SAFFORD — Seniors in Graham and Greenlee counties are being cared for thanks in large part to Freeport-McMoRan.
On Tuesday, Sean Wenham, manager of Strategic Community Development for Freeport, presented Southeastern Arizona Community Unique Services (SEACUS), with a check for $35,000 from the Freeport Community Investment Fund for Graham County.
Wenham said the funds will help SEACUS “offset rising costs associated with food, fuel and supplies, as well as uncertainty with federal funding.”
It’s just one example of Freeport’s commitment to the seniors of Graham and Greenlee counties. In December, Freeport presented SEACUS with a $15,000 grant from the Freeport Community Investment Fund for Greenlee County and, because SEACUS received the most votes through Freeport’s Voconiq Survey, Freeport allocated an additional $2,500 to the agency.
In addition, Freeport’s Safford operation sponsored seniors for Christmas, helping SEACUS deliver 155 gifts for the holidays. And Freeport-Safford purchased animals at the youth auction at the Graham County Fair, and donated beef, lamb and pork to SEACUS for congregate meals and the Meals on Wheels program.
“I just wish a lot more people actually knew that how invested they are here in our community; how much they actually do,” said Stephanie Nabor, executive director for SEACUS.
SEACUS operates the Senior Centers in Safford, Clifton and Duncan, which provides congregate meals as well as activities for senior residents. SEACUS also operates the Meals on Wheels program — delivering a freshly made, healthy made meal daily — to homebound seniors in both counties.
The 2023 Impact Report — the most recent report available — shows SEACUS served 30,450 home-delivered meals, provided 33,713 hours of attendant care, 168 hours of housekeeping, 1,098 hours of respite and distributed 68,900 pounds of food.
Editor’s note: Reporter David Bell is a SEACUS board member.
