Social isolation and loneliness are serious health issues and can become more common with age, and heightened due to the pandemic. According toa scientific report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and funded by the AARP Foundation, 43 percent of adults age 60 or older in the U.S. reported feeling lonely. Gifts for Seniors is a charitable 501(c) (3) nonprofit that was created with the realization that across the Twin Cities thousands of seniors are living emotionally disadvantaged lives. For them, a spouse has died, children have moved away, or failing health and diminished income have left them unable to reach out. Gifts for Seniors is hosting their 27th Annual Holiday Gift Drive for isolated seniors. You can brighten the holiday season for an isolated older adult in need by supporting the annual holiday gift drive for our neighbors in the Twin Cities metro who may not have friends or family. Here are ways to get involved and help those in need: 

• Contactless giving- Shop the gift registries online and ship directly to our center.  
• Find a drop of location - Shop at your favorite store & drop a gift at a Twin Cities’ barrel host location. 
• Make a financial donation - Fill the gaps on low inventoried gifts. 
• Host a gift drive – Start a gift drive at your company, neighborhood or other association, union, sports team, membership org, social club, book club, wine group, or faith community! 

JOY is not canceled. Every gift has the potential to change a life. Learn more at www.giftsforseniors.org.