Author: CourtneyM

I’m excited to share some very special news with you. Beginning last November, Senior Life Resources has been transitioning to a new name of Generational Care.
This change is more than just a new name. It’s a reflection of the heart and history that built us where every founder, volunteer, supporter, team member, and client has made our mission possible. Each generation has helped shape who we are today and continues to inspire the care we have provided for over 50 years.
Our mission remains to preserve and enhance quality of life for every generation with dignity and care. Guided by our guiding principle of It is not about us; it is about the people we serve, we will continue connecting health, home, and heart through every meal delivered and every act of kindness shared.
While our focus will always be on serving older adults, our work naturally extends beyond age. We support caregivers, families, and neighbors because every generation is touched by care. Each meal, each visit, and each smile brings people together and reminds us that compassion knows no boundaries.
Generational Care is for everyone. Generational Care is for you.
With this transition, our newsletter will now include updates and stories from all of our programs that include Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, Home Care Services, and Healthy Ages. You’ll be able to stay connected with all that’s happening and see how each program supports the others in creating a network of compassionate care.
Thank you for being part of our journey and for allowing us to be part of yours. Together, we are carrying forward a legacy of compassion, connection, and community that grows stronger with every generation.
With heartfelt gratitude,

Brandy Hickey

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As the year comes to a close, I can’t help but feel deep gratitude and pride as I reflect on our work here at Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels. Our program has continued to grow, and we are thrilled to be serving more people in our community than ever before. None of this would be possible without our dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners. Thank you all for the commitment you bring to our mission every single day.

This month is packed with activity!

The Holiday Wish List program is wrapping up! Our elves have been hard at work packing gift bags, and distribution has already begun. We hope these gifts bring some joy and comfort to each recipient. A huge thank-you to the incredible team of elves who make this program happen, and to all the generous donors who support it each year.

The annual survey has been distributed. Please take a moment to share your honest feedback—it truly helps us improve our services. You can return your completed survey through your volunteer driver or by giving it to a Dining Site Lead. Thank you in advance for your input!

Gift bags for our Congregate Participants will also be distributed this month. These are generously provided by our community partner, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, through their Santa for Seniors program. We are deeply grateful for their continued support.

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Happy Thanksgiving!
This season always reminds me to express gratitude for the amazing people who help make Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels such a special program. Our team is made up of wonderful and generous individuals; volunteers, donors, grant funders, and staff all dedicating their time and energy to fulfilling our mission. Without everyone coming together, the program wouldn’t be what it is today. On behalf of Senior Life Resources NW, thank you!
Oktoberfeast Recap
The Oktoberfeast event was a tremendous success! Hundreds of people came together to support Meals on Wheels, and the day was filled with fun and community spirit. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we raised $50,000 for the program. We are so grateful for your support!
Annual Client Survey
In November, we’ll be distributing our Annual Client Survey. Your feedback helps us improve our services, so please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your thoughts. Your input truly makes a difference!
Holiday Gift Program
A reminder to our home-delivered meal clients: please return your completed wish lists so our elves can prepare and deliver your holiday gift bags. We’re so thankful for the elves who bring a little extra cheer to our clients each year! Cut off for list return is November 1st.
November Closures
Meals on Wheels will be closed on November 11 (Veterans Day) and November 27–28 (Thanksgiving). Frozen meals are available to cover these days for our homebound clients. If you’re unsure whether you’re set to receive a frozen meal replacement, please contact your Site Lead for assistance.
Wishing you all a warm and joyful Thanksgiving!

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October is here and so is our annual OktoberFeast event!! October 4th from 10am to 2pm at 1824 Fowler St in Richland. Please note that parking for the event will be at 2600 Columbia Blvd. This is where the run will start from and there is an entrance to our campus from the lot as well for easy access to the festivities. Please come join us for this exciting event filled with delicious food and great company, all while supporting a great cause!
So, what is Oktoberfeast? It is a casual 5k fun run event designed to have something for every member of your family, even the pups! After the run, the event really kicks off at our Meals on Wheels campus.
Run or Walk: Participants can choose to run a competitive, timed race or a more relaxed walk. Dogs, strollers, all are welcome to join in.
Post-Race Celebration: Root beer, Lamb Weston fry trailer, Bavarian-style lunch, and so much more.
Kid-Zone: Packed with fun games and activities, even the younger ones can have a great time.
Dog Corner: Place where the furry friends can enjoy some fun and socialization.
Biergarten: Serving up some cold brews. Grab a seat and relax with some friends while enjoying a cool beverage.
Dunk Tank: Think you’ve got good aim? Test your throwing arm at our dunk tank for a chance to drop a brave volunteer into the splash zone!! Every toss helps support our mission.
OktoberFeast is more than just a day for exercise and great food, it is a celebration. Coming together to support a cause that is a blessing to so many in our community. By participating, you are contributing to the continued success and impact of Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, further allowing us to provide essential services to those in need.
We are looking forward to gathering with everyone on October 4th! Come help make this year this biggest and best OktoberFeast yet!

