COA hosts Meals on Wheels fundraiser

Published 9:12 am Monday, August 27, 2018

By Sarah Culton

CASSOPOLIS —  Saturday evening, the Cass County Council on Aging’s Lowe Center in Cassopolis was bursting with people, some wearing red bandanas, some dancing to smooth blues and others just mingling with other friends as they sipped on a glass of wine or craft beer. However, everyone within the facility had something in common: they were there to support the most vulnerable seniors in Cass County.

Saturday evening, the COA hosted its annual fundraiser for its Meals on Wheels program. This year, the theme was Blues, Brews and BBQ, and guests were treated to a BBQ dinner provided by Bullseye Marketplace, blues music from local band Out of Favor Boys and drinks from Fenn Valley Vinyard in Fennville, Michigan and Sister Lakes Brewing Company in Dowagiac.

“We wanted to do something a little different [in terms of the theme],” said Heidi Powell, community development team leader for the COA. “I think it has turned out great.”

All money raised from the event will support the Meals on Wheels program, which is run through the COA and delivers hot meals to senior citizens throughout Cass County. This year’s fundraiser had a goal of raising between $25,000 and $30,000.

Though the total amount of money raised Saturday for the Meals on Wheels program was not yet tallied at the time of press, Powell said excluding ticket and silent auction sales, the event had already raised $19,000.

“Given that, I’m confident we will make our goal,” she said. “We should be fine.”

Powell said that though she hopes Saturday’s guests had fun and enjoyed the fundraiser, more than anything she hoped they left with a better appreciation of the Meals on Wheels program and how it serves Cass County’s senior population.

In 2017, the Meals on Wheels program delivered 14,000 meals to area seniors, and on average, serves 40 clients per day, according to COA data. According to Powell, each of those meals makes a difference in a senior’s life.

“A lot of times [A Meals on Wheels delivery] is the only interaction that the participants get. This is not only a hot, fresh meal, but that human contact is really important,” she said. “With fundraisers like this, we can put more money into the program. The more money we put into the program, the more people we are able to reach. … I think it is important for people to know how little it take to feed people. $1,000 can feed a senior a hot meal every day for a year.”

Teresa Palmer, care services team leader for the COA, agreed. Palmer works on a number of care services with the COA, including the Meals on Wheels program. She said the program is vital to the community.

“There are many seniors who don’t have access to a hot meal or groceries,” she said. “They truly are the most vulnerable in Cass County. … We want to reach out to them and service them.”

Both Powell and Palmer said they were pleased with Saturday’s turn out and the community’s support for the event.

“It’s amazing,” Palmer said Saturday. “This is something I’m very passionate about, and I’m so glad everyone turned out tonight.”

To learn more about the Meals on Wheels program or to donate, call the COA at (269) 445-8110.

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