Senior NewsJuly / August 2014

Providing programs for individuals, families and seniors that lead to self-sufficiency and foster independence.

Metrocrest Services13801 Hutton Dr.,

Suite 150Farmers Branch, TX 75234

www.metrocrestservices.org (972) 446-2100

Mon - Fri, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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Twitter

www.facebook.com/metrocrestservices

Twitter @MSS_key

BOARD OF DIRECTORSCraig Woodfield, Chair

Gary Blanscet, Vice ChairSusan Watson, Secretary

Bob Slaten, TreasurerPaul CrooksSonja Dodds

Carol FranzenAnthony HillLee Horn II

Paula JanduraGene JeffriesJohn F. Oliver

John PruittDiane Moreau Randall

John RoppoloJan Rugg

Lou SartorWayne Saunders

Coby SparksJack E. Viveros

Lawrence Whaley

LIAISONS

Pam Pena, C-FBISDLance Murray, Addison

Doug Hrbacek, CarrolltonMarvin Franklin, Coppell

Kirk Connally, Farmers Branch

Volunteer . Donate . SponsorInformation is on-line at

www.metrocrestservices.org

To sign up for our eletter,contact Kathy Thompson:

kthompson@metrocrestservices.org

Each month, a group of volunteers from Hilton Worldwide helps senior shoppers in the food pantry.

Services tailored to senior needs For older adults with a fixed and limited income, one difficult life event can change getting by today into ongoing troubles as they struggle with rising housing and health care costs, diminished savings, and job loss. Over 75% of seniors depend on Social Security for all or most of their monthly income and one in three will have no money left, or will be in debt after meeting essential monthly expenses. Benefits replace only about 41 percent of past earnings and Medicare’s Supplementary Medical Insurance (Part B) premiums are deducted from checks, further reducing income. As living and medical expenses continue to rise and benefits for programs such as SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) decrease, older adults are coping with food insecurity, defined as being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable and nutritious food. Nationwide, 1 out of 4 seniors is considered food insecure, especially troublesome because of their unique nutritional needs and special diets to help manage medical conditions. Rachel Smith retired from Parkland and with her small pension, lived on her own until she had to go onto dialysis and could no longer live alone. “I have to have certain foods to eat, but lost my SNAP benefits when I moved in with my son, so being able to come to the food pantry is a real benefit for me.” That gap in benefits is not uncommon, and at Metrocrest Services, many of our programs are available only to seniors and directly address these needs. Our Case Managers meet with clients to determine what their specific challenges are and which programs can best meet them. “My SNAP benefits went down and copayments for medical care went up! “said Elnora Pollard. “That makes it hard for me to afford groceries and I really appreciate the fresh produce I can get in the food pantry.” Visits to our food pantry also help those with limited income manage their expenses, as money saved on food can go topay other bills. Camilla Zimbal, Senior Director of Social Servicessays, “Clients who sign up withthe Transportation programreceive free rides to our office for their appointments and

Eat Smart, Live Strong participants, from left: Doris Smith, Elnora Pollard, Rita Moss, and Rachel Smith. pantry visits.” Eat Smart, Live Strong provides additional food to qualified seniors and includes fresh produce, meat and eggs. Metrocrest Services is also the distribution site for Dallas and Denton County residents enrolled in PAN (People and Nutrition,) a federal supplemental food program available only to senior residents. Since we are not a government affiliate or funded by one specific

group, we rely on a broad base of support. Individual and groups of volunteers are essential to our ability to provide the wide range of services we offer. The food pantry is one area in which volunteers provide 100% of the staffing and we truly appreciate the many hours given to this program. The great relationships we have with area businesses, civic groups, schools and churches are a critical component in our ability to continue to meet the needs of our growing senior population. If you have questions about our programs, please call (972) 446-2100 or send an email to teubanks@metrocrestservices.org. On the third Thursday of each month, we offer a a tour that is informative and gives participants an opportunity to ask questions about the agency and those we serve. Please join us at 9:30 a.m on July 17th to learn how you can work with us to build a stronger community together.

Tracy Eubanks, CEOMetrocrest Services

Case Managers, from left: Smita Koshy, Kelsey Cox, Liza Sullivan-Galloway, and Claudia Rodriguez and Camilla Zimbal, Senior Director of Client Services.

The office of Metrocrest Services will be closed Independence Day - Friday, July 4, 2014

July /Aug 2014 Metrocrest Senior News

Thank-you, donors.

Farmers Branch Woman’s Club

At the annual luncheon, Jeanne Sawyer, longtime volunteer, presented a check to

Tracy Eubanks, CEO and Kathy Blaschke, Finance Director.

