The Butler County Area Agency on Aging prepared its clients for this week’s snowstorm.

In the weeks prior to Winter Storm Izzy, the agency packed “snowy day boxes” that were distributed to senior citizen clients in case of emergency.

“We had boxes packed, so they had stable food,” said Beth Herold, agency director. “We have done them the past six or seven years.”

Although the agency was closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Herold said some staff members were available in case a senior citizen called in with an emergency.

Herold also said the boxes filled with non-perishable food items are one way the government agency helps county seniors in emergencies. In the past, Herold said the agency has also distributed “sunny day boxes” for hot days, and the staff has responded to power outages or loss of heat in a residence by setting up shelters.

“If we did get reports of power outage, we would look at getting a shelter ready,” Herold said. “We have some safe space organizations that will help if there is a situation. Sometimes our staff will even go out, and sometimes we have community service individuals.”

The county recently purchased a facility on North Duffy Road, which will house the Agency on Aging office and be a senior center. Herold said the location of the new facility will be an asset for the agency for emergency situations.

“That’s going to be such a wonderful thing for the county,” Herold said.