An Urgent Call to Stand With the Older Adult Community

As we enter the month of November, a season of reflection and gratitude, I want to share an important update that calls for our community’s compassion and collective action.

Effective today, federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are paused. This pause will deeply affect many older adults who live on fixed incomes and quietly carry the weight of financial struggle. PALM is responding swiftly, working in partnership with the MAHN Network, Garden Health Inc., the HealthSpark Foundation, elected officials, community leaders, and Places of Worship to ensure continued access to nutritious food for our seniors.

And we are also reaching out to you, our community partner, to stand with us in this effort. Together, we can make sure every older adult in our community has access to food, care, and dignity.

We will keep you informed of our progress and any updates as we move forward in this effort.

This is not simply a call for donations, it is a call for compassion. Many of our older adults came up during a time when they were taught never to speak about financial hardship. Today, we can honor them by ensuring they continue to live in dignity and never have to choose between a meal and other basic needs.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thanksgiving Dinner – Friday, November 21, 2025

PALM will host a catered Thanksgiving meal at the Center as we close out our final season in this location. PALM is proudly covering the cost in full to ensure our seniors can gather and give thanks together in dignity. Click here to register

Spirit of Philadelphia Lunch Cruise – Thursday, December 11, 2025

Cost is $82 for members and $87 for non-members. We invite community members to sponsor a senior who would like to attend this joyful holiday outing. Click here to register

How You Can Help

In support of older adults, PALM is covering the cost of the Thanksgiving Dinner as one way to celebrate gratitude and remind our members that your PALM family is here to celebrate the holidays with you, that you are loved, valued, and seen.

At the same time, we are asking the community to join us by sponsoring or donating to help sustain these efforts. Supporting this celebration or helping sponsor a senior for the Spirit of Philadelphia Holiday Cruise is a meaningful way to show that you care and to ensure every older adult in our community feels remembered and cherished this season.

We welcome all donations, whether you choose to:

• Support the Thanksgiving Dinner,
• Sponsor a Senior for the Spirit Cruise, or
• Make a General Donation to strengthen PALM’s food program.

Each contribution helps ensure that older adults continue to live with dignity, nourishment, and community connection. 

Click here to give today and show your support.

PALM has earned the trust of our community through consistent action and care. Together, we will continue to ensure that the unmet food needs of older adults are addressed with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to service.

🌟 Giving Tuesday – December 2, 2025 🌟

Giving feels good! This Giving Tuesday, share the joy by supporting PALM and the older adults who make our community shine. Remember, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Give as you are able—every gift helps spread love, hope, and connection.

💛 Give the gift of joy at www.palmseniors.org

Thank you for giving, believing in our mission, and for standing with us as we continue to serve, uplift, and nourish the older adults who depend on PALM every day.

With heartfelt thanks,

Dawn S. Allen

Dawn S. Allen, MHS

Executive Director

“We love you all, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it!"

- George Wallace

🕊️ In Memory of Dorothy Jones

Dorothy Jones was a beloved and long-standing member of PALM, whose presence brought joy, inspiration, and fellowship to all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

She faithfully shared her musical gift as a member of the PALM Choir, lifting her voice in song and bringing encouragement and joy to the community. Dorothy was also a devoted volunteer, instrumental in the success of PALM’s Food Cupboard, where she gave generously of her time and talents to serve others with compassion and dignity.

Her steadfast commitment to PALM’s mission and her dedication to the well-being of others reflected her deep love of community, her spirit of service, and her generosity of heart. Dorothy’s years of membership, service, and fellowship created a lasting impact on PALM and enriched the lives of all who knew her.

Dorothy’s presence will be deeply missed, but her light and love will continue to shine in the PALM family and in the community she served so faithfully.

Please keep the family of Dorothy Jones in your thoughts and prayers.

🕊️ In Loving Memory of Rodney “Bussy” Williams

Rodney “Bussy” Williams was a cherished member of the PALM family whose light touched everyone he met. His laughter, kindness, and joy for life filled our halls and hearts. Whether he was riding his bike to share PALM with the community, celebrating birthdays with cake, or lifting spirits through song and dance, Rodney reminded us all to live with gratitude and love.

We are so thankful for all the time we spent with Rodney. He never missed a trip, never missed an event, and he was always dressed to impress, dapper, kindhearted, and full of life. His big, beautiful smile lit up every room. Rodney was also a faithful supporter of the Birthday Party Club, often taking the initiative to purchase cakes out of his own pocket, giving purely from his heart.

His overwhelmingly joyful presence will be deeply missed. We are forever grateful to have had him in our lives, and his PALM family will always carry his memory with love and appreciation.

Please keep the Williams family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of remembrance.