Glenn P. Dickes, the director of the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry, is pictured here with Lisa Bacenet, the coordinator of volunteers for the Warwick Friendly Visitor Program. Provided photo.
About 25 people of the people living in Warwick are senior citizens, and 141 of those seniors are part of the Warwick Friendly Visitor Program.
They receive assistance in the form of rides to and from their varying appointments, help with grocery shopping and chores - all while being socially distant and masked when appropriate.
“The Warwick Friendly Visitor Program cannot do what we do if it were not for the partnerships that we have,” said Lisa Bacenet, the program’s coordinator of volunteers. “We are teamed up with the Office for the Aging and Jewish Family Services. Together we assist the senior citizens of Warwick and we are as active as ever.”
Food pantries
The Town of Warwick has many resources. This includes four food pantries: The United Methodist Church at 135 Forester Ave. in the Village of Warwick; the Church of the Holy Rosary, 41 Windermere Ave. in Greenwood Lake; the Florida Community Pantry, 1 North Main St. in the Village of Florida; and the Saint Peter Lutheran Food Pantry, 70 Little York Road in Pine Island.
Walkers, canes or wheelchairs
Another resource is the Warwick Ambulance Corps, which loan walkers, canes or wheelchairs to a neighbor in need.
The Friendly Visitor Program received about 120 phone calls during March and provided about 220 services, including rides for COVID-19 vaccinations - with help from Jewish family Services.
Next training sessions
If you or someone you know would like to become a volunteer, virtual training will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, April 6, at 3 p.m., and Thursday, April 22, at 10 a.m. Call 845-341-1173 extension 305.
Or if you would like to receive services from the Warwick Friendly Visitor Program call the program coordinator Lisa Bacenet at 845-986-1124 extension 400, leave your name, number and what services you need.