By the time the busiest months of hurricane season arrive, 100 or more of our local seniors in the greatest need will be eligible to receive special storm survival kits provided by the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center Foundation, thanks to a $5,000 grant funded by Senior Citizens Services at Pinellas Community Foundation.
Plans were made to provide 200 kits valued at $50 each, but because grant funds were limited this year, the Gulfport Senior Foundation received half of the $10,000 that was requested to pay for the storm survival tools. “Now we’re hoping our community, including a few angels, will step up to make up the difference. We hope we won’t have to reduce the number of kits we can provide.” said Steven Halstead, Foundation Vice President and grant committee chair. “Our community has been very generous before in donating to support our Senior Center Food Pantry Fund.”
The Pinellas Senior Hurricane Emergency Kit will include essential, often unaffordable, items such as first aid kits, hand crank/solar powered radio/chargers, flashlights & batteries, manual can openers, tarps, plastic boxes for documents and much more to help seniors survive wet days without power. A list of items is posted on the Gulfport Senior Foundation’s website for individuals who wish to donate specific items for the kits. Boxes of canned, non-perishable foods including proteins, vegetables, beans, fruits and juices will be provided to each recipient along with their emergency equipment.
Volunteers from the Senior Center, the Senior Center Foundation, and the Gulfport Lions Club will receive and organize the emergency kit items. Dates and the location for drive through distribution will be announced after all items have been received. Recipients of the Gulfport Senior Center Food Pantry services age 55 & up will be among those who have the first opportunity to receive the kits. A second distribution will be offered to other seniors, whose eligibility is determined by the same criteria used to determine food pantry eligibility.