VITA Tax Program — The Allegheny Community Center has announced that the VITA Tax Program has been canceled for all VITA sites in Warren and Forest counties due to closures as recommended by the governor.

All senior centers in Warren and Forest counties continue to be closed for public programming while the counties are in the yellow phase. This also includes no availability for in-person assistance to complete Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications.

Consumers may go to www.irs.gov for free federal tax software for online filing or they may download forms for filing paper copies themselves. PA income tax forms are available at https://www.revenue.pa.gov/FormsandPublications.

PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate forms are available at Experience, Inc., the Warren-Forest Area Agency on Aging (814-723-3763) or in the lobby of the Allegheny Community Center, 42 Clark Street, in Warren. You can also access them online at https://www.revenue.pa.gov/FormsandPublications.

Warren Gives — The Allegheny Community Center remains open to provide meals and safety phone calls to seniors in our area. Every donation made on May 20 through the Warren Gives event counts and will help senior citizens. Donations of cash or checks can also be made if you don’t want to donate online. Just send your check to the ACC before May 20 to go toward the total.

The Allegheny Greenhouse, located on the Warren State Hospital Grounds, is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until May 23.

Farmer Market Voucher Program Changes — 2020 application forms for vouchers are available online at www.AlleghenyCommunityCenter.com, under the News tab for the May newsletter, which includes the form, or call the Allegheny Community Center (814-723-3237) to have one mailed to you. There will be no in-person voucher clinics this year. Vouchers will be mailed back once you mail or email them in. To qualify for vouchers, you must be 60 or older (or turn 60 by Dec. 31) and meet the household income guidelines of $23,606 for one person in the household, or $41,894 for two people in the household.

Warren/Forest Senior Games — the Games, which are usually held in June, have been canceled for the year.

US Census — Funding support for older senior adult services over the next 10 years is determined, in part, by the statistics produced by the Census Bureau. In turn, federal, state, and local funding entities examine census data to justify increasing funding that helps to support a wide variety of necessary senior social service programs.

Experience, Inc. — your local Agency on Aging — is a non-profit organization and relies on donations as well as federal, state, and local funding to help provide critical services to an ever-increasing senior population in our rural communities of Warren and Forest counties. As a growing population of older adults age into needing services, the already strained budgets that provide critical social services are not able to meet the rising demand.

Your response to the Census 2020 makes a difference to your community and to every senior in Pennsylvania.

When it becomes safe to do so, the senior centers will offer internet availability to complete your Census information online. Or, if you need help filling out your 2020 Census, call Experience toll-free at 1-844-330-2020.

Community Needs Assessment — If you would like to participate in the Experience, Inc., the Warren/Forest Area Agency on Aging, 2020 Community Needs Assessment for Older Adults, go to www.alleghenycommunitycenter.com and click on the News tab for the May newsletter, which includes the assessment.

Local Senior Centers – In light of the recent events due to the COVID-19 virus, Experience, Inc., our local Area Agency on Aging, is committed to helping our senior population in Warren and Forest counties stay well and safe.

Staff is calling participants to check in on them to ascertain what needs they may have. Senior centers in both counties are closed to the public for programming until we go to the ‘green’ phase.

Food Resources — Local food pantries in our area include:

The Salvation Army, 311 Beech St., Warren, phone (814) 723-8950;

Nazarene Food Pantry, (814) 723-3960;

Grace UM Church Food Pantry, (814) 723-9440;

First United Methodist Church Food Pantry, (814) 723-4930;

Sugar Grove Food Ministry, 210 Jamestown St., (814) 489-3105;

Sheffield Food Pantry, call the Methodist Church at (814) 968- 5222;

St. Joe’s Soup Kitchen is open for take-outs, call (814) 723-2090.

Some local restaurants are offering curbside pick-up for your convenience.

Groceries — Walmart is offering curbside pick-up, 2901 Market St, Warren, (814) 641-1410; Aldi’s and Tops in Warren are offering home-delivery, but you have to order online; Kondak’s Market in Clarendon (723-9869) delivers in both counties, but there is a delivery charge based upon where person lives.

Congregate meals for adults ages 60 and over will be available for takeout from noon until 2 p.m. Thursdays only from your local senior center. Reservations must be made before noon on Monday of each week in order to receive the Thursday meals. These meals will come frozen and packaged in a bundle of five meals for your convenience. If you are not able to go to your center to pick up your congregate meals, call the ACC to inquire about receiving them at your home. For this meal service related to senior centers, call the Allegheny Community Center at (814) 723-4180.

For home-delivered meals, call Experience, Inc. at (814) 723-3763, extension 139 or 122; or 1-800-281-6545 for those who do not have long-distance calling.

Experience, Inc. — Experience Inc., the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), continues to operate and provide critical services to the older adults of Warren and Forest counties.

While the main office and all area senior centers are closed to the public, the AAA remains committed to our senior population. They are currently unable to come to people’s homes or have them in our office, but staff is available to answer questions or to help if someone is in need of our programs and services. They will do everything that they can to meet consumer needs over the phone.

Call the Area Agency on Aging at (814) 723-3763. If you already have a case worker, dial their extension, leave a voice mail, and they will return your call.

Established in 1968, Experience, Inc., the Area Agency on Aging, is dedicated to meeting the needs of senior citizens of Warren and Forest counties. Experience, Inc. is a nonprofit company. It offers a wide variety of programs and services created for seniors to enhance their quality of life.

Their services are designed with your long-term independence in mind. Their professional staff is here to help, plan, and coordinate your care.

Here is an explanation of the services provided by Experience, Inc., your area agency on aging:

APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help all Pennsylvanians with Medicare. Counselors are specially-trained staff and volunteers who can answer your questions about Medicare and provide you with objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare. This service is free.

Questions? Call 1-800-281-6545 or (814) 723-3763, ext. 123.

Forest County residents: Call the number above to schedule appointments in Marienville and Tionesta. Continue to watch the Forest Press for dates and places, or call the toll free number, 1-800-281-6545, for more information and to schedule an appointment.

IN-HOME CARE SERVICES — A professional Care Management staff provides service coordination care through an assessment plan of your needs.

FAMILY CARE GIVER SUPPORT– Families are the major provider of long-term care, but research has shown that caregiving exacts a heavy emotional, physical, and financial toll. Experience, Inc. provides programs and services that can help by providing respite care and financial reimbursement for those who qualify.

HOME DELIVERED MEALS –As mentioned above, meals are delivered to older adults, those with disabilities, or anyone who qualifies by the inability to prepare a nutritious meal for themselves.

PERSONAL CARE AND HOME SUPPORT — Personal Care Services provides “hands-on” care in the home to individuals 60+ who are unable to independently meet their personal hygiene needs or perform activities of daily living.

PERSONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM– The Personal Emergency Response System or PERS is a home device that connects older adults to a 24-hour call center with the push of a button.

SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTERS– Experience, Inc. provides community supports in centers throughout Warren and Forest counties — Nutrition and health programs, socialization, education and personal growth, care management for aging services, and volunteer opportunities.

For more information about these services, call Experience, Inc. at (814) 723-3763, ext. 139.