Senior Support Action Group expands into Columbiana County

YOUNGSTOWN — The Senior Support Action Group is expanding services into northern Columbiana County.

SSAG is a coalition of community partners working together to provide seniors with access to food, transportation and companionship in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

SSAG community partners include Big Reach Center of Hope, Flying High Inc, Gleaners Food Bank, LoveThisPlace, SCOPE Senior Services, Shepherd of the Valley, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown and YoFresh.

Organizers said in a news release that SSAG began in April as a pandemic response for homebound seniors and other immunocompromised or disabled persons who lack the means to pick up a box of food from a food bank or food pantry and/or those who have a significant health risk that prevents them from going out.

SSAG intends to continue its services when the pandemic ends.

SCOPE Senior Services has been providing food box delivery to seniors for several years and provided a model for implementation in Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

In addition to providing access to food, SSAG provides transportation to medical appointments and companionship to seniors through our phone pals program.

Services are provided by volunteers, and there is an ongoing need for volunteers to provide these services in the tri-county area. Volunteers can be of any age; however, to deliver food boxes and provide transportation, a valid driver's license and up-to-do date auto insurance is required.

This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 2:34 PM with the headline "Senior Support Action Group expands into Columbiana County."