It’s that time of year when giving comes in all forms. People give gifts, give of their time, and share their financial resources with those in need. When you give time, talent or treasure to REAL Services, you are connecting with your community, in a meaningful way. It’s knowing that your support provides essential services to our neighbors and friends who are most vulnerable.

When it comes to caring for those in your community, what matters to you? Is it staying warm in the frigid winter months? How about having a hot meal? Perhaps it’s the ability to make it to a doctor’s appointment across town safely? Maybe it’s a sense of independence where seniors have the knowledge and resources to live independently with dignity in their homes? Or maybe, you are a caregiver in need of support to continue to provide for your loved one?

If any of these situations speak to you, consider Giving Something REAL!

 Caregiver Support. REAL Services offers informative resources and training for caregivers committed to serving those in need. It can be a significant time commitment to care for family or community members in need. REAL Services is dedicated to ensuring that such selfless caregivers have access to the support they need to continue offering compassionate care.

Community Action. REAL Services’ Community Action programs help individuals and families understand and effectively manage their finances. The unpredictable nature of life can wreak havoc on those without access to unlimited resources: disease, job loss, and a variety of other changes can occur without warning and cause financial strain, and families are not always able to navigate such unexpected hits their savings without assistance.

Household Assistance. REAL Services assists low-income households with electric and heating expenses during the winter months. Through REAL Services’ household assistance programs, we’re able to assist low-income households with electric and heating expenses during the winter months, rental assistance for those adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and weatherization services to better prepare homes for the winter season.

Meals and Nutrition. Through its Meals on Wheels program, REAL Services provides nutritious meals five days a week to neighbors in need. REAL Services and our team of generous volunteers deliver meals in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties to our neighbors 60 years of age or older who can neither prepare adequate meals for themselves nor have meals prepared for them. This program serves thousands in our community in great need, and it is essential in providing nourishment—helping clients to remain healthy, reducing hospital stays, and promoting faster healing.

Transportation. REAL Services provides seniors with transportation for more than 14,000 trips to medical appointments and other important needs. Staff members may transport older adults to doctor and banking appointments, Medicaid and Social Security offices, the grocery store, and other places they cannot reach on their own. Hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays.

Catering. Simply Catering to You offers robust catering options for large groups and gatherings while supporting access to healthy living. The best part? 100% of our profit funds Meals on Wheels, a program that provides nutritious meals five days a week to members of our community who are in need. Have your holiday gathering catered and help an important cause. It’s a win-win!

Large or small, your donation will enable REAL Services to keep fighting for the independence, dignity, and strength of seniors and families in our community.