BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Senior Connection is trying to raise $50,000 during the 23rd Annual March for Meals through the month of March.

March for Meals is a nationwide celebration of Meals on Wheels, in which The Senior Connection delivers meals, companionship and spot checks to seniors trying to remain healthy and independent at home.

“We served nearly 16,000 meals through Meals on Wheels in 2023 and over 25,000 meals total to older adults in our community. This is possible thanks to our incredible team of volunteers and donors,” said Jovita Piña, executive director.

With the rising cost of food, the Senior Connection needs support more than ever to continue delivering quality, nutritious meals throughout the Wood River Valley. The Connection needs $16,000 to reach its goal.

“While providing nutritious meals is essential, the social interaction it facilitates is equally vital for our senior community. Delivering delicious ‘made with love’ meals brings me immense satisfaction, but the true joy lies in the heartfelt conversations I share with the seniors along the route. My heart overflows with happiness after spending time with them,” said Leslie Silva, who has delivered Meals on Wheels one day a week for several years.

“Meals on Wheels was right up my alley when I retired and checked in with our Senior Connection,” added John Kwan, who moved to the Wood River Valley following retirement. “The many and varied personal connections I have made are now a part of my community. And I get to drive a cool truck and cruise down to Silver Creek.”

It costs $30 to deliver one week of meals to a senior--$120 for a month’s worth of nutrition. One year of nutrition and safety checks costs $1,560 per senior.

And Blaine County’s senior population is growing faster than that of Idaho and the United States.

Checks may be mailed to The Senior Connection at Box 28, Hailey, ID 83333. Make a donation online at https://seniorconnectionidaho.org/donate/

The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day in March 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older.

Eight out of ten local Meals on Wheels programs are still delivering meals to more older adults than they were prior to the pandemic, and operational and food costs are soaring due to historic inflation, spokesmen for Meals on Wheels America observed.

STAY TUNE FOR:

Eye on Sun Valley’s Marie’s Kitchen filmed a special cooking show with Senior Connection Chef Sky Barker this week highlighting the importance of quality nutrition and the delicious meals that are going out of the Senior Connection kitchen on a daily basis.

Check it out in Eye on Sun Valley’s TV show on Cox Cable Channel 13 beginning Sunday, March 24. And watch it on the Eye on Sun Valley website in the next few days.