Serving Seniors at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre in Steinbach was the recipient of the proceeds from the Taste of Summer Charity Barbecue held in front of the Steinbach Credit Union Wednesday over the lunch hour.

Carrie Bilawchuk is the Resource Coordinator for Serving Seniors, she was on hand to accept a cheque totaling $1,622.35. That's the largest amount of money raised at a charity barbecue so far.

Bilawchuk says it costs a lot of money to run the meals on wheels program, and it will be reassuring to have a little money in the bank in case something needs to be repaired or replaced. “To have a little excess money will help us to be proactive as opposed to reactive, so we don't have to wonder where we're supposed to get the money if something needs replacing.”

Bilawchuk says approximately 96 seniors use the meals on wheels program with about 20 meals going out each day. “We serve one meal per day which is the lunch time meal. It's reassuring for the seniors to have routine in their life, and to know they are getting a nutritious meal delivered to their door at the same time every day.”

According to Bilawchuk, the program wouldn't be able to run without volunteers. “Our only paid staff is our cook, everything else is done by volunteers.”

For many seniors, Bilawchuk says the volunteers that deliver the noon meal might be the only person they come into contact with, so it really makes a difference.  She adds they are currently looking for more volunteers to help with the meals on wheels program, with as little commitment as being available one hour each week, or to fill in when they need help.