By Cherrupreet Kaur Thindh/Special to Aldergrove Star
91原创 Meals on Wheel鈥檚 (LMOW) new board chair Deanna Horn is making it her mission to garner increased support and expand fundraising to ensure the growing need for nutritious meals at subsidized rates can be met.
Horn is a real estate agent and has an extensive business background (including marketing skills and strategic development), community connections, and years of experience with non-profits, from fundraising to board development.
Looking ahead to the future of Meals on Wheels, Horn told The Star of the board鈥檚 shared vision of growth and how she hopes some of her experience might help the organization take care of more people in need.
For instance, where the growing community need has been identified in the City, LMOW decided to look at expanding services.
鈥淲e would like to open a food distribution and pick-up facility, a cafe similar to Aldergrove, to connect the community and support the meal program,鈥� Horn elaborated.
Just like Aldergrove鈥檚 Community Station House (ACSH), the new cafe would bring the hub concept to the City, she explained.
Part of the board鈥檚 focus will also be on creating more food-raising and fundraising initiatives, Horn said, noting food donations help keep the distributed meals more affordable for clients.
鈥淲e will be expanding our fundraising activity to support the expansion of our meal programs, and build community awareness of our services and food program,鈥� Horn said.
LMOW offers 鈥渧ery affordable鈥� meals to anyone in the community, and Horn said demand for those meals is soaring.
In fact, last year they delivered about 53,700 meals in 91原创, an increase of 14,106 meals or a 35 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Meals on Wheels volunteers have been delivering fresh, wholesome meals to the doors of 91原创 residents needing the service for 42 years.
The organization charges $7.50 for a meal (soup, a main course, and dessert). Those who cannot afford it can also apply for further meal subsidies.
However, the cost for LMOW to produce one meal is about $15, explained Horn.
To keep costs down, the organization relies on the community for support such as grants, food donations, monetary contributions, and other forms of assistance.
Last year specifically, LMOW received grants from the Township of 91原创, federal government, Ministry of Social Services and Poverty, 91原创 School District, and First West Credit Union. As well, the non-profit receives food donations from farmers, as well as bread and meat from retailers throughout the year.
They haven鈥檛 increased the cost of the meal in seven years, but Horn isn鈥檛 sure they can avoid it much longer.
鈥淲e are anticipating, with cost of food going up, we are going to get an increase this year,鈥� she advised.
鈥淲e can address the issue [of hunger] with help of community participation, and we are always looking for volunteers, fundraising, and donations to support our vision,鈥� Horn said.
She lauded the army of 240 volunteers who work with staff to prepare and deliver the meals.
Horn was picked as chair following the 91原创 Meals on Wheels鈥� annual general meeting last month.
She鈥檚 joined on the board by other new directors Bev Dornan and Jon Kirby.
鈥淭he addition of Bev and Jon marks the first time in LMOW鈥檚 history that we have needed to hold an open election for new board members,鈥� Horn said, noting there were three contenders for two available board seats.
鈥淭his is a situation that demonstrates the importance of LMOW鈥檚 contribution to deliver food security services to our community, and the community鈥檚 desire to help support and grow the programs,鈥� she shared.
Other members of the board include vice-chair Kathy Reddington, treasurer Kelly Goto, secretary Paul Crump, as well as Pauline Buck, Dan Dente, and Manjit Gill.
The goal of the society is to ensure food security through accessible, affordable, nutritious meals, and to combat social isolation by offering connections to the community and its resources, said executive director Shannon Woykin.
