Portage Service for Seniors hosted its annual To-Go Lunch yesterday. Held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the lunch sold out in just over an hour, marking a successful turnout for the event that raises both funds and awareness for Elder Abuse Awareness.
Executive Director Kaylee Hannah says the event has been an important part of their calendar for several years.
“It’s been a few years now that we’ve been doing it annually. There were 200 lunches, and we sold out within the first hour or so, which we were happy to see,” Hannah says.
Cody Buhler, Marketing Director for the Terriers, and Paul Harland, the recently named Assistant General Manager, handing out information to help educate on Portage Service for Seniors’ many programsPortage Service for Seniors offers a wide range of support to help older adults maintain their independence. These include Meals on Wheels, the Congregate Meal Program, Emergency Response Information Kits (ERIK), transportation services, and additional programs that enable seniors to age in place.
“It’s all programs that help seniors stay in their own homes for as long as possible,” she says.
These services fill growing gaps as more aging residents face challenges such as reduced mobility, living alone, or diminished access to family care. By meeting these needs head-on, the organization ensures local seniors can maintain their dignity and autonomy.
The event carries added weight, coinciding with an ongoing effort to combat elder abuse, a silent crisis affecting many older Canadians. In conjunction with the fundraiser, the organization distributed educational materials to equip community members with the knowledge to recognize and respond to abuse.
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“Elder abuse comes in many different forms, such as financial, physical, emotional, or neglect. Sometimes they don’t even know that it’s happening to them, so we’re here raising awareness and sending out information. We’ve put information on elder abuse in with the lunches as well, so everyone who went home with a lunch also went home with information and the resources where they can turn for help,” she adds.
In recognition of this event, Mayor Sharilyn Knox officially proclaimed June 15th as Elder Abuse Awareness Day for the second year in a row.
Jenn Burston (left) and Kaylee Hannah (right) with Mayor Sharilyn Knox as she proclaimed this Sunday as Elder Abuse Awareness DayThe funds raised through lunch and raffle ticket sales go directly to community-based programming. This includes day-to-day services, as well as outreach and education focused on preventing elder abuse.
“All the proceeds that we’re raising go back into Portage Service for Seniors programming, 100 per cent. Some of the proceeds will also help advocate for seniors who are experiencing abuse, so pamphlets, presentations, and different things like that,” she explains.
The event is made possible with the dedication of volunteers and local supporters who step up year after year to make it a success.
“We appreciate seeing everybody’s support for our organization. The Herman Prior Activity Centre was so gracious in letting us use their space outside of the building for our fundraiser. We are also very thankful for our volunteers because without them, we wouldn’t be able to have this fundraiser or run most of our programs,” she notes.
For those who missed the event but still want to support local seniors or learn more about how to identify, prevent, and report elder abuse, Portage Service for Seniors offers resources and outreach year-round.
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