Approximately 25% of the population of Warwick is made up of senior citizens, 141 of which are part of the Warwick Friendly Visitor Program (FVP). These seniors receive assistance in the form of rides to and from their various appointments, help with grocery shopping and chores – all while being socially distant and masked when appropriate.
The Warwick Friendly Visitor Program cannot do what it does if it were not for the partnerships with the Office for the Aging and Jewish Family Services. Together they assist the senior citizens of Warwick and they are as active as ever.
The Town of Warwick has many resources at its fingertips. This includes the Town’s four Food Pantries located at: 135 Forester Ave. at the United Methodist Church in Warwick; at the Church of the Holy Rosary 41 Windermere Ave. in Greenwood Lake (https://holyrosary-ny.org/); The Florida Community Pantry, 1 N. Main St. in Florida; and, at St. Peter Lutheran Food Pantry, 70 Little York Rd., in Pine Island.
Another resource is the Warwick Ambulance Corps which can provide on loan walkers, canes or wheelchairs to a neighbor in need.
In March, FVP received around 120 phone calls and provided approximately 220 services, including rides for Covid-19 vaccinations with help from Jewish Family Services.
For those interested in becoming a volunteer, virtual training will be held via Zoom on Tues., Apr. 6 at 3 p.m. and Thurs., Apr. 22 at 10 a.m. Call 341-1173, ext. 305 for more information.
To receive services from the Warwick Friendly Visitor Program, call program coordinator Lisa Bacenet at 986-1124 ext. 400, leave your name, number and what services you need.
The Warwick Food Pantry, led by Director Glenn P. Dickes, left, works closely with Lisa Bacenet, Director of the Warwick Friendly Visitor Program, to provide services to senior citizens in the Town of Warwick.
