Letter to the editor: Happy meals

Truth is Director Denise Patton and I, and our staff, take our jobs quite seriously. We have a lot of fun here but we like to make sure we are looking out and reaching out to all of our clients.

We do a lot more than most people (even us) realize, but we also don’t do it alone, and it is so very rewarding on such a spiritual level.

We all feel like we have the community behind us and that gives us so much hope, strength, and help as a nonprofit. We do struggle financially most years, Denise does bingo every Thursday at the Senior Center to help us pay the bills, not to mention other fundraisers and grants (like from United Way) that help throughout the year.

We get a set amount per meal provided from our local Area Agency on Aging, who have gone to bat for us to get other funds too.

But there is always a need and that is where you, The Dalles community always stepped up.

Whether it is volunteering as a driver or a desk person or in the kitchen, giving us a donation, from items to money, or helping us get the word out for free (thank you radio stations of the gorge!), or even donating food (businesses and individuals), we are so grateful from the bottom of our hearts.

You help us reach those that might not be noticed or get the nutrition they need, you give them a choice to stay in their homes and a meal when they might otherwise go hungry, you lift us up and make us what we are.

Thank you community members for loving and blessing us, this award is yours too.

Gratefully,

Ashley Lauterbach

Meals on Wheels team