For many people, the holidays are a time of great expectations – much anticipated visits with friends and family traveling back home for the season; surprise gifts received from family and friends. For others, however, the holidays can be a time of intense loneliness, magnified even more when compared with the backdrop of seemingly non-stop festivities and parties enjoyed by everyone else. For these people, the greatest gift they can receive is that of friendship — a comforting hand, a reassuring voice, a friendly face.
This year, Gregory’s Fresh Market, a division of Diana Gregory Outreach Services, once again recruited volunteers and sponsors to bring healthy food and friendship to seniors living in the greater Phoenix area through its fifth annual “Gift of Nutrition” program. In the program, seniors receive fresh fruits and vegetables delivered by volunteers who also spend time with them, offering companionship, entertainment and holiday greetings.
“The holidays can be a tough and lonely time, especially for seniors,”” said Diana Gregory, president and founder of Gregory’s Fresh Market. “We are so grateful to the volunteers who give their time to visit the seniors and to the sponsors who have enabled us to reach more than 7,000 seniors since we started Gift of Nutrition.”
This year, the Gift of Nutrition program ran from November 16 to December 23 and reached more than 20 senior locations in the Greater Phoenix area. In addition to healthy food and visitations, seniors also were treated to musical entertainment from Living Spirit, a singing group of ministers who perform spirit filled music, and from local singer Ivan Thompson.
Added Gregory: “I want to say a special thank you to Angela Curley and the volunteers from the Henkel Corporation for their community service and donation, to ONECare by Care1st Health Plan Arizona Inc., the presenting sponsor of the Gift of Nutrition holiday program, and to the other supporters who generously partnered with us to expand healthy eating options to more seniors in the Greater Phoenix area.”
Proceeds from the 4th Annual Senior Awards Luncheon help fund the holiday program. The luncheon sponsors are Presenting Sponsor, ONECare by Care1st Health Plan Arizona Inc., Southwest Airlines, Walgreens, Henkel, Southwest Gas Corporation, Cox, Arizona Foundation for Women, Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus- Pine Council Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Majerle’s Sports Grill and the Arizona Informant.
Diana Gregory Outreach Services is committed to fulfilling its mission to improve the lives of seniors in the Greater Phoenix area through healthy eating choices.