Project Blizzard Box Needs Your Help

 The Department of Aging is planning ahead to make sure that participants in the home delivered meal program have an emergency food supply in the event meals can not be delivered. They are requesting your help in funding Project Blizzard Box.  

 Since 1996 the Department of Aging has provided area seniors with Blizzard Boxes which  contain shelf stable, easy to prepare emergency meals. Having a Blizzard Box means the people will have food to eat if inclement weather or other emergencies prevent their routine meal delivery. 

 In January of 2004, such an emergency occurred when a broken water pipe flooded the kitchen used to prepare meals for the home delivery program. The Department of Aging knew most of their people would be OK for three days because of their Blizzard Boxes. That gave the department time to find an alternate location to prepare meals. Civic groups, churches, and caring individuals even provided extra funds for additional Blizzard Boxes at that time.

 This year a $12 donation will provide a senior with a box with five nutritionally balanced emergency meals. The agency anticipates the need for 220 Blizzard Boxes. Donations in any amount will be appreciated.

 Contact Karen Rice, Nutrition Coordinator, 687-4120 Ext. 324 for more information. Checks can be made out to Project Blizzard Box, and mailed to The Department of Aging, 9 Sheldon Guile Blvd., Owego, NY  13827.