on a good note Trezevant Manor

on a good note on a good note Seniors Helping Seniors Trezevant Manor

Story: Emily Adams Keplinger Photos: Courtesy of Trezevant Manor

Often, when people retire they are looking forward to taking it easy or at least slowing down. But for those who have lived their lives helping others, that sense of altruism doesn’t just suddenly stop. The desire to give can be a motivation to stay engaged, and it offers a sense of community among kindred spirits. Such is the case with a group at Trezevant Manor.

Rinnie Wood, fitness director at Trezevant, recalls, “In November 2017 I saw a segment on WKNO called ‘No Hungry Senior.’ It involved having people pack boxes that could be dropped off to local seniors. I later learned the program was a sideline to MIFA’s Meals on Wheels initiative. I asked our CEO, Kent Phillips, if he would be interested in exploring something that our residents could do for other seniors. He was willing to consider the idea and brought a group together to investigate the possibility of launching a community outreach for seniors living in subsidized housing. The result was a unique program called ‘Seniors Helping Seniors.’ We’re now going into our third year.”

Wood continues, “To start the program, we presented the idea to our residents at one of their association meetings. The response was overwhelmingly favorable.” The first year, the group donated 600 boxes containing enough non-perishable food to last an individual about a week. The food was selected by a dietician and items were purchased through the Mid-South Food Bank. Last year the group packed 700 boxes and this year Seniors Helping Seniors hopes to pack and deliver over 1,100 boxes.

“We have developed a relationship with Wesley Housing Corporation, which has nine properties around town: Latham Terrace, Luther Terrace, Magnolia Terrace, St. Peter Manor, Union Avenue Baptist Towers, Wesley Graceland Gardens, Wesley Highland Meadows, Wesley Millington Towers and Wesley Stage Park,” says Wood. “Our volunteers love getting on a bus and going to the Mid-South Food Bank, where they pack the boxes, assembly line-style. The boxes are then delivered to the selected properties.”

Wood says she has teamed with the chaplains who provide services at Trezevant to spread the word about the program and the need for volunteers. “Being faith-based is kind of unique to Trezevant among retirement communities,” she adds.

“Aging brings its own set of issues,” says Wood. “Whether you are affluent or not, you still face physical changes, and often pain and sorrow. Layering on hunger is something we are trying to help others avoid. We’ve learned that our residents get personal fulfillment from this program. They get to know new people, and they are still able to give in a way that is meaningful and impactful, so this effort continues to enrich their lives.”

For more information about the Seniors Helping Seniors program, email Rinnie Wood at RWood@Trezevantmanor.org or call 901.251.9223. Trezevant Manor is located in the heart of Memphis at 177 N. Highland.