Hunger Task Force Fighting Hunger on the Plateau for Seniors and Kids!

Neighbors Feeding Neighbors is a partnership between ERHF, Enumclaw Senior Center, Enumclaw Youth and Family Services, Enumclaw School District and dedicated volunteers to help meet the hunger needs of our senior and youth population.

 

Senior Hot Meals

When the county said it would be eliminating funding for our local hot meal delivery program Dec. 31, 2012, it did not sit well with the community. Even though the program would continue with frozen meals, the more than 60 members who first met decided a chilly meal could not replace a hot meal delivered with a warm smile, and they stepped into action. Through the senior center kitchen hot meals are produced and delivered three times a week. Each delivery includes a picnic meal for the following day for a total of six meals a week.

The program started small, but continues to grow and is expected to increase as the economy continues to flounder and the population continues to age. According to AARP statistics nearly 9 million Americans 50 years old or older are at risk for
hunger each day. Due to the current economic situation, this number has seen a 79 percent increase in eight years.
Enumclaw’s elderly community is 14.9 percent of the population. Since its inception in the 1970s, the center has delivered approximately 41,690 meals to homes. In November 2012, Plateau Outreach Ministries (POM) reported 16 percent of its food bank clients were older than 55 years of age.

The program is self-supported through donations and grants.  Each meal costs $5, which the Foundation is asking those seniors or their families who are able, to pay, but there are many who cannot pay and will not be turned away. A donation of $5 provides one meal. A donation of $30 feeds a senior for a week.  Those who know a senior who could benefit from the program may call 360-825-4741 for information.

 

Weekend Backpack Program

Many children are at risk for hunger and many families struggle to provide them the nutrition they need to thrive.  As a result, many children are coming to school too distracted by their empty stomachs to focus on doing well in school. A backpack food programs is one way to provide needed food to children who would otherwise not have adequate access to food on weekends. Many of the children we plan to serve get most of their meals at school and have little or nothing to eat on the weekends. A backpack weekend food program requires the cooperation and support of the entire community, including school officials, community organizations, faith-based organizations, parents, and children.

In general, a  backpack program provides a bag of nonperishable food to children who have little or nothing to eat on the weekends. This food may help feed other members of the family as well. These bags are distributed at school to participating children and discreetly inserted in the kids’ backpacks on Fridays.

Donations of individually packaged food are accepted at the Enumclaw Regional Foundation Office or Southwood Elementary School.  Please reference the list below for acceptable food items.  Contact Rene’ Popke at 360-802-3206 or renep@enumclawrhf.org for a current need list.

Inventory List:

Breakfast:

Individual Cereal boxes

Oatmeal packets

Oatmeal Squares

Entrees:

Soup

Tuna/chicken meal kit

Mac & Cheese

Spaghetti O’s

Chef-Boyardee

Beef Ravioli

Beef Stew

Tuna cans

Chili

Franks and Beans

Cup of Noodles

Top Roman

Healthy Snacks:

Nature Valley Oat

Raisins

Trail mix

Nuts/Seeds

Cracker sandwiches

Crackers

Nutri-grain bars

Protein bars

Granola bars

Fruit leathers

Treats:

Cookies

Fruit Snacks

Popcorn

Pudding/ jello cups

Fruits/Veggies:

Fruit cups

Veggie cups

Applesauce

Dried fruits

Buddy Fruit

 

 

Contact Information for Neighbors Feeding Neighbors

Rich Elfers – richardelfers@clearwire.net or by calling the Enumclaw Regional Healthcare Foundation office at  360-802-3206.