|
BLUE LEDGE MEALS ON WHEELS - FUNDED BY ... YOU!!
Several weeks ago, Blue Ledge Coordinator, Tammy Martin, received an influx of phone calls. However these were not her usual calls regarding meal prep and delivery. “Everyone was calling me asking if Meals on Wheels was ending,” Tammy recalled. “Volunteers and clients were asking me if I knew what would be happening to the program.”
This flurry of speculation came in immediately after news coverage of proposed budget cuts put Meals on Wheels squarely in the headlines as an organization whose funding might end or be reduced.
The Board of Directors would like to remind everyone that Amherst-based Blue Ledge Meals on Wheels receives no federal funding and will continue to provide hot meals to the homebound of the area with no interruption. Day to day operations will remain the same, whether federal budgets and grant programs are revised or not.
“Blue Ledge relies heavily on community support and does not seek out - or receive - federal assistance,” commented Amanda Hall, Treasurer. “We have no one on payroll. Every individual contributing to the operations of this organization is a volunteer.”
Cash donations from residents, local organizations, and businesses are key to keeping this chapter of Meals on Wheels operating. The Subaru “Share the Love” event is also a large benefactor to the program. And donations of time are essential…there are 60 volunteer drivers delivering hot meals to area residents, 5 days a week.
“In addition to the wonderful volunteers we have, we are also extremely fortunate to partner with generous food vendors in our area,” said Ashley Carter, President. “And we have nine churches that prepare and donate meals every month. This is truly amazing fellowship that I am proud to say comes from right here in the Amherst community.
Detailed see the list of vendors who enable Blue Ledge to deliver hot, nutrious meals to our clients!
|
