Seniors share Christmas spirit at Catholic luncheon

In the spirit of Christmas, parishioners of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro sponsored lunch for over 100 senior citizens Wednesday, including Adult Protective Services (APS) clients of Clayton County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

“The church hosts a lunch twice a year for our adult clients,” says Angie Tomkins, social services caseworker. “It helps us get senior citizens out of the house to socialize with other people.”

The Adult protective Services division of DFCS protects citizens 65 years of age and older, as well as those with disabilities, from neglect and abuse. APS averages 45 to 50 ongoing cases per month.

“Our adult clients are often elderly citizens who either cannot take care of themselves very well, or spend a lot of time alone because they don't have family nearby,” says Anna Greene, social services caseworker. “We do occasionally have cases of abuse or financial exploitation by a family member, but many of the adults we work with primarily need assistance with transportation and human interaction.”

After the Christmas lunch, seniors played several games of bingo and won a variety of prizes, including personal care goody bags donated by children attending St. John the Evangelist School.

As an added treat, a group of parishioners who work for The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a nonprofit organization that works through the Catholic church to provide food for the poor, presented senior adults with bags of food to carry home.

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