Help feed area seniors through March for Meals

For the past three decades, elderly and disabled persons in the Spokane Valley have depended on Meals on Wheels for a hot meal.

For the next few weeks, Meals on Wheels will depend on local generosity to raise funds for the program. The fundraiser is called March for Meals.

Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels kicks off a month-long campaign with a walk-a-thon Thursday at Spokane Valley Mall from 8 to 10 a.m. A registration form is available at the organization’s Web site: www.spokanevalleymealsonwheels.com, or from the customer service desk at Spokane Valley Mall.

Then, on March 8, 15 Valley restaurants will come together for Dine Out … So No Senior Goes Hungry. Each has agreed to donate a portion of each tab to Meals on Wheels.

The month-long effort concludes with a rummage sale March 23 and 24 at Opportunity Center at the corner of Sprague Avenue and Pines Road.

For information on either the program or any of the upcoming fundraisers – or to donate items for the rummage sale – call Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels at 924-6976.

Last year Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels delivered more than 84,000 meals and served another 15,000 in its senior lunch program. Currently, it serves more than 7,000 meals per month in its home-delivery program, with 250 volunteers donating their time, gasoline and compassion to make it happen. Volunteers deliver a hot, nutritious meal five days a week and provide frozen meals for the weekend.

The meals provide at least a third of each senior’s minimum daily requirement while, unfortunately for many seniors, the volunteer may provide their only daily outside contact.

The program also operates a pair of lunch programs where seniors who are not homebound can meet, enjoy a meal and socialize. Meals are served Monday through Friday, beginning at 11:30 a.m., at Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road, and Tuesday and Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. at the Spokane Valley Senior Center at 11423 E. Mission Ave.