MERIDIAN -- Nearly 800 people sporting umbrellas, rain gear, and a bit o' St. Patrick's Day green showed up at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park on Saturday to shine some light on something that’s no picnic, but is reality, for many senior citizens: food insecurity, especially for those who are home-bound.
Food Services of America donated $5 – representing the cost of a meal – for each person who participated in the March for Meals. The company presented a $4,000 check to Metro Meals on Wheels Treasure Valley.
According to that organization, 37,120 seniors in Idaho struggle with hunger, and more than 75,000 live alone and report feeling isolated.
Metro Meals on Wheels delivers and serves more than 900 hot meals each weekday to seniors throughout Ada County. Director Grant Jones says that, in addition to providing nutritious food, most seniors served by Meals on Wheels say it makes them feel safer and healthier.
Jones says the March for Meals started four years ago, and the crowd has grown every year since then.
“There are marches across the country during the month of March with Meals on Wheels, and we have the distinction of being one of the largest – if not the largest – every year, so we’re hoping that distinction continues this year,” Jones said.
For more information about Metro Meals on Wheels, and to make a donation, go to this link.