Meals on Wheels People is raising $4 million to establish a permanent Clark County hub in Vancouver, expanding its capacity to deliver meals, store emergency food supplies and provide specialized nutrition services.
The organization launched its Here for Good capital campaign during a 20th anniversary luncheon Sept. 29 at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, according to a Meals on Wheels People press release.
The planned hub at 3307 NE 109th Ave., Vancouver, would include a 7,500-square-foot warehouse and existing office space. The warehouse would hold about 28,000 frozen meals, enough to provide up to four weeks of meals during an emergency. The project received a $2.7 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce earlier this year.
Meals on Wheels People began serving Clark County in 2006 and has delivered more than 3 million meals in the county over the past 20 years. Over the past year, the organization provided 215,551 meals to 2,503 older adults in Clark County, supported by 271 volunteers who contributed more than 19,000 hours of service.
Local demand for services could grow as Clark County’s population ages. By 2035, more than one in four county residents is projected to be age 60 or older, according to Meals on Wheels People.
The facility would eventually serve as the organization’s Washington shipping hub for its Medically Tailored Meals program. Owning the property would also allow the organization to put money currently spent on warehouse rent toward programs and services, according to the release.
To learn more about the campaign, visit mowp.org/hereforgood.
