Area Agency on Aging selected as Winn-Dixie Community Bag Program beneficiary

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. - June 6, 2019 - PRLog -- The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) has been selected as the June beneficiary of the Winn-Dixie Community Bag Program. AAASWFL will receive a $1 donation every time a $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased this month at the North Fort Myers Winn-Dixie, unless otherwise directed by the customer.  The North Fort Myers Winn-Dixie is located at 5660 Bayshore Rd., in the Foxmoor Plaza.

The Winn-Dixie Community Bag Program is a charitable giving program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work.  The Community Bag Program launched in February 2019.  AAASWFL was selected as the June beneficiary of the program by store leadership.

"We were pleased to find out that our neighborhood Winn-Dixie selected us for this new program," said Kirsten O'Donnell, Director of Communications and Outreach for AAASWFL. "Any donations we receive from the Community Bag Program will go towards our Agnes Laitinen Unmet Needs Fund."

Named after a benefactor, this fund provides a lifeline to seniors in crisis when government, grant, or community funds are not an option. Recent recipients include a Lee County senior who was unable to pay his water bill because of unexpected and very expensive automobile repairs.  The man, who also has a disability, had attempted to obtain assistance from other programs, but did not qualify for various reasons.  Funds from the AAASWFL Agnes Laitinen Unmet Needs Fund were used to pay the delinquent water bill and ensure that he was able to continue living safely and independently at home.

Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organization serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota Counties. The organization is committed to connecting older adults (ages 60 and over) and people with disabilities to resources and assistance for living safely with independence and dignity.

AAASWFL offers numerous programs to achieve this mission, including the Elder Helpline, health and wellness initiatives, SHINE Medicare Counseling, and elder abuse prevention and education programs.  AAASWFL is also the state's designated Aging and Disability Resource Center for Southwest Florida, and conducts the state's assessments for government-funded home and community based services.

More information is available by calling the AAASWFL Elder Helpline at 866-413-5337 (41-ELDER) or by visiting the Agency's website at https://www.aaaswfl.org.

To learn more about the Winn-Dixie Community Bag Program, visit https://seg.bags4mycause.com.