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LEWISTON — SeniorsPlus will collaborate with Evergreen Subaru of Auburn on a food drive as part of the national Subaru Share the Love program.
The two organizations will partner together to hold a Stuff the Subaru – Share the Love Food Drive for seniors in need from through Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Evergreen Subaru at 774 Center St. in Auburn.
Food gathered at the drive will be used by SeniorsPlus to create emergency food packs of non-perishable foods for distribution to those in need.
SeniorsPlus serves through its Meals on Wheels program more than 100,000 meals annually to almost 800 individuals. Individuals who wish to contribute to the food drive may drop off non-perishable items between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at Evergreen Subaru, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
“These Emergency Food Packs enable us to divert a crisis hunger situation while longer-term solutions are found,” said Betsy Sawyer-Manter, president and CEO of SeniorsPlus. “More than 200,000 Mainers struggle against hunger.
No one should go hungry,”
Items on the wish list for the food drive include non-perishable food (dry goods, canned foods, etc.) suitable for snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner. These may include meals in a can (soup, stew, chili), canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, low-sodium canned vegetables, low-sugar whole grain cereals and healthy snacks.
Items that are discouraged include soda, candy, items packaged in glass, and bulk quantities of rice, flour or sugar.
This past fall, in celebration of its 50th anniversary and in keeping with its commitment to support local communities nationwide, Subaru of America Inc., in partnership with Meals on Wheels America, donated a Meals on Wheels delivery vehicle to SeniorsPlus.
The overall program goal of SeniorsPlus, which is headquartered in Lewiston, is to assist older adults and adults with disabilities in Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties to remain safely at home for as long as possible. The majority of older adults (greater than 95% in an AARP survey) wish to remain at home until they die. The provision of Meals on Wheels can make the difference between staying at home and going to a nursing home or other facility. Each meal provides one-third of the recommended daily allowance of nutrition, a safety check, and a friendly visit to vulnerable adults.
PHOTO: Chris Randall, Meals on Wheels driver, and Holly Zielinski (at left), chief operating officer at SeniorsPlus, stand with members of the team at Evergreen Subaru in Auburn as they launch aShare the Love food drive that runs through Valentine’s Day. (Submitted photo)