Home Repairs volunteer groups help seniorsRecently a group from Holy Covenant United Methodist Church (right) repaired the garage and replaced a patio cover at the home of a senior resident. Groups as well as individual volunteers from HUMC have supported this program for years.PepsiCo. is a corporate partner that provides large groups of volunteers to the Home Repair programseveral times a year as part of their team building train-ing. The group below painted the exterior of a home,

cleared debris and completed other home maintenance tasks.Through our Home Repair program, seniors can more easily afford to maintain

their homes, since volunteers provide the labor. We have indivual and groups of volunteers for projects large and small, with skills that enable us to provide assistance on small electrical or plumbing issues as well as larger outside chores. If you know someone who needs our help, or would like to put your skills to good use as a volunteer, please visit www.metrocrestservices.org or call Rich Piper, Home Repair Coordinator at (972) 446-2100.

Summer programs underway We are happy to have Hira Saleem, as our ExxonMobil Community Jobs Program Intern

this summer. She is coordinating the Sack Summer Hunger program and distribution. We are already gearing up for Back to School, and expect to provide around 900 students with a backpack and needed school supplies. You can support this program through a donation to sponsor a student (on-line at www.metro-crestservices.org) or by donating a backpack, notebook paper, scissors, rulers, crayons, glue sticks, construction paper, ballpoint pens, or pencils.

If you are interested in volunteering at the one day distribution event on August 21, 2014, please visit the website to sign up.

Our CondolencesTo the family of Carl Clevenger, who passed away

recently. Carl was a Driver with our Transportation program. His sense of humor and courtesy was greatly appreciated by clients and staff alike.

In Memory ofJess Beltran Linda BeltranLuAnn Powers Benderman Susie BynumTweezy Benedict Donna BenedictMary Ann Bob Ed BobCarl Clevenger Frankie WilfordKen & Bea Dyer James DyerJohn & June Farrell Kirk OsgoodMr. & Mrs. Lonnie M. Hall Mary Laura PiercePolly W. Hilliard Addison HilliardMary Imy Ken Imy, David, Karen, Donna & CindyRose Jagers Robert Jagers Gene Moore John Oliver

In memory of, cont.James “Ozzie” Osburn Beth Brown Barry Lang Eric Moore Diane SmileyBob J. Pierce Mary Laura PierceMichael Taylor Barbara TaylorTom Tinkle Dannette AlbertsAllan Trotter Janet BertrandIn Honor ofMegan & Lauren Allen Louann SartorFarmers Branch Tranquility Marty GiehrlDan Howard Teri HowardLeigh Ann Osburn Barry LangEsue Sizer Phillip SizerVolunteers Isabel Anders

On-line donations, honorariums & memorial gifts can be made at metrocrestservices.org

Atmos Carrolltonsupports Sack Summer Hunger

Jan Rugg, Manager of Public Affairs presented a check to Tracy Eubanks, CEO.

Center offers something for everyone

At The Coppell Senior and Community Center, there are members from every background and many countries. Set back into Grapevine Springs Park, seniors can enjoy the views of nature while just sitting in the lobby or enjoy relax and chat with friends on the spacious terrace. We offer catered luncheons, bingo, Kaffe Klatch chats and a monthly Supper Club outing. Many members also enjoy games such as bridge, pinochle, billiards, and Mahjong. Educational seminars vary from Health and Wellness to Technology 101 and beyond. We also provide daily computer access, a library, and WIFI so our partners can stay up-to-date in the world of Information Technology or enjoy a good read. For the creative, classes include the Knit Wits Fiber Arts Group, horticulture, Zentangle, upcycling vintage china, Steampunk art creations, alcohol ink, vintage beaded garlands, and jewelry making. A range of physical activities help residents find an enjoyable way to stay fit and include gentle Yoga, Aquacise, circuit training, Fit Dance Plus, Zumba, Nia Movement Fusion, and line dancing. Members are able to give back by volunteering with Seniors for a Clean Coppell, collecting canned foods to donate, or through the Knit Wits Fiber Arts Group, which donates their knitting and sewing projects to our local community hospitals for the infants-in-need program. Stop by the Coppell Senior Center at 345 W. Bethel Road, or visit our website, www.coppelltx.gov to learn more about our programs and classes.

July /Aug 2014 Metrocrest Senior News

Have a bountiful crop?Please bring your surplus garden produce to our food pantry! Our senior shoppers love the variety of fresh vegetables donated by our community gardens and individual gardeners.

Typically, donations to the pantry decline during the summer months. We are currently asking groups, businesses or individuals to conduct drives for one or more of these items:

Baking Items ~ sugar, flour, Jell-O, pudding, Jiffy cornbread mix, and other baking needs

Beans ~ bagged

Fruit ~ canned

Condiments ~ jelly, mayo, mustard, pickles, etc.

Hygiene Items ~ shampoo, toothpaste, denture cleaner, soap, deodorant, adult diapers, etc.

