Thanks for Stanislaus County meals donations

I want to thank the citizens who made contributions to the Senior Meal Programs in May and June.

You helped bridge the gap in funding due to a 18 percent-plus increase in demand. A total of 2,498 seniors were served, 1,207 at 14 congregate sites (71,226 meals), and 1,291 (154,527 meals) in their homes.

Howard Training Center ran out of funding in May this year. Usually we run out in June. We have always served more meals than contracted for, covering the cost through fund-raising. This year we couldn't keep up with the demand. But a miracle happened and the community joined together and raised an additional $120,000.

Last fiscal year, Howard Training Center raised more than $260,000 for senior meals.

Funding covered 60,000 meals for congregate sites and 135,000 meals for home delivered. We served 32,753 meals over the contract. 21,527 of those meals were delivered to our communities frail and most needy homebound seniors.

It didn't matter when the decision was made to restrict service as seniors would have been placed on a waiting list due to a lack of funding regardless. It was the community's generous heart and caring for our seniors that made the difference.

CLAUDIA K. MILLER

executive director, Howard Training Center

Modesto