GECAC Greater Erie Community Action Committee

GECAC Produce Program at the Bayfront Convention Center Erie seniors can pick up vouchers today from GECAC’s Area Agency on Aging to help with grocery bills through Pennsylvania’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program at the Bayfront Convention Center

You missed the rush! There's still time to get your Senior Farmers' Market Vouchers at the Bayfront Convention Center today until 3 PM.

Stop by to pick up your vouchers and use them to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables from participating farmers' markets.

These vouchers help support healthy eating while connecting seniors with local farmers and fresh seasonal produce.

Don't miss out on this valuable benefit. We look forward to seeing you at the Bayfront Convention Center!

For eligibility requirements and distribution details, visit our website at https://www.gecac.org/work/aging/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program

Are you 55+, looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? You are invited to attend a free informational luncheon to learn about the Classroom Foster Grandparent Program and how it can make a difference in the lives of students in the North East and Northwestern School Districts.

Sponsored by GECAC, the luncheons will provide an overview of the Classroom Foster Grandparent Program, which connects adults with students who need extra academic, emotional, and social support. Foster Grandparents serve as mentors, role models, and caring companions in the elementary schools.

Attendees will enjoy a complimentary meal while learning about volunteer opportunities, program benefits, hourly stipend, eligibility requirements, and the positive impact Foster Grandparents have on students throughout the community.

Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP by July 10th by calling Karen Hund at 814-459-4581 ext. 455 or emailing [email protected].

For more information about the Foster Grandparent Program, visit https://www.gecac.org/work/aging/foster-grandparents

Ageism affects millions of older adults every day through stereotypes, discrimination, and misconceptions about aging. These attitudes can impact opportunities, health, well-being, and quality of life.

This World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we encourage everyone to challenge age-related stereotypes and recognize the value, wisdom, and contributions that older adults bring to our families, workplaces, and communities.

Respecting and including older adults is everyone's responsibility. By speaking up against ageism and treating people of all ages with dignity and respect, we can help build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Together, we can end ageism and create a world where every person is valued, regardless of age.

Financial exploitation is one of the fastest-growing forms of elder abuse, and it takes all of us working together to prevent it.

Join the PA Investor Protection Network Symposium on:
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Erie Yacht Club

This FREE informative event is designed for professionals and volunteers who work with older adults and want to learn about current fraud trends, intervention strategies, and community resources.

Hear from experts representing the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Erie County District Attorney's Office, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, and more.

A complimentary lunch will be provided, and attendees will have the opportunity to network with professionals across the legal, financial, and social service sectors to strengthen protections for older adults in our community.

Space is limited. To register, email Pasquale Casane, GECAC Area Agency on Aging, at [email protected], or call 814-459-4581 ext. 516.

Together, we can help prevent elder financial exploitation and protect the older adults we serve.

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a day dedicated to raising awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults.

This year, we are highlighting the growing threat of financial scams targeting older adults. Scammers often prey on trust, loneliness, and life transitions to steal money and personal information from seniors.

You can help protect the older adults in your life by:
• Talking openly about common scams
• Encouraging caution with unsolicited calls, emails, and texts
• Checking in regularly with older family members, friends, and neighbors
• Reporting suspected fraud or elder abuse

Together, we can help older adults stay safe, informed, and financially secure.

Thank you to our partners Erie Federal Credit Union, Widget Financial, and Marquette Savings Bank for helping raise awareness about this important issue.

Calling all seniors in Erie County! Join us for our next Senior Meet Up on June 15th. Each month, GECAC brings seniors together to connect, make new friends, try new restaurants, and enjoy a fun outing.

We are meeting at Sara's Restaurant this month at Presque Isle (weather permitting). Enjoy homemade onion rings, homemade zucchini sticks, char-grilled hot dogs, and mouth-watering burgers. Don't forget your milkshake or their famous orange sherbet /vanilla twist soft serve.

To RSVP, please call Mason Reininger, Tri-Boro Senior Center Director, at 814-474-2211.

We hope to see you there!

Don’t let scammers catch you off guard. Join us for Scam Jam, an interactive workshop designed to help you recognize scams, protect your personal information, and stay safe from fraud.

Learn about:
• Common phone, email, and online scams
• Warning signs to watch for
• Tips to protect your finances and identity
• What to do if you think you’ve been targeted

Join us on June 23rd at the Union City Senior Center.

This event is open to all older adults. Register today to learn practical tools to avoid becoming a victim.

On Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication will never be forgotten.

As we gather with family and friends this Memorial Day, we pause to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday and express our gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

From all of us at GECAC, we wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.