March for Meals slated for April 13

The eighth annual March for Meals in Whitman County will be Saturday, April 13, in Colfax and Pullman.

The fundraiser is a walk held in Colfax at the CHS track from 10 a.m. to noon, and in Pullman at the Mooberry track from 1 to 3 p.m.

Suzy McNeilly, nutrition program director for the Council on Aging, said the walk will include prizes in several different categories. Walkers are encouraged to get pledges as well as cash donations.

“Five dollars can feed a senior,” McNeilly said.

Last year they raised more than $14,000 and all funds remained in Whitman County.

The March for Meals is a national campaign that began in 2001 to raise money for Meals on Wheels and Senior Nutrition Programs, and raise awareness for senior hunger issues and volunteer opportunities with senior programs.

In Whitman County, they provide:

• Meals on Wheels in both Colfax and Pullman, in conjunction with the Pullman Council on Aging;

• Liquid meals for the entire county, for people who are unable to maintain a healthy weight, have no appetite because of medical conditions or need to supplement their daily nutritional program;

• Meals at six meal sites where seniors join together for a group meal and socialization in Colfax, Pullman, Oakesdale, Rosalia, Tekoa and Palouse;

• Food to more than 500 seniors monthly through food banks and the commodity distribution system at 12 different sites around the county;

• Special food box, commodity supplemental food program, provided to 72 extremely low income seniors.

In 2013, they intend to serve more than 19,000 homebound meals and 12,500 meals in group settings for seniors in addition to the food bank and commodities.

In 2012, they served 18,243 homebound meals and 12,089 meals in group settings.

McNeilly said the program is seeing an increase in seniors who are taking advantage of the programs.

“They are utilizing the nutrition services,” she said. “There’s more and more information out there and families are sharing the information so seniors are able to stay at home.”

McNeilly said walkers can either fill out forms at the Council on Aging office or can show up on April 13 to walk.

For more information, call (509) 397-4305.