

Millicent Martin Emery
mmartin@richmond.gannett.com

When Senior Opportunities Services homemakers visit seniors and disabled residents, they sometimes discover a lack of cleaning supplies and/or personal care products.

Their fixed incomes and high medical expenses can make it tough to afford other necessities.

Or, if they're homebound, residents might not be able to buy items when they're needed.

Thus, SOS offers a soap pantry to help those 55 and older and the disabled live independently with dignity.

However, SOS can't afford to buy the items, so community donations are needed.

A bag is ready to be delivered to a Senior Opportunities Services client with cleaning and personal care supplies. Donations of supplies are welcome at Senior Opportunities Services' craft shop, 401 S. Fourth St., Richmond.

Items needed for the SOS soap pantry include toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, shampoo, bar soap, liquid hand soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, men’s and women’s deodorant, small jugs of laundry detergent (easy to lift), pine cleaner, scouring powder, dish soap, toilet bowl cleaner, trash bags, dryer sheets, glass cleaner, and furniture polish.

Donors can drop off items at SOS, 401 S. Fourth St., Richmond, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, or deliver them during SOS' 36th annual Fourth Street Fair, which will be Oct. 1-2.

The Palladium-Item is featuring SOS programs as part of its 12 Months of Giving campaign in September.

SOS was featured last September as well because of the high needs.

Executive director Vicki Brim said last year's contributions were "wonderful."

SOS has a partnership with the Wayne Township Trustee's office to deliver food from the Community Food Pantry to about 60 homebound seniors in need.

"We've been able to give them some extra things because of the donations last year," Brim said. "It's wonderful to be able to do that."

Brim said many residents didn't know about the soap pantry or its needs until reading last year's Palladium-Item's coverage. Donations filled the back room and the icebox (SOS is inside a former grocery store) last fall.

Increased awareness also led to a trickle of donations in recent months, but supplies are beginning to be depleted.

Home services

SOS, a Richmond nonprofit organization, connects 55-plus workers who will do cleaning, yard work, companion sitting, cooking, grocery shopping or other home projects for seniors or disabled Wayne County residents.

Some seniors qualify for aid to pay for homemaker or home maintenance services funded through the Area 9 In-Home and Community Services Agency.

Government funding for the program is low and the program usually has a waiting list.

However, there's temporary good news for local seniors and disabled. A $20,000 grant awarded in June from Reid Health's Community Benefit program means more seniors and disabled can temporarily receive free homemaker help who usually don't qualify under income guidelines.

Through the Reid grant, SOS can give eight free homemaker visits of two hours each to those who need some help.

Those interested are encouraged to call SOS at (765) 962-1010 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays to explain their needs and provide their contact information. Executive director Vicki Brim and clerical assistant Barb Limburg make the arrangements.

Those services will become harder for seniors to access when the Reid grants run out, however.

Donations and grants from local individuals and businesses can be given to SOS to help other people waiting for services.

A third option also is available. SOS offers private-pay Handy Helper homemaker and handyman services for $15 per hour anytime to seniors and the disabled regardless of income.

Craft shop

Seniors can also make money by selling their crafts on consignment at SOS' shop at 401 S. Fourth St. The craft shop is open to the public year-round from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Locally made toys, hats, doll clothes, wood crafts and other items are for sale for all ages.

SOS provides crafters with a place to show their creativity and earn a little money, and SOS keeps a portion of the sales for overhead expenses. Some crafters choose to donate their sales to SOS.

One of the organization's main fundraisers is renting booth space to vendors of all ages at the 36th annual Fourth Street Fair. The festival features food, arts and crafts, flea market items and non-profit organizations.

Wish list

Items needed for Senior Opportunities Services’ soap pantry for seniors include: Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, shampoo, bar soap, liquid hand soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, men’s and women’s deodorant, small jugs of laundry detergent (easy to lift), pine cleaner, scouring powder, dish soap, toilet bowl cleaner, trash bags, dryer sheets, glass cleaner, and furniture polish.

Financial gifts can be earmarked to help seniors in need of services through the homemaker/handyman program. 

Drop off items at SOS, 401 S. Fourth St., Richmond, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, or deliver them during the Fourth Street Fair, which is Oct. 1-2. 

How to get involved

If you need help with homemaker or handyman services, or are 55-plus and would like to find work, contact Senior Opportunities Services at (765) 962-1010, http://sos-richmond.com, or visit the craft shop/office at 401 S. Fourth St., Richmond. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Employers are also encouraged to register their job openings with SOS at no charge.

Upcoming fundraisers

• Vendors are sought to rent booths at SOS’ Fourth Street Fair Oct. 1-2. Non-electric booths are $60 and electric booths are $150 for the whole weekend. Local musicians/entertainers who would like to showcase their skills (no pay is available) may contact the office.

• SOS will have a booth at Warm Glow Candle Outlet's Fall Festival on Sept. 24 in Centerville and at Area 9's Caregiver Retreat on Nov. 3 at The Leland Legacy in Richmond. 

• IU men’s a cappella ensemble Another Round and RHS choir students will perform a concert Nov. 11 at Civic Hall to benefit SOS. Tickets will be on sale soon for $10 in advance or $12 at the door.