Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA Announces Take-Out Dinner Fundraising Event Meals on Wheels of NEPA announces that it will hold a take-out dinner fundraiser on Friday, April 8. This lent-friendly meal features cod piccata served with brown rice, carrots, broccoli, and a dinner roll for just $15. Patrons are also able to purchase a meal for a Meals on Wheels of NEPA client for $5. All proceeds benefit the programming of Meals on Wheels of NEPA. Tickets for the take-out dinner will be on sale from Monday, March 21 until Monday, April 4. Tickets are available online at mealsonwheelsnepa.org or by calling 570-346-2421. Dinners will be distributed from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8 at the Meals on Wheels of NEPA office located at 541 Wyoming Ave, Scranton. Meals must be purchased in advance. Meals on Wheels of NEPA supports the independent living of homebound seniors and disabled persons through the delivery of nutrition and supportive services. Each day, the Agency’s clients, whose life circumstances make it difficult or impossible for them to prepare needed nourishment, receive a hot meal delivered by volunteers. In addition to keeping these seniors well-nourished, the Agency often provides the only human contact many homebound individuals experience each day. Meals on Wheels of NEPA has been in existence since 1969, and to date, has served over 5 million meals.
Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA Receives Pet Food Donation Meals on Wheels of NEPA received a donation of Pet Food from Minooka Subaru. Minooka Subaru filled a Subaru Crosstrek with donated food supplies. The pet food donation supports the Treasured Friends Pet Food program which delivers pet food and supplies to participating clients. This helps keep a cherished pet with their companion and reduces food sharing by clients with their pets. Meals on Wheels of NEPA is participating in the 2021 Subaru Share the Love Event as a member of Meals on Wheels America – one of four national Share the Love charitable partners supported through the campaign. From November 18, 2021, through January 3, 2022, Subaru of America will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased to the customer’s choice of participating charities. By purchasing or leasing a new Subaru during the Subaru Share the Love Event and selecting Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice, you can help deliver nutritious meals and other important services to seniors right here in NEPA. The core programming of Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA is the Home Delivered Meals program, which serves elderly adults and adults with disabilities in our community. Individuals whose life circumstances make it difficult or impossible for them to prepare needed nourishment receive a hot meal delivered to them by volunteers and caring staff. In addition to keeping the senior well-nourished, Meals on Wheels often provides the only human contact many homebound individuals experience each day. Meals on Wheels of NEPA has been in existence since 1969, and to date, has served over 5 million meals.
Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA Receives Blanket Donation Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA received a donation of blankets and sanitizing products from Ocean State Job Lot. “We are grateful for the tremendous support that we’ve seen from the community for this year’s Holiday Blanket Drive,” said Kristen L. Kosin, executive director of Meals on Wheels of NEPA. “This donation from Ocean State Job Lot helped to bring us to our goal. We appreciate their continued support the agency.” “The Ocean State Job Charitable Foundation has a tradition of supporting organizations that are able to make a positive impact on the local communities,” said Edward Stephens, Store Manager of Ocean State Job Lot. “Meals and Wheels has a long tradition of doing just that in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Ocean State Job Lot of Dickson City is proud to support them in their annual blanket distribution for seniors in our community.” The Holiday Blanket Drive has provided comfort to the elderly and homebound clients of Meals on Wheels of NEPA for more than six years. The program distributes donated throw blankets, socks, and toiletries to elderly and homebound clients living throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania during the holiday season. The core programming of Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA is the Home Delivered Meals program, which serves elderly adults and adults with disabilities in our community. Individuals whose life circumstances make it difficult or impossible for them to prepare needed nourishment receive a hot meal delivered to them by volunteers and caring staff. In addition to keeping the senior well-nourished, Meals on Wheels often provides the only human contact many homebound individuals experience each day. Meals on Wheels of NEPA has been in existence since 1969, and to date, has served over 5 million meals.
Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA Joins Meals on Wheels America and Subaru of America, Inc. in Sharing the Love This Holiday Season Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA is proud to announce that it will be participating in the 2021 Subaru Share the Love Event as a member of Meals on Wheels America – one of four national Share the Love charitable partners supported through the campaign. From November 18, 2021, through January 3, 2022, Subaru of America will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased to the customer’s choice of participating charities. Participating Meals on Wheels America members, like Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA, will receive a share of the donation raised by Subaru in their state. Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA has partnered with Minooka Subaru in Minooka to raise awareness for the popular year-end sales and giving event, and drive support for Meals on Wheels. “Meals on Wheels America is proud to partner with Subaru of America for the 14th consecutive year to enable more seniors to live with independence and dignity,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “Since 2008, the Subaru Share the Love Event has helped deliver more than 2.5 million meals and friendly visits to vulnerable seniors nationwide. We’re enormously grateful to Subaru and its retailers for their long-standing commitment to Meals on Wheels and the millions of seniors who depend on it for nourishment and companionship.” Over the last 13 years, Subaru of America and its participating retailers have donated more than $200 million to its charity partners. This year’s Subaru Share the Love Event is on track to bring that total to over $225 million, proving there’s no limit to the amount of love we can all share. By purchasing or leasing a new Subaru during the Subaru Share the Love Event and selecting Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice, you can help deliver nutritious meals and other important services to seniors right here in NEPA. For more information, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelove.
