Worried that too many cash-strapped senior citizens in Bermuda are going hungry or malnourished, The Eliza DoLittle Society has just launched an adopt-a-senior-citizen programme to help.The programme is as simple as picking up an extra bag of groceries at the store or purchasing food vouchers for a senior citizen on a bi-weekly or monthly basis.“I don’t know the figures, but we know from talking to Age Concern and people at feeding centres that many senior citizens in Bermuda are living off of not much more than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” said Eliza Dolittle executive director Margaret Ward. “Sometimes the senior citizen doesn’t have the capacity to cook. Sometimes it is not the money so much as getting out and buying groceries or figuring out menus.“A large portion of Bermuda’s population is older. Many are becoming dependant on their already struggling family or are just retired and cannot make ends meet in this economy.”Through Age Concern and other helping charities, The Eliza DoLittle Society now has a list of about 20 seniors who need assistance.Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to people in need all over the Island, is assisting their efforts. Since the launch of the campaign on Wednesday they have found sponsors for about five seniors in need.The seniors receiving help from the programme remain completely anonymous. The adopter is only told whether the senior is male or female, and their dietary needs. The food or food voucher is dropped at a collection point and then distributed to the person in need. The collection points are located throughout the Island.“Many of the seniors we talk to are financially struggling or on a limited pension,” said Ms Ward. “This way, by someone adopting them for groceries, it means that they can get some of the perishable things they need such as milk, butter, eggs, and fresh fruits.“Today we had calls from two people willing to assist. One didn’t have transportation. She said she would take the groceries to her work and we said we would pick them up from there since it was near one of our collection points. The other person said they would buy food vouchers and give them to our programme. One person who wishes to help might only be able to afford $10 for milk and eggs. Other people might be able to afford larger quantities of stuff. Some older people don’t want a lot of groceries anyway. My father, who is in his 90s, gets very confused if there is food all over his fridge.”The Eliza DoLittle Society hoped that the adopt-a-senior programme would also have a good emotional impact on Bermuda’s seniors.“Having someone bring groceries to them makes them feel like someone cares while also helping their financial strain,” said Ms Ward. “Many of our seniors are simply lonely. This is a way to have contact, no matter how small, with the outside world.”The Eliza DoLittle Society hopes to initiate a second phase to the programme later on this year where willing sponsored seniors and their donors meet. Guidelines will be established to protect seniors’ privacy and safety.Seniors who are being helped have been vetted for financial need. Those who wish to benefit should call 238-7525. Persons interested in adopting a senior should telephone 333-4483.Follow Eliza DoLittle on Twitter or visit www.elizadolittle.bm.