The RSVP Center of Essex and Hudson Counties in collaboration with the Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services and Neighbor to Neighbor Network, is planning a disaster kit packing and distribution event where volunteers ages 55 and over will assemble disaster kits to assist seniors in Bloomfield and Glen Ridge in case of an emergency. RSVP is currently recruiting volunteers to participate in the event.

The event will take place on Tuesday, January 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Bloomfield Civic Center, located at 84 Broad Street in Bloomfield. Disaster kits will contain first aid items, can openers, toiletries, flashlights, water bottles, FEMA educational packets and other essentials that would be useful in the event of an emergency. Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt on the day of the event while supplies last and will have the benefit of learning how they can prepare for disasters while assembling the kits. Parking is available in the municipal lot behind the Civic Center and street parking is available on Broad Street.

RSVP mobilizes members of the community who are 55 years and older to give back to their own neighborhoods by matching individuals with local causes and projects. The RSVP Center of Essex and Hudson Counties is sponsored by Jewish Family Service of MetroWest. Individuals choose where to serve, how much time to give and whether they will share skills they already have or develop new ones. Volunteer activities include reading to children, visiting homebound adults, providing critical disaster preparedness, providing nonprofit clerical support and working in local soup kitchens and food pantries.

Please visit www.jfsmetrowest.org/rsvp for more information and to sign up or contact Stephanie Grove at 973-637-1766 or [email protected].