Aging Arizonans Hungry for Connection

Over 66,000.  That’s roughly how many meals Shirley shared with the love of her life.  Until the day she didn’t.  

Shirley and her husband built and lived in their home together in Wickenburg until he passed away in 2020.  Living in a quiet house, Shirley missed the laughter that once filled her halls and was hungry for connection.  

“I had to get out with people.  I couldn’t sit at home depressed.” 

Shirley found her smile again with FSL 

After months of grief, Shirley saw that the FSL Wickenburg Senior Center needed volunteers.  The center held a special place in her heart – she and her husband often went to the center for lunch!  Their favorite days were when a local Wickenburg band would come to play country music; the two couldn’t help but dance.  

Today, Shirley volunteers at the center and is the first smiling face her neighbors see when they visit the center.  She collects the modest suggested fee for lunch and throws in some good conversation for free.  After a few weeks of volunteering, she realized the laughter in her life was back!  Now, Shirley is among our most valued volunteers in Wickenburg.  Every day she ensures our members receive the vital services they need while making a new friend in the process.  

As someone with diabetes, Shirley appreciates how FSL places health and wellness as a top priority.  Our staff prepares healthy and delicious meals based on the preferences of our guests.  Every day at 11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday, hot meals are served to all at the senior center – with fruits and vegetables at every meal!  

Since the pandemic began, there’s been a 47% increase in demand for the group meals served in the Wickenburg Senior Center.  And meals delivered to folks in their homes have gone up 59%.  

Your donations helped build the Wickenburg Senior Center Community.  Before, seniors like Shirley had meals alone and lacked socialization and motivation.  Here at FSL Wickenburg – we are just getting started.  

Luckily, Arizona makes it easy for you to help at no cost.  The state offers a charitable tax credit of up to $400 for single filers and up to $800 for married, joint filers when you give to FSL. 

A tax credit is better than a deduction because you can get every dollar of it back on your state tax bill.  And you get to decide where your tax money goes.  It’s a win-win! 

We can’t care for aging Arizonans without your generous support.  Will you please make a tax-credit-eligible gift to FSL today?