$10K raised for Meals on Wheels After 43 years, breakfast moved to March

More than 300 people turned out Friday morning for a SeniorCare Inc. fundraiser — a spring celebration for the organization’s Meals on Wheels program.

SeniorCare CEO Scott Trenti said organizers decided to shift what had been a Valentine’s Day event for 43 years to March instead this year after a spate of bad weather had clouded the event for the past few years.

Friday’s event raised approximately $10,000 for the program, Trenti said, on par or better than in past years. It was hosted as usual at The Gloucester House restaurant by the Linquata family, which donated all the food for the buffet, and much of the restaurant’s staff volunteered to cook and serve people. Members of Gloucester High School’s JROTC program, under the direction of Richard Muth, poured juice and bused the tables.

“We’re very happy,” Trenti said later Friday. “We had a great day and everyone seemed to have a great time. It was a celebration of Meals on Wheels. “

The benefit raises money to support a program that delivers hot meals to more than 550 elderly residents each day — a figure that translates to 136,216 home-delivered meals and 39,250 meals served at dining sites across Cape Ann in Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester and Essex, as well as in Beverly, Ipswich, Hamilton, Topsfield, and Wenham.

Trenti noted that the program — like the need — continues to grow.

“The community really rallies behind it,” he said. “That’s what makes this such a great event.”

Ray Lamont can be reached at 978-675-2705, or rlamont@gloucestertimes.com

From Left, Governer’s Council member Eileen Duff, llia Stacy of The Open Door and Deanna Fay of Harborlight Community Partners attend the annual Meals on Wheels benefit breakfast Friday at the Gloucester House restaurant.

Sara Picone visits with Micheal Linquata whose family hosted the annual Meals on Wheels benefit breakfast Friday at their Gloucester House restaurant.

Shirley Tarr, left, and Cathy Siegal, both of Adult Foster Care, attend the annual Meals on Wheels benefit breakfast Friday at the Gloucester House restaurant.

Joe and Edie Parisi, both longtime delivery drivers for Meals on Wheels enjoy a meal of their own Friday morning during the annual Meals on Wheels benefit breakfast at the Gloucester House restaurant.

From left, licensed practical nurse Ida Christopher, registered nurse Grace Simpson, Catherine Perry, Lee Swekla (standing), Catherine Porter, and Nan Boyle attend the annual Meals on Wheels benefit breakfast Friday at the Gloucester House restaurant.

Original article:
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/news/local_news/k-raised-for-meals-on-wheels/article_6af7e050-948c-531e-be74-a94aa15ebe0e.html