Rivergate Complex donates food to Downriver for Veterans

On March 8, Rivergate Health Care Center and Rivergate Terrace answered the call to help provide for local veterans’ needs.

Downriver for Veterans, a non-profit serving local veterans, steamed on Facebook Live reaching out to the community to say that the food pantry supplies and funds were dwindling. The organization was founded by veteran Ann Rudisill and helps get veterans to and from doctors’ appointments, pay electric bills and rent, obtain groceries and even order new teeth for veterans who need it.

Associates from Rivergate Complex, made up of both Life Care buildings, wanted to do something to help.

“The board and myself were elated when Tracy Wiggins from Rivergate Terrace reached out to me letting me know that the campus was going to partner together to raise food donations for our vets,” said Ann. “When I arrived to pick them up, all I could say was, ‘Wow!’ I did not expect for there to be so much.”

Rivergate Complex donated 21 boxes of food items, which fed 26 families the next day.

Tracy, admissions assistant at Rivergate Terrace, and Bethany Reames, admissions assistant for the campus, shared: “What started off as a small fundraiser to give back to this organization got our staff at both facilities excited to get involved for a great cause, while in return giving them the chance to win fun raffle baskets of their choice that showed our appreciation for the hard work and care they give our residents every single day.”

Veteran Michelle Peeper, executive director at Rivergate Health Care Center, shared, “After this long, difficult year, this brought the Rivergate family back together with our community.”