Coping with a full-on pandemic? Unimaginable. But it hasn’t stopped LBFE from doing what we always do—being there, every day, for our elders.
This Special Issue captures just some of LBFE’s life in the pandemic—and how we are staying safe and connected. Our own We Care / We’re Careful campaign promoted the safety and well-being of our elders, volunteers, and staff. Traditional events and visits stopped this spring, but we quickly turned to other connections.
Thanks to our volunteers, we’re visiting elders by phone with a record-breaking 800 calls per week, mailing hundreds of cards and letters, and doubling our drop offs of monthly Food Bags and emergency supplies.
We still found a way to bring the spirit of summer to our elders, and we’re already planning to absolutely, though differently, celebrate the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. As our Board Chair Michael Melinger says, our work is even more important now than ever before.
Following heartbreaking events in our country and city, we joined with our Black and Brown elders, and our entire LBFE community, to denounce systemic racism and reaffirm our dedication to individual respect and dignity.
We’re not stopping, and we’re grateful for each one of you who stand with us. We offer our sincere thanks for supporting and joining us, and for caring so deeply about our elders.
Simone Mitchell-Peterson
Chief Executive Officer