Community residents and Kiwanis support restaurants and Meals on Wheels

Neighbors are coming together in creative ways to support each other and community organizations during this uncertain time. Westlake Meals on Wheels (WMOW) is partnering with local restaurants and the program has received tremendous support.  Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough endorses the program and feels it can have a positive impact. “Si Senor & Subway are just two of the Westlake businesses that have stepped up to help. I encourage other businesses and volunteers to join us in this great program,” said the Mayor.

Westlake School Superintendent Dr. Scott Goggin also expressed support. “Including our local businesses is a great idea to not only provide for our senior citizens, but also support our local businesses.  This is a creative idea to build a win-win relationship,” said Dr. Goggin.

Westlake Kiwanis also has gotten involved by being a meal sponsor for local restaurant meals for Meals on Wheels recipients every Tuesday for the next month. “This is such an amazing opportunity to help our community. Helping local restaurants to help others really emphasizes how together we will get through this time of crisis,” said Westlake Kiwanis President-elect Kevin Walker.

The program works as follows: Residents of the community looking to help can “donate” meals from local restaurants (each meal is $5) for WMOW to provide to their recipients to replace the in-house prepared meals. When the number of donations reaches 75, the restaurant will provide the meal for WMOW to serve. The program currently has nine participating restaurants, and more are welcome.

This program allows members of the community to help both entities – local restaurants and Meals on Wheels. WMOW board chairman Dr. Carl Rak sees it as a way to meet the challenges of the day. “The first is healthy meals for our recipients. The second is to keep staff and volunteers safe. The third is the development of a WMOW/restaurant partnership to keep both groups viable in these challenging times,” said Dr. Rak.

Support from community residents “has been nothing short of amazing,” said WMOW Executive Director Marie Patten-Blatter. Mr. Walker of the Kiwanis added, “We would like to express our gratitude to Meals on Wheels for making it so easy to help so many.” 

To participate as a restaurant or to donate a meal for $5, visit my.cheddarup.com/c/wmow-neighbors-united-delivering-together.

Brooke ODonnell

Brooke O'Donnell

Marketing and Community Outreach for Meals on Wheels Westlake

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Volume 12, Issue 8, Posted 9:01 AM, 04.21.2020