March raises $12,000

In all kinds of weather, senior meals are delivered throughout the county and despite Saturday’s inclement weather, March for Meals marched on.

The eighth annual fundraiser for senior nutrition programs in the county raised $12,000 and donation are still pouring in, according to Suzy McNeilly, nutrition program director for the Council on Aging.

Two walks were held on Saturday, each drawing about 24 walkers. The first walk held Saturday was in Colfax and the second was in Pullman.

“We created awareness,” she said.

McNeilly still is accepting donations which stay 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, the programs provide: Meals on Wheels in both Colfax and Pullman, in conjunction with the Pullman Council on Aging; Liquid meals; Meals at six meal sites throughout the county; 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.

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

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.