Snowstorm bears down on Elderly


The massive snowstorm that is creating havoc throughout Northeastern USA is a special threat to the most vulnerable members of society, the elderly.

Erie, Pennsylvania, is doing something about it, distributing emergency bags to 330 local elderly and disabled residents. The aptly-called "blizzard bags" consist of groceries to help recipients get through this major weather wrecker. The bags will be packed with nonperishable food and drinks - juice, soup, crackers, pudding, applesauce, cereal and dried milk.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania is partnering with Metro-Erie Meals on Wheels to send out about 15 volunteers to distribute the "blizzard bags".

The food drive is in response to a storm that hit Erie on January 21 and is a lesson learned for the blizzard hitting the Northwest USA.

"This is an important need in our community for seniors during these frigid winter months," executive director of Second Harvest Karen Seggi told GoErie.com. "The partnership between Second Harvest and Meals on Wheels seems like a natural one. Second Harvest distributes food supplies to Erie County. Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver daily meals to more than 300 homebound, disabled or elderly who cannot shop or cook.