Vancouver, WA — More than 400 business and community supporters gathered at the Vancouver Hilton on Wednesday for the Meals On Wheels People’s annual Spring Luncheon.

The event is designed to honor volunteers and raise much-needed funds to continue to serve the 164,000 local meals it provides to seniors in the Portland/Vancouver metro area. The event also provides a public forum to spread the word about how the volunteer program operates. Their goal on Wednesday was to raise $150,000.

The event, which was emcee’d by book author and Meals On Wheels volunteer, Sandy Calwell, lasted about an hour, and featured a light lunch and dessert, as supporters sat at sponsored tables.

Larry Smith, one of the organization’s volunteers, was the first speaker.

“We have not turned away a senior in need for more than 46 years,” he said. “We thank Columbia Credit Union for their true and deep commitment, as they have sponsored this event since its inception.”

Meals on Wheels Compassion For Seniors Award

Meals on Wheels People honored volunteer Scott Campbell with the Compassion for Seniors Award. He thanked fellow volunteers for the honor.

“It’s a rewarding experience to take time out each day and visit our seniors,” said Campbell. “We know, for many, this may be the only social interaction they have all day. What we do helps them to stay in their homes.”

He spoke highly of Waste Connections, whom he called a viable corporate partner. “We celebrate our community successes, and nothing liberates your greatness than by your desire to help.”

Scott Campbell received the Compassion for Seniors Award.

A sharp-looking bunch, namely the Vancouver Firefighters Union, has been a table sponsor for many years.

“We raise money through our Community Assistance Fund,” said Dave Sturbelle, a longtime Vancouver firefighter, and union member who attended Wednesday’s luncheon. “The fund raises money to help people out. We use some of those funds to donate to good causes, such as Meals On Wheels. We’re here to support their efforts.”

Mike and Shelly Bacon also addressed the attendees, likened taking food to seniors to her favorite Happy Hour.

“It’s a favorite time of day,” said Shelly. “Good food, good price … so it’s like taking Happy Hour to our seniors.”

Mike said the main criteria is that the meal recipients be age 60 or above, homebound (temporarily or permanently).

“Over time we get familiar with their surroundings,” he said. “And we know we’re doing good for those folks.”

Calwell concluded the event by encouraging attendees to reach into their pocketbooks and to help the cause “that is so important.”

The organization is always looking for new volunteers, and particularly, drivers. To learn more, visit www.mealsonwheelspeople.org

Dave Sturbelle, right, sits with members of the Vancouver Firefighters Union.

Vancouver, WA — More than 400 business leaders and community supporters are gathering at the Vancouver Hilton this Wednesday as Meals on Wheels People hosts its annual Spring Luncheon, with doors opening at 11:30 am. Beginning at noon, the luncheon will be hosted by book author, Sandy Calwell, and features guest speaker, Mike Bacon.

The annual Clark County event is expected to earn $150,000 in necessary donations, said Meals on Wheels Marketing People Director, Julie Piper.

“It’s designed to be an enjoyable event to discuss what our program does, and for people to enjoy a nice lunch,” says Piper. “And, at the end of the hour, our goal is to raise $150,000, which comes from sponsored tables, corporations, and individuals.”

Calwell, author of “What if Parenting is the Most Important Job in the World,” has been a regular volunteer for the non-profit organization, whose local chapter provides 5,000 meals per day. All told, Meals on Wheels People has 400 volunteers across the three counties. She started her volunteer work by helping out in the kitchen at the Meals on Wheels Washougal center. Currently, she volunteers on the organization’s board, and helps with outreach and marketing.

“Meals on Wheels People covers three counties,” said Calwell. “The central kitchen is in Portland, on Multnomah Boulevard, with kitchens and centers throughout Clark County and Portland. The Spring Luncheon isn’t the main fundraiser, but it is very significant. Government cutbacks have made it so we’re very reliant on private fundraising, so this event is important.”

Each meal costs about $7, and seniors are asked to contribute $3-$4 per meal, but Calwell said a lot of seniors can’t even do that. The fundraising is designed to cover all the gaps. She added that several local businesses, such as Dave’s Killer Bread, donate food on a regular basis. Each day, volunteers prepare and deliver nutritious meals to shut-in seniors throughout the service area.

“We make sure all people that need to be served, get served,” added Calwell. “The seniors sometimes have no other options.”

Piper said they met their fundraising goal at last year’s luncheon, and expect to achieve it this year, as well.

“We’re really grateful for the community support we receive,” she said.

The event runs very efficiently, and features speakers, awards and updates on the organization’s progress.

Meals on Wheels was founded in 1969, and each chapter provides a very “person-to-person outreach,” said Calwell. “It all stays right here. It’s very important work.”

Locally, about 40 seniors are served in Washougal, with another 150 served out of their Firstenburg Center, in Vancouver.

To learn more, visit www.mealsonwheelspeople.org

Sandy Calwell will emcee the Meals on Wheels Spring Luncheon this year, with husband, Ken Calwell, CEO of Papa Murphy’s International, at last year’s Clark County Spring Luncheon.