School department helps recruit seniors to meal programs – SteinbachOnline.com

The Seine River School Board agreed to help transport elderly people in the city of Ste. Ann for soups and sandwiches. Carers heard the initiative aims to tackle the loneliness many older people face by encouraging social interactions.

“We received a request from the St. Ann area for use School department of the Seine River buses to transport seniors from the community to various soup and sandwich events over the next year,” explains Wendy Bloomfield, chair of the school board. “This will really help to get seniors out of the home and into the community, and dealing with some of the isolation, which many elderly people feel.”

The board approved the plan, which will operate on a payback basis, she said. This means that the municipality will pay for costs such as the driver’s wages, fuel and insurance premiums.

Bloomfield notes: “The board was very adamant that they fully supported it. They were delighted to be able to help the particularly vulnerable elderly in our communities.”

This initiative not only provides transportation but also promotes a sense of belonging among older people in the area.