Legacy Contributes to Elder Services02:55PM / Saturday, December 06, 2008
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Legacy Banks Foundation has granted Elder Services
Bill Dunlaevy, Chairman and CEO of Legacy Banks; Robert Dean, executive director of Elder Services and Richard Sullivan, president of The Legacy Banks Foundation. |
of Berkshire County, Inc., $10,000 to support the organization’s Meals on Wheels Program. Last year, Elder Services prepared over a quarter million meals in their Lanesboro kitchen with over 200,000 of them delivered to the homes of frail Berkshire seniors and the remaining served at over 14 lunch sites throughout Berkshire County.
According to Robert P. Dean, executive director of Elder Services, state and federal funding sources have not kept pace with the increased food and fuel costs or the larger demand. “We so appreciate The Legacy Banks Foundation stepping forward to support this important program,” commented Dean. “With economic conditions being what they are, I am certain we will see the need for hot, nutritional meals for seniors continue to grow. Legacy’s significant financial contribution will go a long way toward ensuring that we are able to fulfill that need.”
Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels Program provides hot, nutritious noontime meals to seniors who are homebound throughout Berkshire County. Through this program, over 1,000 meals are prepared each weekday – over 800 of which are home-delivered by drivers who travel 226,000 miles a year throughout 38 different routes. In addition to delivering meals, Meals on Wheels drivers conduct daily “wellness checks” on the seniors who receive meals and keep an eye out for additional services they may need.
Richard Sullivan, president of The Legacy Banks Foundation, commended Elder Services, saying, “This is an important community-based program, which fills a vital need for a vulnerable population. We are pleased to support this effort and especially applaud those who volunteer their time to serve our elders.”
Anyone seeking information about Meals on Wheels may call Elder Services at 413-499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242. |