An award given to the Shenango Valley Chapter of AARP helped the Community Food Warehouse of the Shenango Valley in Farrell.

Floy Moreira, director of the Shenango Valley Senior Community Center, nominated the local retired persons chapter for the Make a Difference Award through the Pennsylvania Association of Senior Centers.

When Mrs. Moreira got the form to nominate a group for the award she said, "Wow, we have a group here that has done some wonderful things for us here."

Mrs. Moreira said the president of the AARP, Maurice Keaveny, asked if the group could hold its monthly meetings at the center in Hermitage and since then, members have offered "invaluable" assistance. AARP members have volunteered to help people complete their tax returns and rent and tax rebate forms; have assisted at health fairs, open houses, weekly blood pressure screenings, flu shot clinics and a number of other event, Mrs. Moreira said.

Along with the award, the chapter received $500. Keaveny said members decided to give the money to the food warehouse because so many families need help and most local food pantries have been running low on supplies.