Meals on Wheels People Raises $325,000 for Homebound Older Adults During Annual Donate Dinner Campaign
New Seasons Market is the largest Donate Dinner community partner. Customers helped raise over $277,000 for homebound older adults during the campaign.
In the eight days leading up to Thanksgiving, Portland shoppers donated a record-breaking $325,000 to Meals on Wheels People’s 22nd annual Donate Dinner campaign. The contributions will provide more than 54,000 nutritious meals to homebound seniors throughout the greater metro area this holiday season.
Roth’s Fresh Markets & Chuck’s Produce donated hundreds of pounds of groceries to support Meals on Wheels People clients during the holiday season.
“We are overwhelmed by the level of generosity our incredible donors, partners, and volunteers showed for our aging neighbors during Donate Dinner,” says Suzanne Washington, CEO of Meals on Wheels People. “The holidays can be a challenging time for older adults who are alone or don’t live near family. Meals on Wheels People delivers more than meals. Our volunteers also check on our homebound older adults and offer social connections that ensure they feel loved, connected, and celebrated during the holiday season.”
Donate Dinner continues to set the standard as one of the Portland-metro area’s most successful retail grocery fundraisers. In 2022, Portland shoppers donated a record-breaking $325,000, providing more than 54,000 nutritious meals to homebound seniors throughout the greater metro area this holiday season.
This year marked the return of Donate Dinner to its pre-pandemic format, which included in-store greeters. Working in partnership with over 25 local grocery stores and retailers, Meals on Wheels People volunteers inspired shoppers to “donate dinner to a homebound senior” at the register when shopping for their Thanksgiving meal: An extra $9.05 provided one meal, $65 paid for a week of meals, and $3,040 provided a year of meals for a homebound older adult. Hundreds of volunteers participated as store greeters during the eight days of the campaign, making it one of the largest volunteer events in the region.
Customers at New Seasons Market, the largest Donate Dinner community partner, helped raise over $277,000. Green Zebra Grocery, the second-largest community partner, helped raise more than $7,200. Cambia Health Foundation provided a double match for donations made on Nov. 22 of the Donate Dinner campaign, which inspired hundreds of donors to make a gift and double their impact: New Seasons Market customers donated nearly $50,000 on double-match day.
In addition to funds raised, Roth’s Fresh Markets & Chuck’s Produce donated hundreds of pounds of groceries to support Meals on Wheels People clients during the holiday season. Other Donate Dinner community partners included Jamba Juice, Pioneer Place, Market of Choice, Jim’s Market, E&J Gallo Winery, and Indigo Traders.
This year marked the return of Donate Dinner to its pre-pandemic format, which included in-store greeters. Hundreds of volunteers participated as store greeters during the eight days of the campaign, making it one of the largest volunteer events in the region.
Donate Dinner continues to set the standard as one of the Portland-metro area’s most successful retail grocery fundraisers. To donate dinner to a homebound older adult this holiday season, visit donatedinner.org.
About Meals on Wheels People: Meals on Wheels People has been changing lives, one meal and connection at a time, since 1970. We provide more than a meal to thousands of older adults in the greater Portland metro area. Our service not only alleviates hunger and social isolation but allows seniors to live independently with dignity in their own homes. Aging in place reduces depression, falls, and hospitalization as well as the high cost of institutional care. For more information, visit mowp.org.
