Meals on Wheels America of Barton County announced that it is the 2023 third quarter recipients of $10,000 in charitable donations from members of the 100+ People Who Care in Barton County group. The award was given on Aug. 8 at the Best Western Angus Inn Courtyard.
Meals on Wheels is a non-profit organization founded in 1972 to provide a nutritious, well-balanced meal to persons age 60 and over who are unable to shop and prepare meals for themselves, due to age, physical or mental conditions, or infirmity. Meals are prepared by the Great Bend Senior Center, and are served five days a week in the city limits of Great Bend, Hoisington, and Ellinwood, with as many as 97 meals per day being delivered. Sadly, as the cost of preparing meals has continued to increase, federal and state funding have not increased.
The cost of a meal for those who do not meet the criteria would be $6, and a suggested donation for those who do qualify is $3.50 a meal. As many recipients of the meals are on a fixed income, they may be able to donate $1-$2 a meal.
Thus, it has been necessary for Meals on Wheels to find ways to supplement their funding until additional resources can be found. The donations of the 100+ People Who Care in Barton County will assist them in continuing this vital resource in our communities. The delivery of a meal by a friendly volunteer may be the only human contact a home-bound senior has that day. The socialization, companionship, and well check provide a moment of connection for our seniors, especially if they do not have family nearby who can check in on them each day.
The next giving meeting for the 100+ People Who Care group will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Best Western Angus Inn Courtyard. At that time, representatives from the Meals on Wheels will return to provide an update on how the organization is utilizing the $10,000 gift.
Members will also vote to select and nominate local, charitable organizations to receive future funds. More details can be found on the group’s website, www.100bartoncounty.org, or on their Facebook page.
