Author: North Coast BBQ

I told you in the last communication I would let you know more about Meals for Seniors, Inc. in Rockaway Beach. I started to underline what I thought was important in their letter, but found I was underlining everything. So, I will just send their entire letter. Again, this is from Meals for Seniors, Inc., PO Box 852, Rockaway Beach, Oregon, 97136. For more information, please call 503-317-8967.

“As you know, our senior citizens are the riches of our communities and all of us at Meals for Seniors, Inc. continue to work hard to provide nutritious meals for our senior citizens we serve. If you are looking for opportunities to help others during this holiday season we would appreciate your consideration of a donation.

We are on track to provide about 14,000 meals this year which would be a record for us. We have recently conducted a Customer Survey of those who receive meals from us. Those results show 27% of our respondents are over 80 years of age while another 10% are over 90! Of our respondents, 47% have been receiving for five meals or more and another 26% for 8 meals or more. Also, 24% have been receiving meals for less than one year, yet three of our seniors have been coming for 17 years or more. Our diners hail from the Portland area to Tillamook and Nehalem and communities in-between. We serve and deliver meals 52 weeks of the year; not missing a meal date since we began in 2003. For that we are grateful.

We also have a Family Fund you might consider. This is a separate project with its own funds yet is housed under our non-profit status. It is managed by the Meals for Seniors, Inc. Board of Directors. This fund assists families in need who might otherwise “fall through the cracks” during as well as at the holidays. In December we work with Tillamook County CARES which identifies families in need. Last year we were able to assist 15 families with a total of 61 children: we also help with utility bills. This year we have 12 families.

We are also working with the Neah-Kah-Nie School District resources counselors who identify students in need, along with their families. The district has schools in Nehalem, Rockaway, and Garibaldi. We are adopting another 14-18 families this year through the school district, about a total of about 44 families. We speak with the head of the household to determine the number of children and through Black Friday shopping we purchase clothing, toys, a complete holiday dinner along with a Fred Meyer gift card. Everything is wrapped and delivered by our volunteers a few days before Christmas.

We are learning there may be a need for lunches for students during the summer. Counselors note they see students coming back to school in the Fall, having lost weight. In one case they could tell this, s the student wore the same pair of pants during the school year, but now in the Fall they were baggy-they were the only pants he had. There are similar reports from counselors.

If you consider a donation to the Family Fund, please note so in the byline of a check or notation on PayPal as these fund and projects are separate from our meal service. We do not receive on-going local, state, national or federal funding. We are federally designated non-profit with a 501 (c)(3) status and your donation is deductible to the extent allowed by the law. We appreciate your consideration.

Our Board members, our volunteers and our seniors thank you for your past support and wish your and your loved ones a safe, healthy and happy holiday season”

If you divide the number of meals they serve a year, 14,000 meals by 52 weeks of the year, you come up with 269 meals per week!

Again, this was a letter I received from Meals for Seniors, Inc. Tax ID# 90-0097197. The letter is signed by Theresa Bruneau, President

The address for Meals for Seniors, Inc., PO Box 852, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136

Rockaway Beach Lions, PO Box 611, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136-Meals for families Thanksgiving and Christmas

North County Food Bank, PO Box 162, Wheeler, Oregon 97147, Meal’s weekly, Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner also Clothing Bank-bring warm clothing

Nehalem Bay Community Services, PO Box 232, Nehalem, Oregon 97131 CHILD Program, Nehalem Senior Lunches, Nehalem Bay Food Pantry

If you want to look for more information about the above programs, please go to their website.

Again, many thanks! Your Holiday will be better if you are sharing it with others!

Cassius is so handsome he belongs on the cover of Cat Vogue! He has a beautiful spotted tabby pattern on a silvery coat and bright green eyes. He is a brave little adventurer, who loves exploring and playing. When Cassius is ready to rest, he will find the highest spot to perch and keep watch like a true protector. While he may be a bit cautious when meeting new people, once you earn his trust, he’ll reward you with endless purrs and cozy lap cuddles.

Cassius and Flavia are about 12 weeks old and have been in a loving foster home. They are good with other cats and probably gentle dogs. They are are now ready for their forever home. Could that be you?

You can learn more about these two kittens as well as other cats and kittens available for adoption at unitedpaws.wordress.com, where you can also complete an adoption application and get pre-approved. Once pre-approved, you can schedule a “Meet & Greet.” You can also email unitedpawsapps@gmail.com or call United Paws at 503-842-5663 for more info.

