Senior Assistance Center Luncheon

Every day we see things that we would like to change to make the world a better place. It just seems like life gets in the way sometimes, preventing us from fulfilling those wishes.

That’s not the case with Lily Morgan. In 1981, while attending Metro State, she saw the elderly digging in trash bins. She saw them sitting by the side of the road on benches because they had nothing to do. She saw them hesitating while trying to cross the street.

In fact, Lily relates a story:

“One day I was traveling down 13th Street. It was raining so hard. There was this enormous puddle in the middle of the street. And I saw this elderly man trying to cross the street, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t get past that big puddle. I knew I had to do something to help elderly people.”

And so Lily founded the Senior Assistance Center.

SAC Programs

Lily initially started the Senior Assistance Center (SAC) to help vulnerable senior citizens manage their daily lives. At the time, its approach to helping the elderly was unique in the Denver non-profit community.

SAC continued to expand over the years, adding assistance programs. Today they offer essential programs such as rental and utility assistance, clothing, bus tickets and medical equipment.

However, they also aim to improve quality of life with such programs as the Art Reach Program. Cultural organizations donate tickets to art, community and cultural events. SAC helps distribute such tickets among their clientele.

Perhaps one of the most appreciated programs is the Food Bank. Seniors get the opportunity to select from food necessities such as dairy products, meat, produce and dried goods. SAC has also started a mobile food bank that travels to senior living centers. For some, the food bank saves them from going hungry.

Through the Eyes of a Senior Luncheon

The Senior Assistance Center does not receive government funding. It is strictly run through donations and fundraising.

The fourth annual Through the Eyes of a Senior Luncheon took place at the Mariott Denver Tech Center on Thursday, May 8th, as a benefit for SAC.

As part of the luncheon, John and Nancy Ross were honored with the Philanthropy Award due to their generous donations. They were unable to attend, so Lily accepted on their behalf: