Baskets brighten holiday Meals on Wheels deliveries

Two hundred homebound seniors got a basketful of holiday cheer with their regular Meals on Wheels deliveries Tuesday.

Members of Spokane Valley Rotary Club purchased Christmas mugs, cocoa, cider, candy and fruit – items that were put into baskets and delivered to seniors served by the nonprofit.

“It’s nice to receive it. It kind of reminds me of when I was little or something,” said Wendell Clark, a 78-year-old Spokane Valley resident who received a basket.

Clark, who suffers from macular degeneration, said he has a hard time cooking and appreciates the meals and cheer.

The festive baskets also brightened the day for several other Grace Court residents, who smiled broadly and thanked Maria and Richard Nelsen, a husband-and-wife delivery team.

Pam Almeida, director of the agency, said each year drivers hand out holiday baskets to the seniors. Still, finding sponsors can be tough. So, when a Rotary member contacted her about putting together holiday baskets, Almeida was thrilled.

Rotarians met as a group and put together the baskets. Each was packaged in festive cellophane wrap, tied with ribbon and included a card.

“We did an assembly line last night (Monday) but it was a good time. We just enjoyed this project. It just filled our hearts,” said Kay Bryant, a club member who helped organize the project.

The group also purchased 100 fleece blankets for seniors receiving meal deliveries on Christmas. Money for the blankets and baskets came from interest off a special fund established by the estate of Hank Grinald, a member who passed away several years ago.

Almeida said the blankets will be especially meaningful because people getting food on Christmas are typically alone and lacking holiday cheer.

“Giving a gift along with it (the meal) is just means they haven’t been forgotten,” Almeida said. “Bringing any touch of Christmas in is great.”