Dear Generous Community Members,
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!
