Senior Friendship Centers distributed over 250 "Holiday Healthy at Home Gift Bags" to homebound seniors in Charlotte and Desoto counties. The bags, containing necessities like shampoo, laundry detergent, blankets, and toothpaste, aim to address essential needs during the holiday season. Senior Friendship Centers’ Nutrition Program – which provides meal deliveries to homebound seniors – started the program in 2017 to address the overlooked challenges that older adults face.  “Many seniors live on fixed incomes, making essential items like laundry detergent a luxury,” says Debra Bragg, Nutritional Services Director. She adds, “This program was born out of the desire to bring comfort and joy to their lives, especially during the holiday season.” According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 1 in 4 seniors won't see family around the holidays and more than one in 10 report experiencing extreme loneliness this time of year.  Nutrition Services Regional Manager Dave Maselli notes, “For most clients, we are the only face that they see. Witnessing the joy on their faces when they receive these gifts is truly invaluable.” Antoinette S, a recipient shares, “If not for this holiday gift bag, I wouldn’t have any gift to open on Christmas morning. It warms my heart to know there are people who genuinely care.” Donations from local residents and community partners, including North Hillsborough Baptist Church, Catholic Charities of Desoto, Social Services of Desoto, Aetna, and St. Andrews Episcopal Church, were packed and delivered by Senior Friendship Centers staff and volunteers. The project was sponsored by Aetna Medicare Solutions and Millennium Physicians Group.