Community members spring into action to feed seniors

PALMER — A group of concerned citizens mobilized quickly to help senior citizens in need as the outbreak of coronavirus has restricted mobility for all with specifically heightened concern for seniors.

About two weeks ago, Imran Chaudhry put together a group on Facebook looking to connect those who wanted to help with senior citizens. Chaudhry said that the group had hundreds of members in just days, most of those members being people who wanted to help compile and deliver supplies to seniors who were sheltering at home.Chaudhry helped gather director of Santa Cop and former Palmer Police Department officer Donna Anthony, Palmer Senior Services CEO Elaine Phillips, Palmer Mayor Edna DeVries and representatives from the Mat-Su Borough . In just over a week, the group met and decided a plan of action. On Monday, 203 boxes with a two week supply of food were delivered to seniors from Palmer to Talkeetna.

“This whole program goes to show you that even in tough time during these we all can come together for one specific goal,” said Chaudhry.

As of Monday, 119 people in Alaska have tested positive for COVID 19 with three deaths to Alaskans occurring as a result of complications from the coronavirus. At press conferences held on weekdays, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink has repeatedly mentioned that the most at risk population for becoming infected with COVID 19 is people above the age of 60 and those individuals with underlying heart, lung, liver and kidney conditions. As cases began to appear in Alaska, some of the first health alerts issued by Governor Dunleavy were to limit visitation for senior citizens. Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum has said that restrictions on visitation at senior living facilities may be extended past the in state travel restrictions enacted on Friday to keep seniors safe.

“Talking to these seniors, it breaks your heart. They’re pretty scared,” said Anthony.

Prior to the arrival of the first case in Palmer or the first case in Alaska, Chaudhry and his group of dedicated officials were working to ensure that senior citizens in the Mat-Su Valley would not go hungry as a result of stricter visitation at senior centers and eventual travel restrictions announced Friday. Chaudhry’s facebook group “Seniors of the Mat-Su Valley Support Group” now has over 500 members and were able to distribute over 200 meals on Monday. Prior to the distribution of groceries, the group received a $50,000 grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation to help cover the cost of food and entered into a partnership with Carrs, who helped set aside the massive order of food for the seniors.

“We want to let seniors know that we are there to help them if they are afraid to leave the house,” said Anthony.

Volunteers have been directed to fill out a background check with the Santa Cop program to help in the preparation and distribution of food to seniors. The group will make their second round of deliveries later this week.

“They’re so thankful to the community,” said Anthony.