In 1970 three women got together in the basement of a church in Southeast Portland to prepare and serve a hot lunch to about a dozen seniors. From 14 newspaper-wrapped meals then to nearly 12,000 seniors served annually today, Meals on Wheels People of Portland is now among the top 10 largest senior nutrition programs in the country and one of the very few that has never had a waiting list for meals. The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is honored to name Meals on Wheels People as its Official Charity for 2019.
"Hunger is one of the most desperate and frightening feelings anyone, let alone an isolated senior, can experience," said Teri Bowles-Atherton, President of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation. "The Rose Festival is proud to name Meals on Wheels People our official charity. Not only do they take care of seniors in need, they also make ethnic dishes for this very diverse community of ours and offer the Meals 4 kids program serving children and families experiencing low food security."
As the 2019 Official Charity, the Rose Festival will honor the more than 5,000 volunteers who annually donate more than two million hours to help serve seniors through Meals on Wheels People. The Festival will help provide positive support through various platforms in events and programming including appearances in PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade and the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Rose Festival as their 2019 Official Charity,” said Meals on Wheels People CEO Suzanne Washington. “This opportunity allows us to reach a broad audience with our vision that no senior will go hungry or experience social isolation. We look forward to joining in the many activities sponsored by the Rose Festival and sharing those with our senior participants.”
About Meals on Wheels People: Meals on Wheels People has been changing lives, one meal at a time, since 1970. We provide more than a meal to thousands of older adults in the greater Portland metro area. Our service not only alleviates hunger and social isolation, but allows seniors to live independently with dignity in their own homes. Aging in place reduces depression, falls and hospitalization as well as the high cost of institutional care. For more information, visit: mowp.org.
About Portland Rose Festival: The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves families and individuals with programs and events that promote the arts, education and volunteerism. They value environmental responsibility, diversity, patriotism and their historic and floral heritage. The 2019 Rose Festival runs from May 24 through June 9. For more information, visit: rosefestival.org.