Household Items ~ laundry detergent, toliet paper, dishsoap, paper towels, foil, etc.

For more information about conducting a drive for our food pantry, please contact Shay Smith at (972) 446-2100, ext. 118.

Mon, Oct. 27, 2014Crowne Plaza - Addison

For more information, call (972) 446-2101 or email

teubanks@metrocrestservices.org

TEE UP for

The Senior Flight winning team members were

Ken Caffey, Walter Soap, Stan Stoke

and Truman Welch.

Volunteers were essential to the success of the tournament.

At left, Caroll Scott and

Marlene Koonce-Lippe

at the registration table.

We appreciate each and every one

who gave their time to this fundraising

event!

Our thanks to all our sponsors,

prize donors and volunteers!

The 2014 TEE UP for Metrocrest Services Golf Tournament was held Tuesday, May 20th at The Tribute Golf Club in The Colony. With GEICO as the Leaderboard sponsor, teams of golfers teed off to enjoy play on the Scottish links overlooking Lake Lewisville. Trophies were awarded during lunch, which was provided by Addison’s Outback Steakhouse.

The Player’s Flight First Place team

members were Pat Canuteson,

Jack Akins, James Miller and Ed Jones.Tripp Austin won Closest

to the Pin and Lance Osborne won Longest

Drive.

Community Servant

Recognition Luncheon

Call us when you downsize! We will take your gently used household items & return the

proceeds to serving our community.Several years ago, Laura Siadek found herself unemployed past 50, and unable to get a job despite excellent qualifications. She

decided to volunteer in order to keep busy and keep a positive attitude. “Volunteering was a great morale lifter and I loved helping people,” Laura says. She brings that desire to be of service to her work as the Manager of Metrocrest Resale, adding, “I am grateful that Metrocrest Services didn’t look at my age but at my experience!”

From left: Derimi

Lockhart, Driver

and Laura

Siadek, Manager.

Visit Metrocrest Resale on Facebook!Sales events, new inventory and

alerts on one-of-a-kind items.

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDDallas TX

Permit # 242488

Time Sensitive Material!Please deliver by 6/30/14

Metrocrest Services Senior News ~ July /Aug ‘14This newspaper is published bi-monthly by Metrocrest Services, a non-profit agency serving Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Farmers Branch and city of Dallas in Denton County. The printed News is delivered free to homes of 60+ area residents and is free to everyone on-line at www.metrocrestservices.org

July /Aug 2014

13801 Hutton Dr.Suite 150Farmers Branch, TX 75234 www.metrocrestservices.org

Metrocrest Senior News

Information & Referral . Case Management . Emergency Aid . Home Delivered Meals . Holiday Food & Gifts Employment Assistance . Home Repair . Transportation . Food Pantry . Sack Summer Hunger . Back to School

You can reach thousands of local seniors by placing your

sponsor ad on this page.

For more information, contact Tracy Eubanks by email:

teubanks@metrocrestservices.org

Metrocrest Services StaffTracy Eubanks, Chief Executive OfficerCharlie Lindner, Chief Financial OfficerKathy Blaschke, Finance DirectorNicole Newkham, Senior Director, Development & Special ProgramsMike Harris, Development ManagerCamilla Zimbal, Senior Director, Social ServicesKelsey Cox, Case WorkerSmita Koshy, Case WorkerClaudia Rodriguez, Case WorkerLiza Sullivan-Galloway, Case WorkerBarbara Ball, Information CoordinatorKathy Thompson, Administrative AssistantMarisol Rodriguez, Client Technology AssistantBruce Gibson, I & RYesenia Gonzalez, I & RRich Piper, Home Repair CoordinatorJudy Chamberlin, DriverRalph Valliere, DriverLarry Dennis, DriverGlenda Lappe, DriverRonnie Lappe, DriverJudy Twu, DriverShay Smith, Volunteer & Program ManagerTammy Payton, Program ManagerLaura Siadek, Metrocrest Resale Manager

Hours of Operation

10 a.m. - 7 p.m.Mon - Sat

Every Tuesday is Senior

Discount DaySave 20% off regularly

priced items.

Location:Bent Tree Plaza,

2661 Midway Rd., #207 (SW corner Midway

& Trinity Mills)in Carrollton.

Shop & save...donate & support!

Senior News

Get moving with our Transportation program!

• Door to door assistance• Safe, affordable & reliable• Background checks on all

drivers

Rides are scheduled one week in advance.

Call (972) 446-2100 to register for Transportation and to schedule a ride.

To cancel or change a previously sceduled ride,

call (972) 839-5095 by 9 a.m. on the day of the scheduled ride.

Meet our new driverWe are happy to welcome

Ralph Valliere as a Transportation Driver.