LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – March has been designated as a time to recognize the important contribution that Lake County's senior centers make to meeting the nutritional needs of seniors.

“Meals on Wheels Month” proclamations were given at the Clearlake City Council Feb. 28 and also at the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

Lakeport Senior Center Executive Director Jonathan Crooks said that 116,000 meals are delivered annually to seniors in Lake County, a service which helps them live independently in their homes for as long as possible.

He said another 59,000 congregate meals are served annually at the centers.

The Meals on Wheels programs around Lake County wouldn't be possible without many reliable volunteers, who not only deliver the meals but use that interaction as an opportunity to check on the welfare of their senior clients.

“The community we share is amazing. I am reminded daily how generous people are as they come to fundraisers, and volunteer time,” Crooks told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. “They do not do it for praise or recognition; they do it because they have compassion.”

He thanked everyone who plays a part in helping take care of the community's parents and grandparents. “Together we will continue our services, despite any funding cuts that may come. We are asked to keep doing more with less, and with you we can.”

Crooks encouraged community members to visit their local senior center in March, donate to and shop at their thrift stores, and see if there's a need that has to be met.

Marching for meals

Another way to help – participate in one of the upcoming March for Meals events at the senior centers which provide Meals on Wheels services.

On Friday, March 22, the Highlands Senior Service Center in Clearlake invites the community to tie on their sneakers and come join the fun during their third annual March for Meals and Open House.

March a mile for Meals on Wheels; registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the center, located at 3245 Bowers Road.

The walk, which begins at 9 a.m., will go from the center to the Burns Valley Shopping Center in an effort to raise awareness of senior hunger and encourage action on a local level.

Other March for Meals events will take place at the Lakeport Senior Center, Live Oak Senior Center in Clearlake Oaks and Middletown Senior Center on Friday, March 29.

At the Middletown Senior Center, Executive Director Jacque Spiker said they’ve been rained out of their marches for the last two years, so they’ve switched gears and decided to hold a bingo bash instead.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 29, the bingo bash will take place at the Middletown Senior Center, located at 21256 Washington St.

Bingo cards will cost $1 each, with all proceeds going to Meals on Wheels. There will be prizes but no cash awards, she said. There also will be hot dogs and soft drinks offered, and an open house.

Spiker said they moved into the new center on Nov. 26. It will share space with the new Middletown Library, which has not yet opened.

“It’s fabulous,” said Spiker.

The old center only held 46 people for lunch; on Monday the center hosted 72 for lunch, she said.

In addition to more space for food service, they also have activities including bridge and line dancing.

“We’re really excited,” she said.

At the Live Oaks Senior Center, located at 12519 Foothill Blvd. in Clearlake Oaks, the March 29 March on Meals will take place beginning at 12:30 p.m., after lunch, and will circle the nearby park, said Executive Director Pat Grabham.

Grabham said the center delivers 10,000 meals a month to homebound seniors.

They also do a brisk service at the center for daily lunches, with 105 people there to dine on Wednesday, she said.

“They just love to come and socialize,” said Grabham.

A grant-funded busing service helps bring people from Spring Valley, Glenhaven and Clearlake Oaks to and from the center for lunch, according to Grabham, who emphasized the importance of being able to socialize.

Grabham’s center is due to get a new building, which she said is tentatively scheduled to break ground in May and be completed by Christmas.

While they’ve already waited through several years of delays, “I think it will happen this time,” Grabham said.

In Lakeport, Crooks said the center’s March 29 March for Meals will begin at 11 a.m. at the center, 527 Konocti Ave., and goes down to the thrift store at 120 N. Main St. and back to the center.

He said it will be followed by some presentations and regular lunch at noon. Sponsorship forms for participating in the march can be obtained at the senior center from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information on how to get involved and help your local senior center with its Meals on Wheels efforts stop by or call. The centers can be reached at the following numbers: Lakeport, ; Live Oak Senior Center, 707-998-1950; Highlands Senior Center, 707-994-3051; Middletown, 707-987-3113.

Editor’s note: The Lucerne Alpine Senior Center is not listed as it lost its contract for nutrition services, including Meals on Wheels, late in February, with services set to terminate by the end of March.

Email Elizabeth Larson at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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