SAN DIEGO, Oct. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Serving Seniors, a San Diego-based nonprofit helping older adults in poverty live fulfilling lives through health-promoting services, announced today that the organization was selected as Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins' 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year. The organization is being honored for its work in the San Diego community and ensuring that older Americans facing economic insecurity receive the care and support to lead healthy lives.
"This year has required us all to navigate unprecedented times, including our nonprofit partners whose missions are to meet the needs of those in our community who are most vulnerable," said Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego). "I am honored to recognize Serving Seniors with this award for all of its hard work this year, especially given that has quadrupled the amount of meals provided to our seniors during the pandemic. I applaud the impact this organization has in providing the means for seniors to live healthy lives, including an array of integrated health and social services."
Serving Seniors has been a staple in the San Diego community for over 50 years, providing nutritious meals for those facing food insecurity, health and social services and secure housing for seniors who are economically insecure. The organization focuses its efforts on those who are on the cusp of homelessness and makes sure that these seniors have a safe haven to make ends meet and lead a life of optimal health.
"We are honored that Serving Seniors was selected by Senator Atkins as a California Nonprofit of the Year," said Paul Downey, CEO of Serving Seniors. "Our staff, volunteers and community partners make all of our work possible and their dedicated support alongside Senator Atkins ensure that San Diego's most vulnerable population has a safety net."
To learn more about Serving Seniors Connections Program, please visit http://www.servingseniors.org.
About Serving Seniors
Founded in 1970, Serving Seniors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Diego, California, dedicated to serving low-income adults aged 60 and over. A leader in senior advocacy and programming, Serving Seniors has created an innovative model of comprehensive services including nutritional meals, housing, health and social services and lifelong learning opportunities to hundreds of seniors in need. It is the largest provider of meals to seniors in the county, and one of the only organizations in the nation providing such a robust range of services to vulnerable, at-risk older adults.
Serving Seniors President and CEO Paul Downey has been instrumental in the organization's growth over the past 25 years. Since being appointed the role in 1995, Downey has guided the nonprofit's innovative efforts to provide supportive services focused on keeping low-income seniors healthy and independent.
Additional Background
For the last five years, legislators from across California have chosen a Nonprofit of the Year in their district. Traditionally, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector Assemblywoman Monique Limón (Santa Barbara) and CalNonprofits invited legislators and honorees to a celebratory luncheon on California Nonprofits Day. This year, the June luncheon was canceled in response to the Shelter-in-Place orders, but legislators have moved forward with honoring nonprofits doing great work in their districts.
According to "Causes Count," a 2019 report commissioned by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is the 4th largest industry in the state, employing more than 1.2 million people. Each year, California nonprofits generate more than $273 billion in revenue and bring in $40 billion in revenue from outside of California. The unpaid labor contributed by volunteers at nonprofits is equivalent to 330,000 full-time jobs every year.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Denietolis
[email protected]
760-525-8857
Barbara Cosio Moreno
District Communications Manager, Office of Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins
[email protected]
SOURCE Serving Seniors
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