PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – The nonprofit Saving Our Seniors provides gently used medical equipment and a mobile food pantry to older adults in need around Tampa Bay. Founder Kelli Casto said it began in 2016, when she noticed a need during her work in occupational therapy.

What You Need To Know

  • Saving Our Seniors delivers gently used medical equipment to seniors in need

  • Equipment includes lift chairs, shower chairs, and wheelchairs

  • Clients are asked to contribute a donation that amounts to a discounted price on items
  • SOS also runs a mobile food pantry

"I was treating seniors on a daily basis and, you know, I would get them independent and then the social worker would come and tell me, 'Actually, none of that equipment is covered,'" Casto said of items seniors might need to help them out with daily life. "I was a different type of therapist, so I didn't take 'no' for an answer."

Casto began collecting medical equipment and storing it in her one-bedroom apartment. She outgrew that and now keeps donations in a storage space in Pinellas Park. Shelves are full of wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, and other items. Casto said word of mouth has fueled both item donations and requests from seniors. While she requests donations that she said amount to a discounted price of items, Casto said seniors won't be denied if they're unable to pay. She said the independence items provide can give a big boost to quality of life.

"A shower chair isn't just giving them the ability to shower," Casto said. "It's giving them the confidence, they're working on their personal hygiene, they feel better, so they want to go out."

Casto said she's doing most of the work for SOS, including making deliveries, on her own. She tells Spectrum News the nonprofit is in need of volunteers and financial donations. To learn more, visit: https://savingourseniors.org/