NET Credit Union Receives Philanthropic Award NET Credit Union is the 2021 recipient of the Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA Fifth Annual Founder’s Award for Philanthropy. Clarence Baltrusaitis, CEO of NET Credit Union, accepted the award on behalf of NET at their annual fundraiser, Mix and Mingle at Glenn Oak Country Club. Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA provides daily delivered nutritional services to the elderly and disabled individuals in Lackawanna County. The volunteers who deliver these meals daily may be the only human interaction their clients see. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Meals on Wheels of NEPA has continued to provide uninterrupted daily services to their clients with an unwavering commitment to quality and service – due largely to the dedication of staff and volunteers, strict adherence to public health protocols and financial support from our wonderful community. Today, Meals on Wheels prepares up to 2,000 hot meals per day. Pictured L to R: Phil Zvirblis, Branch Manager, and Clarence Baltrusaitis, CEO.
Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA to Host Annual Mix and Mingle Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year at Glen Oak Country Club, 250 Oakford Road Clarks Summit, PA on September 23, 2021 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA will present two awards this year. The Fifth Annual Founder’s Award for Philanthropy will be awarded to Clarence Baltrusaitis on behalf of NET Credit Union. “We are so excited to honor Clarence and NET Credit Union,” said Kristen L. Kosin, Executive Director. “NET Credit Union is a true champion of our area. It’s amazing how their employees donate their time, expertise and generosity to help agencies and organizations throughout our area.” The second award presented will be the Elaine F. Shepard Award for Exceptional Volunteerism. “Elaine F. Shepard is an extraordinary example of service to the community. This award will honor Katie Gilmartin. She works tirelessly to promote and serve our community,” explains Ms. Kosin. Tickets for this event are $75 per person or $125 per pair. Tickets include entrance to event, lite dinner fare, and open bar. Live music will be provided by the Mark Monella Trio. Activities at this year’s event include raffle baskets, a gift pull, and a silent art auction which will feature work from local artists like Sharon Cosgrove, Christine Medley, and Tom Noone. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.mealsonwheelsnepa.org or call 570-346-2421.
Raffle Entry Sales to Support Meals on Wheels of NEPA Raffle entries are now on sale to support Meals on Wheels of NEPA. 1 Entry $10, 3 Entries $25, 7 Entries $50, 15 Entries $100. Tickets are available for purchase here or through PayPal. The raffle drawing will take place on May 28, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. First Place: Deluxe Vacation at Club Wyndham N. Myrtle Beach – August 28 through September 4, 2021. This spacious two-bedroom resort suite measures approximately 1,063 – 1,370 square feet. Sleeps up to a party of 8. Second Place: 65″ UHD Television Third Place: $250 Amazon Gift Card
VNA Hospice and Home Health Community Sock Donation Drive Success Every year the Christmas holiday tends to bring out the best qualities in our human race. A time for giving, placing others needs before our own, and donating a priceless gift of volunteered time. In November, our Volunteer Coordinator, Marina Pambianco, and our amazing volunteer network organized a local donation drive requesting pairs of socks to be distributed in the month of December along with Meals on Wheels food delivery. Our goal at VNA Hospice and Home Health was to collect 1000 pair of socks for those in need. This year the Visiting Nurse Association ASKED and our community ANSWERED loud and clear. We are overwhelmed with the tremendous community response. The total number of sock pairs collected for our VNA “Sox in the Box” donation collection was 3,410 pairs of socks. Yes, three thousand four hundred and ten beautiful, whimsical, uplifting, warm, and loving pairs of socks donated from various schools, patrons, churches, and community organizations in our local area. We are humbled and grateful to share this news and are especially thankful to the students and faculty who embraced this request at St Mary’s in Dunmore, LaSalle Academy in Jessup, parishioners from Queen of Angels in Jessup, Christ the King in Archbald and Eynon, Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Dunmore, Holy Cross in Olyphant and Sacred Heart in Peckville. There are so MANY WONDERFUL community members who donated to this great request and we have planned on sharing this sock bounty across Lackawanna County. Meals on Wheels will receive 2,000 pairs of socks. Therefore, each client will get 2 pairs of socks for Christmas and the rest will be distributed to local nursing homes and support agencies to brighten and uplift others this holiday season. This is a great introduction to the newly implemented, “VNA Smiles for Miles Project” which will begin for all VNA patients, families, and caregiver staff with recent funding provided by the Scranton Area Community Foundation. What a tremendous reflection of our community’s kindness and generosity! VNA Hospice and Home Health would like to wish you all good health and happiness this holiday season. May your hearts always be filled with love and kindness and your feet always be warm! United we stand, Onward and Upward we Achieve.
