The holidays can be isolating for many seniors in Oceana County, with most services and businesses, including grocery stores, closing early.
Oceana County Council on Aging (OCCOA), with the support of local churches, the Oceana Community Foundation and many volunteers, worked to address the holiday isolation by delivering care packages to 31 seniors in all corners of Oceana County on December 23, 2025.
The care packages included fresh food and pantry items thanks to the partnership with the St. Stephens Lutheran Church and the Pentwater Centenary United Methodist Church. The OCCOA also received support from the Oceana Community Foundation’s Investment Fund and Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund for a sharing shelf, which helped supply personal care items.
“This time of year can be hard for many reasons,” OCCOA Executive Director Stephanie Moore said. “The packages not only supply extra food and care items to help get through the holiday break, but also serves as a reminder that each person is valued and that we’re thinking of them this Christmas.”
If anyone knows of someone that could benefit from a care package over long holiday weekends, please contact the OCCOA Senior Care Services Director at jsmith@oceanacoa.com or by calling 231-873-4461 to be registered for the next delivery.
