Stepping Stone project supports senior meals program

FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Senior Center’s Stepping Stone project has been organized as a fundraiser to benefit its Senior Meals program, especially the home-delivered meals for homebound seniors.

The stepping stones (bricks) are $100 each; $20 pays for the two line engraving and the other $80 pays for seven home delivered meals to the homebound. It is an ongoing fundraiser as the goal is to continue to provide the funds for the meals program. The center delivers meals even if people cannot pay, so this fundraiser is a great opportunity for residents to support seniors right here in this community.

Many Fallbrook seniors are homebound, sometimes due to illness, surgery, or because they can no longer drive. There are also various reasons why they have no family here to help them with meals. It costs the senior center between $12.50 and $14 for each home-delivered healthy, nutritious meal. This includes the purchase of food and special food containers, preparation of food by the center’s chef, and the safe and sanitary delivery of the food in the San Diego Hot Shot truck.

Total maintenance of the vehicle is solely the senior center’s responsibility. With all costs going up, except gas right now, the center’s special projects manager, Phyllis Sweeney, created the Stepping Stones project to fund raise for the program. “Because I want to keep it affordable so people can buy <a meal> and feel a part of something in their own community,” she said.

With the stepping stones, Sweeney added, “I hope to also make an outdoor area for people to sit and enjoy and make new friends and/or enjoy their current ones.”

The patio area is right outside the senior center main entrance. Sweeney also said, “Seniors are very grateful for the opportunity for these meals. Many people are unaware of the need and the fact that the senior center offers this to seniors.”

For more information about the meals program, or how to donate, call the senior center at (760) 728-4498.