Citizens to walk Miles for Meals on June 1

Supporters and well-wishers of the Nevada Senior Center will gather Sunday, June 1 at the Walton Lake Park to enjoy music, food and fun as well as raise funds for the center through Miles for Meals, a fund-raising walk. For a five dollar donation a barbecue, provided by Harry Pitts Famous BBQ, will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the park. The Nevada Senior Center provides meals to seniors regardless of their ability to pay. The center serves an average of 97 home delivered meals and 39 meals at the center each day for a total of 34,272 meals a year. While seniors donate generously for the meals, and grant funding provides additional support, community funding remains essential to continuing to serve the nutritional needs of Vernon County seniors. 43 percent of funds required for the center come from grant funds earned as services are provided; 31 percent are provided by volunteer and in-kind services; 20 percent comes from senior contributions;and six percent are received through fund-raising. Becky Hardin, center coordinator, expressed her gratitude for the support shown the center by area residents. "We are very grateful for the support of the Nevada Middle School and the citizens of Vernon County. We know they are committed to providing service learning opportunities for these youth. This is a fine example of how young people and older adults can work together to meet the needs of the frail elderly." All funds raised through Miles for Meals will be used only to support the meal program in Nevada and surrounding Vernon County communities. All underwriting costs for the walk are provided by sponsors including: Mike Keith Insurance Agency, Carroll County Memorial Hospital, Citizens Memorial Healthcare, Central Missouri Credit Union, First Community Bank, Aquila, Liberty Bank, Wal-Mart, and Springfield Grocer.