Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Area Agency on Aging/Experience Inc. Executive Director Danelle Sowers accepts a check from Joe Rehe of Warren Firefighters Local No. 1835 from the proceeds of the firefighters’ annual Boot Drive. The 2021 drive will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today at the intersection of Liberty Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Warren.

Putting cash in the boot means putting food in front of local seniors.

The annual Warren Firefighters Local No. 1835 Boot Drive raised $6,684.45 in 2020 for the Experience Inc. nutrition program.

The 2021 drive starts at 8:30 a.m. today and runs until 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Liberty Street in Warren. The dollars will once again be steered to Experience Inc., according to firefighter Joe Rehe.

The concept is simple. Members of Local No. 1835 and representatives of Experience Inc. stand in the intersection. Anyone driving by that wants to make a donation reaches out the window and drops their money in a boot.

The process is simple, but the results are extraordinary.

“Since 2016, we’ve raised $31,638.34 for the Beaty Food Pantry and Experience Inc. just standing on that corner,” Rehe said. “It’s just for meals for seniors the last two years. We’re keeping everything right here.”

The dollars mean a lot to Experience and the seniors served.

“It’s invaluable to the program,” Executive Director Danelle Sowers said. “We take the money toward our nutrition program.”

The program provides delivered meals for homebound seniors and meals at congregate centers where seniors can come and eat. The costs of those meals averages out to about $7, including delivery, she said, so $35 feeds a senior for a week. The Boot Drive donation comes out to hundreds of weeks of meals.