WISH LIST: Meals on Wheels asks for donations, acts of kindness

Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels serves food to almost 2,000 area residents daily, but the organization knows that bringing brightness to someone’s life transcends a hot meal.

That’s why, besides seeking donations, Meals on Wheels is asking Mid-Columbia residents to find their own way of giving back to the community this holiday season.

This kindness challenge could include shoveling snow from a disabled veteran’s driveway, helping an elderly friend address holiday cards or driving an indigent neighbor to a doctor’s appointment.

Giving takes many forms, and Meals on Wheels is asking the community to show its creativity. “If you can’t volunteer or donate, look at how you can help someone in need,” said Heather Kriss, a development associate with Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels.

The organization, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year in Benton and Franklin counties, delivers about 670 meals daily and serves hundreds of others through its seven dining centers spread across the Tri-Cities and surrounding area.

Almost 60 percent of its clients are defined as “living within the greatest economic need.” Half are single and live alone. About a quarter of its male clients are veterans.

“We don’t just provide food,” Kriss said. “We provide daily wellness checks ... and a friendly smile.”

Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels has distributed more than 600 informational packets about the kindness challenge to area churches, businesses, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops, and other community organizations, hoping to engage them in bettering a senior citizen or disabled person’s life this season.

Community members also can request a copy of the packet, which includes 40 ideas for showing an act of kindness. Suggestions include sharing a cup of tea with an elderly neighbor, walking an elderly friend’s dog or inviting an elderly sports fan over to watch a ballgame. The packets also include contact information for local senior centers and care facilities.

“We have high hopes this project will go a long way in raising awareness about the number of seniors in our community that need help,” Kriss said, “not just with access to a daily nutritious meal, but also with combating social isolation, loneliness and depression.”

The organization served 155,608 meals last year and anticipates serving upward of 165,000 meals in 2015.

Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels also is seeking monetary donations. Kriss said a donation of $52, for example, could provide a week’s worth of meals to someone in need.

The organization relies heavily on the communities it serves. Kriss said donations and volunteer support account for about two-thirds of Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels funding. The rest comes mainly from state and federal grants, she said. Besides cash donations and volunteer time, Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels also accepts gasoline gift cards to help reimburse the more than 300 drivers who deliver meals in the area.

Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels this fall officially started a pet program, which allows volunteers to care for clients’ pets. Volunteers may bring pet food or kitty litter to a person’s home, for example.

“For us, it’s an exciting new way to serve our clients,” Kriss said.

To donate to Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, go to www.homedeliveredmeals.org or call 735-1911 for more information.

This story was originally published December 14, 2014 at 10:50 PM with the headline "WISH LIST: Meals on Wheels asks for donations, acts of kindness."