Community Care Peterborough’s Meals To Go fundraiser is returning in March, after an absence last year due to the pandemic, delivering $10 lunches to local businesses in the city of Peterborough and — new this year — in Lakefield as well.
Part of the annual March for Meals campaign, which sees Meals on Wheels providers across Ontario increase awareness of the availability and value of Meals on Wheels programs, the funds raised by Meals To Go will support Community Care’s Meals on Wheels program, which provides high-quality and affordable meals to seniors living alone and more, and the Give A Meal subsidy program, which provides a free meal to a senior who is struggling financially.
“This year, with the addition of deliveries into Lakefield, we are planning for 600 lunches to be ordered and hoping to raise $4,000,” says Iris Crowder, client services coordinator for Community Care Peterborough, in a media release. “The Meals to Go lunch is $10 per person and, for every additional $10 donation participants make, they are providing a meal for a senior who truly can’t afford one for themselves.”
Prepared at The Mount Community Centre’s kitchen in partnership with the Community Training and Development Centre and packaged by Outpost Packaging, with cheese donated by Cross Wind Farm, the lunches will be delivered directly to workplaces by Community Care’s Meals on Wheels volunteers.
Delivery dates in Peterborough are Wednesday, March 2nd and Wednesday, March 30th, and in Lakefield on Tuesday, March 1st and Tuesday, March 29th. Curbside pickup at The Mount Community Centre (1545 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough) is also available on those dates between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
This year’s lunch menu has a southwestern theme and includes a starter of a flavourful homemade mango coconut curry soup, an option of a grilled chicken wrap (with cheddar cheese, tomato, corn, black beans, and zesty chipotle mayo) or a salad (with grilled chicken, tomato, corn and black beans on a bed of fresh greens), and a moist date cake with coconut frosting for dessert. Vegetarian and lactose-free menu options are also available upon request.
Operating in Peterborough since 1964, the Meals on Wheels program ensures seniors can receive hot nutritional meals to help them remain healthy in their own homes. The program also provides a social visit by a caring volunteer and a safety check for those who are isolated. Sometimes, a Meals on Wheels volunteer may be the only person a senior interacts with on a given day.
Community Care also offers a Meals on Wheels subsidy program for those who can’t afford regular meals. In 2021, more than 50 people benefited from the subsidy program, receiving around 1,809 meals at no cost.
“The Meals on Wheels program that we provide to clients in the City and County of Peterborough truly empowers them to live independently and healthier at home,” says Community Care executive director Danielle Belair. “We are seeing an increase in the need for this program and there is an increased demand on us to provide more subsidies for low income clients. The donations that we receive through the Meals To Go fundraiser certainly help us to meet this growing need.”
Meals To Go lunches are $10 each. You can order online at commcareptbo.org/mealstogo, where you can also download a printable order form. Orders must be received at least seven days prior to your selected delivery or pickup date.
Donations are encouraged when ordering, with charitable tax receipts available for donations of $10 or more.
