Shiloh Church Provides ‘Breakfast With Seniors’

Story by Benia Jennings

Seniors have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Needing to exercise greater caution, contracting the virus is particularly dangerous to them. As a result, during this COVID-19 season, seniors are often lonely, sedentary and depressed. But this crisis created an opportunity.

The Shiloh Cincinnati church runs and operates Shiloh Adventist Gardens—a 64-unit senior living facility— and is always looking for opportunities to share the love of Christ and bring joy to an often-forgotten population. Last fall, the church brought breakfast and a smile to the residents. Shiloh member Amanda Smith organized the meal preparation and food delivery.

Residents were surprised, overwhelmed and overjoyed by the gesture, and appreciated that someone took the time to visit them. Property manager Daryl Foster says, “The residents of Shiloh Adventist Gardens Apartments enjoyed the delicious breakfast that was prepared just for them. One of my residents, Nancy O’Tool, has come by the office three times to say that she loved the breakfast, including the pumpkin pancakes. Another resident wanted to know if we had extra meals because she wants one more.”

Smith adds, “Although dealing with the reality of COVID-19 has created some distance between us, in many ways, it has certainly brought us together.”