The macon county retired and senior volunteer program (rsvp) has effectively provided measurable solutions to community challenges by engaging individuals age 55 and older in volunteerism since june…

The macon county retired and senior volunteer program (rsvp) has effectively provided measurable solutions to community challenges by engaging individuals age 55 and older in volunteerism since june 1973. An estimated 175 rsvp volunteers will serve and of this number, 50 unduplicated rsvp volunteers will be placed in an outcome assignment. The remaining volunteers will be placed in activities that will include the following: assisting in classrooms; disaster services; food distribution; community-based mentoring and performing outreach at nonprofit organizations; and other community-based activities that serve veterans and military families. The primary focus area of this project is healthy futures/obesity and food and we plan to address food insecurity. At the end of the three-year grant, we anticipate that the 50 unduplicated rsvp volunteers will have been trained in assignments to increase community members? Access to healthy foods at the local senior centers and the food bank. Further, if needed, all volunteers will be trained to safely distribute bag/box food to be safely distributed to seniors. Like many other senior corps programs across the country, macon county rsvp will continue to focus on the six crucial service areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures and veterans and military families, in order to promote efficient partnerships and generate measurable outcomes. The corporation for national and community service (cncs) federal investment of $50,000 will be supplemented by $50,000 from macon county commission, rsvp's sponsoring agency, as well as $12,881 supplement from state and local governments. In addition, office space, utility cost, local travel and training will be provided by the macon county commission. Financial and in-kind support is provided also through other local, state, social, civic and non-profit agencies. Valid statistical data from the county census will be utilized to ensure that rsvp serves the entire geographic service area. Macon county commission is governed by five (5) elected individuals who assist rsvp with incorporating effective and practical approaches to ensure that community challenges are met and lives are improved by integrating skillful senior volunteer citizens.