Prime Times Briefs

Drive-thru holiday dinner
        The Oregon Senior Center, located at 4350 Navarre Ave., will present a free drive-thru Holiday Member Dinner Thursday, Dec. 10 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
        Members must RSVP and have an invite from the center’s December newsletter. The dinner is also open to non-members, at a cost of $12.
        The menu includes chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, roll and butter and pumpkin pie. Reservations are required by Monday, Dec. 7. Call 419-698-7078 to make a reservation.
        Grab & go hot meals
        The center also offers grab & go hot meals Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m.-noon. The meals are available for a small donation to anyone 60 or older. Younger spouses are welcome; there is a mandatory fee of $5.61 for those under 60.
        Sign up 24 hours in advance. To make reservations or for more info, call 419-698-7078
 
Medicare 101
        The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs through Monday, Dec. 7.
        The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) is offering a series of Medicare 101 webinars through Dec. 7, with nine webinars offered weekly at different days and times.
        To register for an informational webinar, visit register.gotowebinar.com/rt/4987248812118591502. OSHIIP can also be reached on their hotline Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1-800-686-1578
        Visit the Wood County Committee on Aging’s YouTube channel to watch recorded presentation about Medicare 101. Visit YouTube.com and search Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc.
 
E. Toledo Senior Center offers lunches, programs
        The East Toledo Senior Center, located at 1001 White St., provides made-in-their-own kitchen lunches Monday-Friday.
        The lunches are available for “Grab & Go” or for home delivery. There is a suggested donation of $2.50. Reservations must be made the day before by 10 a.m. or on Friday for Monday. “Grab & Go” pickup is at 11:45 a.m. Reserve your lunches by calling 419-691-2254, ext. 202.
        The center also offers a range of programming via Facebook Live and Zoom.
        The current schedule includes:
        Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m. – Monday - Clean with Me; Tuesday - Let's Declutter; Wednesday - Anti Procrastination Day; Thursday - Pamper Yourself; Friday - Clean and Games.
        Zoom at 1:15 p.m. – Monday – Trivia; Tuesday - Game Time; Wednesday – Bingo; Thursday - Game Time; Friday - Game Time.
        A number of other monthly programs are offered as well, including Cooking Class, Shop with Me, Dream Travelers, Bible Study, Garage Sale, Craft Class, Book Club and more.
        Call 419-691-2254 for more info.
 
Holiday outreach program
        This holiday season, the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. (WCCOA) is holding its seventh annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Holiday Outreach Project, partnering with Wood County Job and Family Services.
        This project is intended to provide aid to applicants with gifts during the 2020 holiday season to help relieve the financial burden to grandparents raising grandchildren.
        A completed application must be submitted to determine eligibility. One application per household with grandchildren ages 0-17 will be considered annually. The deadline for applications is Friday, Dec. 4.
        For questions or to receive an application, contact the WCCOA Programs Department at 419-353-5661 or download an application at wccoa.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Grandparents-Raising-Grandchildren-2020.pdf.
        To purchase a gift for a child or make a monetary donation to the Holiday Outreach Project, contact WCCOA for more information.
 
Pet food assistance
        Great Lakes Community Action Partnership Meals on Wheels Loves Pets program knows that our seniors love their pets.
        The program allows GLCAP to help Sandusky County seniors keep their animal companions fed by providing home-delivered pet food purchased from local stores, or donated to the program by supporters.
        The program is available to Sandusky County seniors ages 60 and over. Pet food quantities are limited, and will be
available on a first-come, first-served basis.          
        While the program attempts to match preferred brands requested, food will be available based on supplies.
        For more information about the Meals on Wheels Loves Pets program or to donate, contact Program Planner Brenda Kuieck at 567-280-1190.
 
Prescription savings
        In partnership with United Way 2-1-1, FamilyWize, a free, pharmacy discount card program helped 4,515 individuals across Lucas, Ottawa and Wood counties save $300,043 on essential medications this year.
        “With Open Enrollment currently upon us, we know that individuals in our community are seeking health insurance services,” said Wendy Pestrue, president & CEO of United Way of Greater Toledo. “At United Way, we believe that every child, individual and family deserves access to high-quality healthcare. If a program like FamilyWize can reduce spending on incredibly expensive prescriptions, those dollars saved could help pay for other essentials, like groceries, rent or transportation.”
        In 2019, FamilyWize pharmacy discount cards assisted 5,536 individuals, totaling $378,122 in prescription savings. The most common age demographic enrolled for 2019 and 2020 is those 65 and older, closely followed by those 45 to 64 years old.
        Additionally, 2020 statistics show that 38 percent of prescriptions FamilyWize helped leverage are evenly split between medicine for mental health and heart disease. Diabetes, allergies/asthma and infections were also common prescription categories.
        To enroll in FamilyWize, reach out to United Way 2-1-1 by dialing two, one, one, text your ZIP code to 898-211 or visit www.211nwo.org to chat with a community resources advisor.
        United Way 2-1-1 is a free, 24/7, 365-day health and human services referral resource for anyone in Lucas, Ottawa and Wood county.
        FamilyWize’s pharmacy discount card program is available nationwide. There are no fees or eligibility requirements to apply. Once enrolled, recipients can print a physical discount card or display a digital card, via the FamilyWize app, at their local pharmacy. Simply show the card when picking-up a prescription and the lowest cost will be leveraged. FamilyWize is accepted at thousands of independently owned and nationwide chain pharmacies, such as CVS, Kmart, Rite-Aid, Walgreens and Walmart.