PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- The Emergency Fund for Older Philadelphians needs money to help seniors in crisis during the coronavirus pandemic. Wanda Mitchell, director of community engagement at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, says the fund provided more than $135,000 in assistance to more than 1,100 older adults in 2020.
"The money is used to assist seniors for medication, medical supplies, food, as well as home heating oil," Mitchell said. "The checks are issued directly to the fuel company, the food store, even eye glasses suppliers, the pharmacy, to assure the needed goods and services are provided to the consumer."
The assistance is meant for people who have nowhere else to turn.
"The emergency fund is provided as a last resource. They would definitely have to speak to a member of the clergy or social service agency, because they are the ones that can make the referral. And once they've completed the assessment, the person would refer them to PCA, and we would provide the check to the provider," Mitchell said.
More information is available online and by calling Teresa Heavens at 215-765-9000, ext. 5053.