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Virginia’s Farm Market Fresh program helps eligible seniors get fresh produce and supports local farmers and farmers’ markets.
The program offers coupons to low-income residents age 60 or older, which can be exchanged for fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and fresh-cut herbs at approved farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Older adults in Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties can complete an application at their local Area Agency on Aging, Piedmont Senior Resources, 434-767-5588 or email rplonski@psraaa.org. Participation is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. “We are pleased to once again offer this program to our older adults across the region,” said Interim PSR CEO Thomas Jordan Miles III. “We have room to grow with this program, and we are working with the Department of Aging to ensure social distancing and, if appropriate, the wearing of face coverings during these market events.” For more information on the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, visit https://vda.virginia.gov/sfmnp.htm. For more information on Piedmont Senior Resources, visit www.psraaa.org. The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services’ Office for Aging Services partners with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 10 local Area Agencies on Aging and one city government to operate the program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging (PSR) is rolling out new programs in response to the continued health threats and risks stemming from COVID-19.
PSR staff and volunteers will soon be transporting and purchasing staple grocery items and prescription medications for older adults in an effort to keep those most vulnerable to COVID-19 in their homes. “Thanks to the funding in the CARES Act from the Congress, our agency is in a great position to initiate some new, out of the box, programming that will result in fewer older adults having to go out to the stores and pharmacies, thereby exposing themselves to the virus,” said PSR Interim CEO Thomas Jordan Miles III. “We’ve got staff and volunteers who are ready and willing to pick up the groceries and their prescription drugs and work with our clients, while identifying up new clients.” Volunteers are needed to purchase, shop and deliver both groceries and medicine. Miles said there is specific criteria for both the grocery and medicine programs. “As for the grocery pick up program, the client will be provided a standard approved list of grocery options to be picked up from selected grocery stores. We will shop once a month for each client, using gift cards with a maximum spending amount.” Older adults must call PSR at least seven business days in advance of their requested drop off date, and the client must be home to receive the groceries. “As for the medicine program, the client must call PSR at least ten (10) business days in advance of their requested prescription pickup date,” Miles said. In addition to the client being home to receive the medication, the client must contact their pharmacist and confirm with them that a PSR staff member or volunteer will be paying and picking up medications. If not confirmed, medication will not be picked up. The PSR staff member or volunteer will confirm with client’s pharmacist that they will be in to pay and pick up medications. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, PSR has received more than $730,000 in federal aid to help keep older adults at safe and secure. The money was approved by the U.S. Congress through the Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The medicine and grocery programs begins June 1 and are available to older adults age 60 and older in Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties. For more information on the program or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Laura Gaston at 434-767-5588, or email lgaston@psraaa.org. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging (PSR) has received more than $730,000 in federal aid to help keep older adults across the seven-county area remain safe and secure.
The money was approved by the U.S. Congress through the Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “This money is coming to us from the federal government because we are the designated Area Agency on Aging for the counties of Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Nottoway, Lunenburg and Prince Edward counties,” said Interim CEO Thomas Jordan Miles III. “There is no local match with this money, unlike with our standard Older Americans Act funds where there is a required local 10 percent match.” The FFCRA funds are strictly for home meal delivery, per restrictions placed on the funds by the Congress, which means more frozen and hot meals for older adults aged 60 and over. “Through the FFCRA, and part of the CARES Act, we are able to really ramp up our traditional frozen meal program, and begin the delivery of hot, nutritious meals from local restaurants in an effort to support these small businesses when they are suffering immensely,” Miles said. Besides more home delivered meals, the CARES Act funding will result in a wide, temporary expansion of programs and services, including the homemaker/companion aid program, the purchasing of more personal protective equipment for clients, such as gloves and masks, the ability to complete more additional small, home projects, more services from the care coordination program, additional funds for check-in calls for isolated seniors, money providing for emergency services, such as temporary housing, purchase of groceries and medicine for older adults, and additional resources for PSR’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman to help those in nursing and rehabilitation facilities communicate with their loved ones during quarantine. “These federal funds will not only help PSR meet its mission of advocating, advancing and achieving independence for the aging community, but help keep our older adults in this community well as we operate under the tight grip of COVID-19,” Miles said. “Our staff is willing and able to expand our services to more older adults. Though our offices are not open to the public, our staff members are working full time for the aging community using more innovation and novelty now more than ever.” For more information on PSR’s programming and services, call 1-434-767-5588 or email psr@psraaa.org.
Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 14, 2019, through January 2, 2020, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 15, 2020. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc. Jordan Miles says "Thank you!" PSR CEO Justine Young explains the Share the Love Event ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Celebrate The 2019 Subaru Share The Love Event by donating to PSR! We’re seeking donations to deliver to seniors the week before Christmas!
Deadline to donate is Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 at PSR at 1413 S. Main Street in The Shoppes at College Park in Farmville. Contact PSR at 434-767-5588 or email jmiles@psraaa.org for more details!   Director of Transportation Thomas Jordan Miles III stands with Janice Lee, left, and PSR client Lillie Norman during a successful medical appointment. Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging (PSR) is set to receive a second van for non-emergency medical transportation serving older adults.
“Recently we were notified by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) that they were awarding us funding, part of which we have to match, for a second 5-passenger, handicap-accessible minivan,” said Director of Transportation and Nutrition Thomas Jordan Miles III. “With one van covering isolated seniors in all seven counties we serve, our program has been in high demand to say the least.” DRPT also awarded PSR $9,000 in senior transportation vouchers to help offset the cost of transportation for seniors. PSR had to fundraise and write grants to pay for 20 percent of the new van, totaling almost $8,000. The agency also had to match a portion of the vouchers, totaling $1,800. “This is why we have to fundraise, partner with other agencies, and write so many grants,” Miles said. “So far this year since we began the program, we have successfully completed nearly 400 appointments, logging more than 21,000 miles serving older adults in Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties,” Miles said. To qualify, clients must be age 60 and older, be unable to drive or have barriers to transportation, and call at least seven business days prior to their medical appointment. “Because of the high demand, we are generally booked solid for about three weeks, so the sooner you call, the better,” Miles said. PSR’s volunteer and paid drivers are professionally trained and skilled to interact with older adults, Miles said. “We are seeking more volunteer drivers for this program as it grows. Volunteering can mean once a week or the frequency of your choice.” PSR also successfully applied for a $10,000 grant from Impact 1980, a National Lutheran Program, established in 2014. “Impact 1980 is a grant-making organization that funds programs for organizations assisting primarily underserved older adults who are aging with choice in their homes throughout Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia,” Miles said. Impact1890 is sponsored by National Lutheran Communities & Services, a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving people of all beliefs. To learn more about Impact1890 visit www.impact1890.org. PSR also recently received a grant for $2,000 from Dominion Energy and the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. “Our client surveys are showing that this vital service is having a significant impact on the health of our seniors,” Miles said. “Our program is resulting in missing fewer appointments, better health outcomes, less stress for caregivers and families of our clients, and addressing one of the largest social determinants of health – isolationism.”
Join PSR during the week of Sept. 23-27 for Falls Prevention Week! Master Trainers for Matter of Balance will be hosting short educational sessions about falls prevention Matter of Balance Exercises during this half-hour session. Please see the flyer below for more information. Contact Jordan Miles at (434) 767-5588 with questions.   Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging (PSR) is planning a free social function for all seniors age 60 and older in the region, headlining it as a “Senior Throwback Dance.”
The event will be held on Friday, Sept. 6 from 11 am until 2 pm at the Farmville Moose Lodge, which has generously donated the use of their building to host this exciting event. “We’ve been hearing from our seniors for some time that they want to fellowship in a different environment than the friendship cafes,” said Director of Nutrition and Transportation Thomas Jordan Miles III. “This event will include music, dancing, a nutritious meal, prizes, and much more.” Seniors living in Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward are invited to attend. Seniors will be required to sign in, provide their telephone number, and undergo a simple assessment over the phone before attending the event. The music, provided by DJ Mike “Baddog” Thompson, will span the 1950s through the 1970s. Lunch will also be provided. “For those of you who love to dress up, feel free to come dressed in the attire of your favorite time era,” Miles said. “There will be a prize giveaway for the best dressed lady and gentleman. Dressing up is encouraged, but not required.” If you would like to attend the event, YOU MUST RSVP by calling PSR at 434-767-5588 and asking to speak with either Nikki Dean or Jordan Miles. |
