Seniors often miss help from Outreach Center

As co-director of the Pilot Mountain Outreach Center, Karen Caparolie has seen the struggles of many area seniors whose budget seems to fall just short of meeting their needs. She is now seeking to make sure they know that some help may be available.

Caparolie and her husband, Jimmy, have served as directors of the Pilot Mountain food bank since its inception in February of 2002. As they celebrate the center’s 18th anniversary, the couple wants to remind those who need help that it can often be found at the center.

“A lot of times, a senior may lose their husband or wife and they don’t realize they may now be in a lower bracket that qualifies them for help,” Karen Caparolie said. “Often, they qualify when they don’t think they would.”

“Many times these are people who could use help but they’ve always taken pride in making it on their own and it’s hard for them to ask for help,” she continued. “But if they’d just come by and fill out an application they may be surprised to find out how getting help with food could help them in all areas of their budget.”

“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about and as they get older, a lot of people need help whether or not they still have their spouse.”

Caparolie went on to describe a recent conversation with a lady whose mother was finding it difficult to pay for the heating fuel she needed to stay warm. As they talked, both began to realize that if the struggling senior could get help with food, the money she was saving could be used to meet other important needs in her life.

“We’re just not able to provide money or to directly help with some of the other needs,” Caparolie explained. “But if someone qualifies for help with food, and a lot of seniors do that don’t realize it, that money they’re saving could go toward helping with things like utilities and medicine. Getting help with food expense can help with a budget.”

Caparolie noted that sometimes circumstances can also create need in the lives of younger families, especially those with children.

“We work with people to help them get the food they need,” she noted, “even if they’re on a special diet. We just want to be here for those who need it.”

The Pilot Mountain Outreach Center is located at 407 East Highway 52 Bypass in Pilot Mountain. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 am until noon. The center can be reached at 336-368-4907.

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Outreach center Co-Director Karen Caparolie, right, works with volunteers to select just the right dessert during a Thanksgiving meals food program held last year at the Pilot Mountain Outreach Center.

https://www.mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/web1_52-1-.jpgOutreach center Co-Director Karen Caparolie, right, works with volunteers to select just the right dessert during a Thanksgiving meals food program held last year at the Pilot Mountain Outreach Center. File photo

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Source: https://www.mtairynews.com