Gallatin groups prepare holiday aid for seniors on fixed incomes

Residents in Gallatin can expect to see increased activity at local food banks and senior centers as several groups prepare for the holiday season. The efforts focus on providing food, gifts, and social connection to older adults who often live on limited budgets.

Feed Sumner Food Bank in Gallatin has packed 1,000 boxes for Thanksgiving dinner. These boxes will be distributed this weekend. Each box contains a ham and a turkey, in addition to the standard grocery items. Clients will also receive bread and chips with their holiday meal.

Pastor Danny Spano, assistant director at Feed Sumner, noted that more than half of the food bank's monthly clients are age 60 or older. He said that 100 or more of these older clients shop at the bank every month. Another 50 to 60 are homebound and lack transportation to reach the facility. Spano described the financial situation of many of these seniors as difficult. “They’re barely getting by. A lot of them are lonely,” Spano said.

Family Healthcare of Gallatin is running a Christmas gift drive called “Be a Santa to a Senior.” The center is asking for new pajamas, blankets, slippers, and personal care items. It is also requesting sentimental items like Christmas cards from children and activities for entertainment. Donations must be dropped off at the Family Healthcare location by December 18.

The collected items will be taken to the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing. Staff there will distribute the gifts based on need. The center posted the call for donations on Facebook after observing many older patients who are struggling or living alone.

Lucille Koch, a volunteer at the Gallatin Senior Center, said many seniors face financial stress during the month. She noted that Social Security checks often run out before the month ends. “The last week or so, they are penny-pinching, figuring out what they are going to eat,” Koch said. She described the emotional weight of this struggle as significant. “It becomes a lot of heartache,” Koch said.

Gallatin Cares Thrift Shop also reports a rise in demand from older adults. The shop sells donated clothing at low prices and gives items to those who need them. This year, blankets and clothing have been particularly in high demand among the senior population.