Individuals can help in November by donating to the online campaign or volunteering for the Meals on Wheels Meal Drive
In July of 2016, Sound Generations’ (formerly Senior Services) announced that for the first time in its forty-nine year history new applicants to its Meals on Wheels program faced a wait of up to five months before they could be added to the program. Now, with the help of several large contributions from local agencies and donors, Meals on Wheels has reduced the waiting list to one-to-two months as of October 2016.
The reduction in the waiting list was largely possible due to funding from Aging and Disability Services, who awarded $80,000 specifically to address this issue. Additionally, Jeannie and Bruce Nordstrom, The Biella Foundation, Lucky Seven Foundation, Moccasin Lake Foundation, Schuler Family Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Catherin Holmes Wilkins Foundation, and Peg & Rick Young Foundation have made large contributions in recent months.
Though Sound Generations operates the largest meal delivery program for older adults in King County, serving more than 2,700 people each year, it is struggling to keep up with continually increasing demand. Between 2012 and 2015, the program increased the number of individuals served by 38.7%. Meanwhile, support for senior programs from traditional funding sources has significantly decreased.
The largest expense for the program is the cost of the food, followed by staff such as coordinators, order-takers and delivery drivers. More than 300 volunteers help facilitate the delivery of meals at 23 sites throughout King County. In 2015, volunteers contributed a combined 22,346 hours (the equivalent of $615,409).
Currently, more than 200 individuals are on the Meals on Wheels waiting list and on average, 45 new individuals applies to the program each week. The majority of people who apply to Meals on Wheels live with chronic conditions and health issues that severely inhibit their mobility. Many seek help after a medical procedure or illness leaves them bed-ridden.
Those wishing to support Meals on Wheels can help in the following ways:
Make a gift online by November 30, 2016.
Visit bit.ly/mealsonwheelsdrive to donate.
Every dollar donated up to $50,000 is matched by Jeannie and Bruce Nordstrom.
Volunteer for Sound Generations’ Meals on Wheels Meal Drive
From November 3 – 13, shoppers at select Grocery Outlet and Uwajimaya locations can donate the cost of a meal (or multiple meals) by adding a contribution to their grocery bills at checkout.
Volunteers help encourage shoppers to shoppers to donate at checkout by greeting them and handing out donation postcards at the entrances of the stores.
Sign up at: soundgenerations.org/join-meals-wheels-meal-drive.
Shop at a participating Grocery Outlet or Uwajimaya, November 3 – 13, and add the cost of a meal to your bill at checkout.
Participating stores:
Grocery Outlet – Auburn
102 Cross Street S.E.
Auburn, WA 98001
Grocery Outlet – Aurora
13201 Aurora Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98133
Grocery Outlet – Burien
236 S.W. 152nd St.
Burien, WA 98166
Grocery Outlet – Crossroads
15625 N.E. 8th. St.
Bellevue, WA 98008
Grocery Outlet – Crown Hill
8700 15th Ave. N.E.
Seattle, WA 98115
Grocery Outlet – Federal Way
32945 Pacific Hwy. S.
Federal Way, 98003
Grocery Outlet – Kent
23910 104th Ave. S.E.
Kent, WA 98032
Grocery Outlet – Madrona
1126 MLK Jr. Way S.
Seattle, WA 98122
Grocery Outlet – Renton
2809 N.E. Sunset Blvd.
Renton, WA 98059
Grocery Outlet – Skyway
11656 68th Ave. S. 98178
Uwajimaya – Renton
501 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057