Started Because of COVID Pandemic
The guiding principles for the Mountain View Buddhist Temple include several closely held values that include Interdependence, Compassion and Community. With these values in mind, a Senior Care Package (SCP) program was initiated during the COVID pandemic to reach out to our seniors, 80 years young and above. These were the members of our Sangha Community who were most affected by the pandemic restrictions and potentially least able to connect with our ‘virtual’ community.
Senior Care Packages contain snacks, drinks, a letter from Rev. Mukojima, crossword puzzles, word searches, Sudoku and more.
Currently, we serve approximately 110 Seniors whose packages are either hand-delivered by our MVBT volunteers or in some cases sent through the mail. Often our Temple seniors look forward to a short chat and in-person communication with the Sangha Volunteers that deliver the package.
Funding for SCP
Initially, the Care Package Program was funded by donations from the Sangha Community. The Temple has been able to continue this outreach program even in the post-pandemic era.
Deliveries per Year
While originally the program was able to sponsor four deliveries a year, we are currently planning on two deliveries this year due to rising costs and fewer volunteers available to gather the items, put together the packages and deliver to our Senior community.
Thank You
Many thanks to Sharon Tsukahara, who has led the way on this project, as well as her procurement and packaging volunteers that include Leslie Imai, Debbie Ho, Tracey Mukoyama, Kia Yamamoto and Tami Fumoto.
And, thanks also go out to the roughly 30 volunteers who deliver these packages to our beloved seniors.
In deep appreciation for all the wonderful efforts of our Sangha,
Julie Satake Ryu
2025 MVBT President