WARREN — Local efforts are being made to ensure that senior citizens, disabled and homebound residents will have items for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

One of those efforts has been a senior citizen shoebox project.

Mike Wilson, executive director of SCOPE of Trumbull County, said recently efforts were made to fill shoeboxes for senior citizens with SCOPE working with the Youngstown Area Altrusa Club as part of “Thanks for Giving Project.”

Items also have come via Home Instead Senior Care as part of Be a Santa to a Senior.

Wilson said SCOPE provides services to 7,600 people who are senior citizens, disabled or homebound.

Since October items were collected at the SCOPE Center that the Altrusa Club could place into shoeboxes to be given to area senior citizens.

He said many people and organizations remember children at the holidays with Giving Trees, which is good but there also needs to be efforts to remember senior citizens.

“People are good to be thinking about others at the holidays. I wish it was year-round. We see our clients and ask them what their needs are,” Wilson said.

He said 300 people are being helped by the Altrusa Club and also 700 people by Home Instead Senior Care, which will wrap items donated in mid-December before delivery for Christmas.

Wilson said the SCOPE Center, 220 W, Market St., in Warren, has a collection box in the lobby for items if anyone wants to donate.

“We work with local nursing homes and health care centers and hear what seniors need. The SCOPE drivers who see the seniors see what they need and what they tell us they need and want,” Wilson said.

He said seniors and the homebound appreciate everything from alarm clocks, greeting cards, shampoo and lotion to blankets, pajamas and socks.

Wilson said seniors can use a variety of items with some asking for books of stamps, gift cards of $5 or more, adult coloring books, health and hygiene items, bottled water and picture frames.

“We wanted to be part of the effort to help make sure our seniors and homebound residents have items for the holidays. When people hear about and realize the needs of senior citizens and what is taking place they want to get involved,” Wilson said.

Wilson said there are also people who are homebound and disabled of all ages that also need to be remembered at the holidays.