Meals on Wheels program in need

Donations needed to continue program

COLUMBIA BASIN - The Meals on Wheels program utilized by Grant County residents suffered budget cuts this month leading to the need for donations to support the program.

The Moses Lake Senior Center spearheads the program and has $350,000 to fund congregate meals and home delivery meals, Office Manager Donald Newton said. Congregate meals refer to meals served at the senior center and home delivery meals are taken to people's residences throughout the county.

The senior center has an estimated $50,000 deficit this year for the meal programs.

The deficit is due to increasing expenses and increasing costs associated with food and fuel, he said.

Newton said approximately 900 people take advantage of the program.

The senior center collects $2.17 per congregate meal and 49 cents per home delivery meal, he said. The senior center is requesting a donation of $3.25 per meal to help fund the program.

In the past, the senior center delivered five hot meals and two frozen meals. They now deliver one hot meal and six frozen meals per week, Newton said. The senior center hopes to return to delivering more hot meals than frozen meals.

He said people who are involved in the program are at least 60 years old, unable to prepare their own meals and may have certain nutritional needs. Newton said Meals on Wheels recipients are often referred to the program by a doctor.

Monetary donations can be made payable to the Moses Lake Senior Center. The senior center is located at 608 E. Third Ave. in Moses Lake.

For more information. contact Newton at 509-765-7809.