AUTUMN’S ALLURE EAT, DRINK & CELEBRATE PAGE 23 theconnectionsnj.com magine being able to cook your favorite meal but being unable to go to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients. This is the reality for many seniors in our community. Aging-related issues and limited mobility can make everyday tasks challenging. Simple things, like going to the store for chicken and veggies to make your favorite stew, are difficult for hundreds of homebound residents in Somerset County. Thanks to JFS volunteers, in partnership with the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services and the Somerset Hills Community Health Foundation, older adults can prepare and eat homemade meals of their choice while enjoying their independence. Each week, regularly assigned Senior Shoppers pick up shopping lists, go to the supermarket, and deliver groceries, putting them away when requested by the participant. JFS volunteers not only help homebound older adults with access to food, but they often develop bonds with clients and fellow volunteers. Summer days can be difficult for older adults and may lead to increased isolation due to difficulty navigating the heat. In addition to basic groceries selected by the participant, a familiar face dropping off favorite treats like potato salad, ice pops, and watermelon slices offers physical and emotional nourishment that leaves seniors feeling better after each visit. This summer, JFS introduced a new initiaWe hope to expand Grow & Give in 2026. Do you enjoy exploring your local ShopRite aisles looking for the best deals? Do you want to meet neighbors and make a difference in the lives of Somerset County residents? Please email volunteer@jewishfamilysvc.org to learn about Senior Shopper and other meaningful volunteering opportunities through JFS. JFS is a nonprofit, nonsectarian social service agency serving the needs of individuals and families of all faiths and backgrounds in our tri-county area since 1980. We are committed to serving the needs of the entire community through our continuum of programs. Services provided by JFS include mental health counseling, senior services, career services, family mentorship, Expanding Horizons Special Needs programs, and emergency assistance. Volunteers are engaged at all levels of our agency – we look forward to speaking with you about how you can make a difference! tive in response to increasing food insecurity. Six JFS volunteers with various levels of experience in gardening joined the JFS Pilot JFS Pilot Grow & Give program. The program was created to connect local farms, volunteers, and residents in need through at-home gardening. Some volunteers used their own tomato seedlings, while others received them thanks to a generous donation from Sunhaven Farms in Hillsborough. One volunteer shared, “I’m excited because I enjoy gardening. I have been growing herbs, flowers, and vegetables in my garden for years. My client loves tomatoes, so I was happy to grow cherry tomatoes for her this summer!” Now, it’s harvest time! In July and August, volunteers picked ripe tomatoes and brought them to participants alongside their other groceries. Thanks to the time and energy of JFS volunteers, Senior Shopper participants received fresh tomatoes this summer. COMMUNITY NEWS... Grow & Give with JFS By Natalia Black, JFS Senior Shopper Coordinator I
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