You can view videos of these cuties the United Paws website or at the following links.
Flavia: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe3xY_E-Uj2akL1adicLubKYXMfVe9kTU
Cassius: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe3xY_E-Uj2ZK-tvTq6_YfNXaAgJX8Mx5

You’ll learn what “Area Median Income” (AMI) means, and why it’s an important term, along with a few others.
To learn more about Housing in Tillamook County, please join the Tillamook County Housing Commission the first Thursday of every month at its monthly meeting, online or in-person: www.tillamookcounty.gov/bc-hc

People who belong to a political party lock their brains into a box and cannot think outside the box. I feel our country is on the brink of imploding
because of corruption. Corruption happens to all governments over time. My beautiful country, with the best constitution of all, is extraordinarily corrupt, and the state of Oregon is also, simply because it has been under one party control for a long time. It doesn’t matter what party it is. Majority party rule over time leads to corruption

I have been a Democrat most of my life and most all of my kids and grandkids are Democrats. I have been registered lately as a Republican, a Democrat, and an Independent so I can vote in the primary election for persons running on both sides of the aisle that I would like to see In our state legislature.

I would like to see our election process change, so that in the primary a person could vote for all who are running in their area. This would include all independents, all democrats and all republicans listed on one ballot. Then I wouldn’t have to change my party identity. I almost voted for rank choice voting but didn’t. I think there is a better way. In closing I would like to say I lean toward common sense, and I don’t see much of that in the current Democratic Party.

Thanks to all of you who have given cash, checks, and donations to our many local organizations who keep so many fed and clothed. Below you will find the names and addresses of these organizations. You can continue giving through this holiday season, or on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Yes, people need help year around in our community, not just the Holiday Season. I am seeing other individuals and businesses asking for clothing and food for locals. This is good! Please help them as much as you can.

Remember the Nehalem Elementary School Food Drive. This Food Drive is an especially important food security tool for our kids during their 2-week winter break at the end of the year. Already the Family Resource Center at the Nehalem Elementary School is collecting for the Weekend Backpack Food Program. Each food bag contains 2 lunches, 2 breakfast items, 2 servings of fruit, 4 snacks, and Top Ramen. Other items they collect are new and gently used jackets, shoes, socks, and clothes. Consider giving Hygiene products to the whole family. They also provide extra swim gear for children so they can participate in the swim program. These provisions for children are provided all school year. This is keeping people remarkably busy. One of these people is Heaven Hartford. To help this program you can stop by the office or mail a check to Nehalem Elementary, PO Box 190, Nehalem, Oregon, 97131.To contact Heaven at the Family Resource Center, call 503-355-3639 or text at heavenh@nknsd.org.

To help this Food Drive for the Holidays please think about what you would want your kids to have to eat. Consider cereal, bread, pasta, rice, healthy snacks, flour, sugar, canned goods, and such. If you have fresh or frozen items to donate, please call Nehalem Elementary School to arrange drop off or pick up. 503-355-3650 or 888-218-2455.

If any of you got a letter from Meals for Seniors, Inc. This year you know they have really expanded their already busy work in the community. Will need to get back to this in another email. In the business of helping people for over 20 years, you can help them with their Meal program by sending what you can to Meals for Seniors, PO Box 852, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136. Phone 503-317-8967.

Rockaway Beach Lions will be giving out baskets of food and presents for Christmas. Contact them at Rockaway Beach Lions, PO Box 611, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136.

The North County Food Bank is in Wheeler, open on Tuesday. They need food, money, warm clothing, and volunteers, especially this time of year. If you have questions, call them at 503-368-7724. Their mailing address is NCFB, PO Box 162, Wheeler, Oregon 97141.

Nehalem Bay Community Services is the umbrella for three organizations which were previously run by Nehalem Bay United Methodist Church. The CHILD Program provides new clothes to children at the beginning of the school year and at Christmas, along with Christmas presents. Nehalem Senior Lunches, served at the church on Tuesday and Thursday. The Nehalem Bay Food Panty rounds out these services with food and clothing for people and pet food for your dogs and cats. For questions about these programs, you can call the church office 503-368-5612 and leave a message. The mailing address for this organization is NBCS, PO Box 232, Nehalem, Oregon 97131.

Thank you-do your best-whatever that might be to help others!