Noteworthy

The Tulsa Area United Way and LIFE Senior Services are joining forces on 2020's final Day of Caring October 9 to collect non-perishable food items to “Fill the Pantry” of low-income senior housing communities in Tulsa and the surrounding area.

According to the Meals on Wheels website, 7.1 million seniors live in poverty on an income of $234 a week or less. After housing, utilities and medical expenses, very little is left for food. "Food insecurity has always been an issue for older adults with lower incomes. COVID-19 has made the problem worse,” said Eileen Bradshaw, president and CEO of LIFE Senior Services.

“We are excited to partner with the United Way on this event and to hopefully fill some of that need in the greater Tulsa area. Our goal is to fill the pantries of 17 apartment communities that are home to more than 700 low-income older adults.”

The event is designed to be drive-thru so people will not need to leave their cars. LIFE staff and volunteers will be following COVID-19 safety procedures including wearing masks. Each driver is also asked to wear a mask.

Suggested food donations include canned tuna and chicken, canned fruits and vegetables (single-serve preferred); non- or low-sugar cereals; instant oatmeal; non-refrigerated pudding and Jello cups; peanut butter and jellies; rice, pasta and pasta sauces.

5950 East 31st St., Tulsa 74135

2602 W. Oakland Pl., Broken Arrow 74012

315 S Birch St., Jenks 74037

LIFE Senior Services will hold two nocontact drive-thru events to safely notarize absentee ballots for the November 3 presidential election. Because of COVID-19 and the high voter turnout that is expected, LIFE Senior Services strongly encourages older adults to vote by absentee ballot through the mail.

At the end of August, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt extended the State of Emergency due to COVID-19 which automatically kicked in the special absentee ballot provisions for the November 3 election. After you complete your paper

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is holding Rx Take Back events at locations throughout the greater metro area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, October 24. Clean out your medicine cabinet and safely dispose of your unused, expired and unneeded prescriptions at any of the locations below. • News On 6 – 303 N. Boston Ave. • Reasor’s Foods – 7114 S. Sheridan, 3915 S. Peoria and 4904 E. 41st St. • Walgreens – 1438 N. Lewis Ave.

ballot, it must be either notarized or mailed in with a copy of your Oklahoma driver’s license or your voter registration card. Because of the risk of stolen mail and identity theft, LIFE encourages older adults to have their absentee ballots notarized. Your bank or tag agency should be able to notarize your ballot at no charge. Or, LIFE Senior Services is offering free drive-thru notary services for you.

LIFE’s drive-thru notary services will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 13 –15 and 20 – 22 at LIFE’s Senior Center at Southminster. Volunteer notaries wearing masks and gloves will be at the Southminster porte-cochere one block west of Peoria on East 35th Place.

Now is the time to apply for an absentee ballot. If you have questions about voter registration or absentee ballots, or would like assistance applying for an absentee ballot, call LIFE's SeniorLine at (918) 664-9000.

Once the ballot is notarized, it must be either hand-delivered by you no later than Monday, November 2 or mailed and received by your County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on November 3 when the polls close. It’s a good idea to mail your ballot at least one week in advance of the election. The Tulsa County Election Board is located at 555 N. Denver Ave. in Tulsa. For more information about voting in the

November 3 election, see page 7.

3495 S. Sheridan Rd.

100 E. Broadway St. in Sand Springs

In 2019, the October Take Back Day brought in almost 442 tons of unused or expired prescription medication and vape devices nationally. In Oklahoma, 2,194 pounds were collected by 28 law enforcement agencies at 34 different sites. The DEA reports that proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment. Many communities prohibit residents flushing medicines down the sink or toilet out of concern over the trace levels of drug residues found in rivers, lakes and community drinking water supplies.

If you’d like to volunteer at one of the local drop-off sites, contact GaryAnn at RSVP at garyann@rsvptulsa.org.