This Thanksgiving, over 18 people across West Virginia participating in the Experience Works Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), are processing and shelving food donations, keeping track of inventory, filling emergency food box orders, and helping to cook and serve meals at more than 14 food banks, homeless shelters, and nutrition programs across the state.
With thousands of requests from hungry families each day, the SCSEP participants are providing a crucial lifeline in local communities, said Carole Kincaid, West Virginia State Director for Experience Works. “Although valued year-round, their community service is especially important during the Thanksgiving season as food requests dramatically increase.
“Older workers thrive on their ability to give back,” said Kincaid. “Our program provides work experiences, training, and other services that help low income older workers give back to their community as a stepping stone to employment. They learn new skills, earn needed income and help others. Once they get full time jobs, many volunteer with an organization that allows them to give back to the community in a meaningful way.”
Experience Works is the nation’s largest organization providing training, community service, and employment opportunities for low-income adults age 55 and older through the (SCSEP) in West Virginia and 29 other states, plus Puerto Rico. For more information visit www.experienceworks.org.
