Shepard of the Valley has partnered with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, League of Women's Voters, and SCOPE Senior Services to form an action group for seniors in need.

The group was created in response to the needs of homebound seniors during the coronavirus pandemic and aims to make sure that seniors have food, medications, and healthcare during this time.

More than 140 volunteers have stepped up to help seniors by delivering food and supplies to them. They are also answering phone calls and handling the temporary food bank that the group created at the Oak Hill Collaborative.

Since March 16, more than 400 seniors have received food deliveries through the project.

"We are expecting an average of 50 to 70 seniors needing food each week in Mahoning County. In order to meet these needs, we established a temporary food bank and are hoping the community can support us with additional food donations for seniors," said Leah Sakacs, Program Coordinator for the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Mahoning & Trumbull Counties.

The temporary food bank is operating Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oak Hill Collaborative located at 507 Oak Hill Avenue in Youngstown.

Donations can be dropped off the Oak Hill Collaborative during operating hours or call 330-530-4038, x2222, to schedule a time for the donation to be picked up.

They are also accepting sewn masks as more than 1,000 masks have been requested by county employees and health officials.

Monetary donations can be made to the League of Women's Voters for the project here.

If you are an individual or organization willing to partner with us to provide goods or services to homebound seniors, please contact Danielle Procopio at 330-530-4038 ext.2057 or email at [email protected].

Most importantly, if you are a senior in need of help, please call the Help Network of Northeast Ohio at 211.