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Members of the Warren County Trailblazers 4-H club packed more than 100 senior care bags for Missouri Good Neighbor Week. -
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Members of the Warren County Trailblazers 4-H club after packing more than 100 senior care bags for Missouri Good Neighbor Week. -
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Members of the Warren County Trailblazers and Warren County Extension Council members delivered 100 care bags to Sheryl Stefanski, center, at the Warren County Senior Center.
Maureen Michel is an MU Extension youth program associate in Warren County.
The University of Missouri Extension Council in Warren County wanted to create a meaningful service project for Missouri Good Neighbor Week that would support senior citizens throughout Warren County. After brainstorming ideas, the council decided to create senior care bags filled with everyday essentials, including items such as toilet paper and dish soap, along with food items for seniors who may be experiencing food insecurity. The bags also included snacks, game books, and other small items intended to provide comfort and enjoyment.
It was decided that the majority of the care bags would be distributed through the Warren County Senior Center and the Warren County Meals on Wheels program. Additional donated items would be assembled into baskets and delivered to several local senior living facilities, allowing the project to reach even more seniors throughout the county.
The Extension Council partnered with Warren County 4-H to make the project possible. The Warren County Trailblazers 4-H Club volunteered to help assemble the care bags and also applied for grant funding to help cover the cost of the project.
Once grant funding was secured from the Missouri 4-H Foundation, the Warren County 4-H Council also made a financial contribution to the project, and the needed supplies and food items were purchased. During a club meeting, members of the Trailblazers 4-H club worked with MU Extension staff to fill the care bags and baskets and prepare them for delivery.
On Wednesday, September 30, just in time for Good Neighbor Week, the care bags and baskets were delivered to senior citizens and senior-serving organizations throughout Warren County. This collaboration by Warren County Extension, Warren County 4-H and community partners provided not only practical necessities but also a reminder to local seniors that their community cares about them.