By Mandy Feder
When I moved to California, I volunteered to drive for Meals-On-Wheels, because a) I didn”t know anyone in my new town b) I wanted to share the spirit and importance of volunteering with my children c) I wanted to bring company and sustenance to those who needed it and d) I wanted to become familiar with all the streets in town.
At that time I had little to no concept of the vital importance of the program.
Along my route I learned that the one meal I delivered was often the only meal that many of the people had all day.
Aside from that, many times the recipients of the meals had no contact with anyone but me and my children.
Some had children, brothers, sisters and other family members who lived out of the area.
Some had no family left.
The town was fairly rural. The homes were often pretty far from neighboring houses.
It was an eye-opening experience for me and one that fostered compassion in my children.
I”ve spent a great deal of time with directors from Lake County senior centers and they voraciously do whatever it takes to care for seniors and improve the quality of their lives.
It is with a great deal of pride that I write about their efforts, integrity and perseverance.
The assistant director of Lakeport Senior Activity Center, Jonathan Crooks, told me about March for Meals, a walk to support Meals-On-Wheels in Lake County. Five Lake County senior centers are participating in the event: Live Oak, Middletown, Highlands, Lucerne and Lakeport.
March for Meals is an annual national campaign held in March of every year and designed to increase public awareness, recruit new volunteers and increase funding for members of the Meals-On-Wheels Association of America.
The Lakeport Senior Activity Center will begin its walk on March 26, from its new thrift store at 560 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport. The thrift store opens this coming Tuesday and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on the day of the walk.
Each senior center will have separate walking routes, beginning at areas designated by the individual center. All centers will participate in the walk on the same date.
Nationally, one in nine seniors face hunger. That amounts to a lot of people whose basic needs are not met.
In Lake County more than 100,000 meals are delivered each year. With reductions in funding it is getting increasingly difficult to meet the needs of those who are hungry and often malnourished.
Participants and sponsors are needed to make this event a success and ultimately provide care for seniors in our community. Participation packets are available at all participating senior centers.
To find information online visit www.lcseniors.com.
On Tuesday, there will a presentation of a proclamation by the Lake County Board of Supervisors designating the month of March as Meals-On-Wheels Month in Lake County. The supervisors understand that delivery of these meals makes it possible for many seniors to live independently and remain in the comfort of their homes.
The proclamation will point out that the senior centers and program partners bring the community together for the purpose of providing nutrition, hope and independence to homebound seniors and those in need.
In this country of abundant food, no one should be starving.
The Lake County Record-Bee and the Clearlake Observer-American will publish the names of March for Meals sponsors each week.
For more information contact the senior center near you.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it”s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee managing editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32.
