Northside News

Bingo: Friday, Dec. 11 only, 1‒2 pm. Join us for Zoom Bingo with caller Diana D. Registration for Bingo: Visit the NewBridge website (newbridgemadison.org) for information on how to get your Bingo cards and a link to the Zoom Invite. You must register one week in advance to get your cards on time.

Book Club: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1‒2 pm. Join us for our monthly book club. We will be discussing “The Bean Trees” by Barbara Kingsolver. Registration for Book Club: Contact Deenah: 608-512-0000, ext. 3002.

Collage for the Soul: Tuesdays, Dec. 3, 10, 17, 10:30‒11:30 am. These are the last three classes of this six-week course that is a collaboration with Arts for All. Artist Patrizia will lead us through the process of discovering our inner artist by creating a collage. Supplies are included. Registration for Collage for the Soul: Visit the NewBridge website (newbridgemadison.org) for information on how to register and receive your art supplies.

Easy Yoga Plus Zoom Classes with Ellen Millar: Wednesdays at 10 am and Fridays at 1 pm. Join longtime yoga teacher Ellen Miller for this very popular class. She will gently take you through a series of exercises that can be done standing or from a chair. Check it out. Registration for Yoga: Registration is required. For details and to register, visit Ellen’s website (thewonderofyoga.com). Donations are appreciated.

Hump Day Coffee Talk with Ruth and Deenah: Wednesdays, Dec. 2 and 16, 10:30‒11:15 am. Brew a cup of coffee or tea and join us for a chat from the comfort of your own home. You’ll hear about the latest NewBridge happenings, and we want to hear from you. Come prepared to share what you’ve been up to during quarantine. We are always open to hearing about programs you are interested in having NewBridge offer. Registration for Hump Day Coffee Talk:Visit the NewBridge website (newbridgemadison.org) for a link to the Zoom invite. 

Senior Stretch and Strength: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9‒10 am. This very popular Zoom class offers one-hour gentle stretch and strength-building with Becky Ott-Forde. Join her from the comfort of your own home and get active weekly. Registration for Senior Stretch and Strength: Visit the NewBridge website (newbridgemadison.org) for a link to the Zoom invite.

Spirit and Strength: Seniors Sharing Wisdom In Troubled Times: Tuesdays, 1‒2:30 pm. Join Pam Philips Olson, writer, storyteller and author of the book “Lechayim Lunch: Ingredients for a Good Life,” as we learn to speak our truth through telling our own stories.  Registration for Spirit and Strength:Visit the NewBridge website (newbridgemadison.org) for a link to the Zoom invite. 

Tech Assistance with Zoom: If you would like to learn more about Zoom and already know how to access Zoom, or if you want to learn more about your iPhone, iPad or tablet via Zoom, contact Deenah G. at 608-512-0000 ext. 3002 to set up an appointment. Registration for Tech Assistance: By appointment only. 

By Karl Riley
RSVP of Dane County

The Food Bridge program needs volunteers to shop for food pantry groceries and deliver them to low-income, homebound older adults living in Madison and Monona. Food Bridge is a NewBridge program in partnership with The River Food Pantry and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dane County. 

Food Bridge volunteers are paired with seniors to deliver groceries to them on a monthly basis. Participating seniors have been identified as those who are affected by food insecurity. According to NewBridge, there are over 2,500 older adults in Madison and Monona who are at nutritional risk and/or qualify for FoodShare. This number is on the rise. 

Mileage reimbursement is available to Food Bridge volunteers at 57.5 cents per mile.

There are currently seniors waiting to be matched with volunteers. If you are interested in learning more, contact Mary Schmelzer at 608-411-7896 or mschmelzer@rsvpdane.org, or contact David Wilson at 608-512-0000 ext. 2006 or DavidW@newbridgemadison.org. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, NewBridge had to drastically shift gears to ensure the essential needs of older adults were being taken care of during this crisis. NewBridge has responded thanks in large part to many of you. A special thank you to all who have contributed financial donations and to those who have volunteered during this stressful time to help support older adults on the Northside and throughout Madison and Monona.

During the past seven months, NewBridge has provided:

• Over 23,000 nutritious meals for older adults in partnership with the Dane County Area Agency on Aging, Esquire Club, LJ’s and FEED Kitchens;
• Over 1,000 food boxes to homebound older adults in collaboration with The River Food Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul, Transit Solutions, United Way of Dane County and many amazing volunteers; and
• Over 600 essential household supply kits to homebound older adults in collaboration with Transit Solutions and the Madison Community Foundation.

NewBridge has responded to over 2,000 help line calls from older adults dealing with crises related to COVID-19. We started a Bridge Buddy program of volunteers to contact older adults who lack others to talk to during the pandemic. NewBridge is now providing weekly virtual programing, using Zoom, in place of in-person programming.

Unfortunately, the need for meals, food boxes and other supplies will likely continue well into 2021. The winter months are especially difficult for older adults not wanting to venture out in the snow or bitter cold. NewBridge will continue to direct our resources to meet the COVID-related needs of older adults and will gladly accept any help (financial and/or volunteerism) you can provide. Please visit our website (newbridgemadison.org) to find out ways you can help.

Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season from NewBridge.