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As summer winds down, we’re counting down the days to our annual OktoberFeast celebration! This year’s event will be held on October 4th, and we are deeply grateful to HMIS and the many other generous supporters who make it possible. OktoberFeast is both family, and pet-friendly, so bring the whole crew. We can’t wait to see you there!
Labor Day is coming up on September 1st, a day to honor the countless contributions workers have made to America. At Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, we feel privileged to serve thousands of clients who spent their careers strengthening not just our community, but our nation as a whole. We thank you for your dedication and service!
Round Table Pizza is hosting Pizza Night with a Purpose on September 1st from 4pm to 8pm at 1769 Leslie Rd. Join us for a delicious slice (or two) and help us serve even more seniors in our community.
We close twice each year for mandatory staff training. Our next training closure will be on September 25th. Home delivery participants will automatically receive a frozen meal in advance.
In October, we’ll be distributing our annual client survey. This important tool helps us gather valuable feedback so we can evaluate our services and adapt to changing needs. If you receive a survey, please take a few minutes to complete it. Your input makes a real difference.

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Summer is flying by, and the days have been HOT!
But the heat hasn’t slowed us down we’re busier than ever! As temperatures rise, so has the number of people utilizing our services, which is fantastic. However, with more clients to serve, we need more volunteers to keep everything running smoothly. If you or someone you know have a little extra time, check out the volunteer opportunities below:
Transporter: help package, load, and deliver meals from our Central Kitchen to one of our dining centers.
Monday – Richland Transporter, report time: 8:30 a.m.
Drive one of our Meals on Wheels vans filled with the day’s meals and supplies.
Typical shift: 2.5 hours
Wednesday – Connell Transporter, report time: 9:45 a.m.
Drive our Subaru Outback to deliver meals to Connell.
Typical shift: 2 hours
Route Driver
We currently have 11 open routes!
Report time: 10:30 a.m.
Use your own vehicle to deliver meals directly to clients’ homes.
Typical shift: 2 hours
Dining Site Server
Help serve meals at one of our Dining Centers.
Report times vary by location.
Typical shift: 1.5 hours
Substitute
Can’t commit to a regular shift? Join our substitute list! We need subs for routes, serving, packaging, and transport. Let us know if you’d like to be added. If you’re available to help with any of these roles, please contact our Volunteer Program Manager, Janine Jackson, at 509-735-1911 or volunteerprogrammanager@seniorliferesources.org.
We are endlessly grateful for our volunteers. Without you, we simply couldn’t serve so many people in our community. THANK YOU!

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July is here, and the year is already halfway through!
We’ve had an exciting year so far—and there’s still so much more to come! Our staff and volunteers continue to strive for excellence in serving this amazing community. We’re thrilled to see more community members taking advantage of our services. Our dining centers are busier than ever, which is wonderful! We love seeing friendships blossom and rooms filled with smiling faces. We’re also serving more Home Delivery participants, and we couldn’t do it without our incredible community partners, devoted volunteers, and dedicated staff. Thank you all for making this possible!

The 2025 Farmers Market Program is off to a great start!
We’ve received many applications, and we’re happy to report that everything has been running smoothly this year. If you’re just learning about the program, it provides $80 in benefits for low-income seniors to use at approved Farmers Markets. To qualify, individuals must be aged 60 or older, meet income guidelines, and live in Benton or Franklin Counties. Applications are available at all of our dining centers, or you can call us at 509-735-1911 to request one by mail. If you have any questions about the program or how to apply, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Mark your calendars—Oktoberfeast is coming!
Our annual Oktoberfeast event will take place on October 4th at our campus off Fowler Street. The event features a 5K run (or walk—your choice!), traditional German food, a beer garden, a kid zone, and so much more. We’re even bringing back the Dunk Tank this year! Keep an eye out for more information on how to register and other event details. It’s going to be a fun-filled day for the whole family!

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Here’s a look at what’s been happening at Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels as we head into summer!

Things are bustling around here, and we have so much to be thankful for. We’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers, community partners, and supporters who make this program so special. Here are some recent highlights:

Volunteer Appreciation Night with the Dust Devils
Wow—what a night! It was such a joy to bring our amazing volunteers together for an evening of celebration. A huge thank-you to Catholic Charities for co-sponsoring the event, and to the Dust Devils team for their warm hospitality. Everything went off without a hitch—including our very own volunteer, Ray Colella, who threw the first pitch! The feedback we’ve received has been fantastic.

Celebrate Your Pet Campaign
This campaign is wrapping up, and most of the special bags have been delivered. Thank you to everyone who donated, delivered, or helped pack the bags—especially our incredible team of “elves” who made it all happen!

Washington State Senior Farmers Market Program
Applications are coming in steadily! This program offers $80 in benefits for eligible low-income seniors to use at participating farmers markets across Washington State. To qualify, seniors must be 60 or older (55+ for Native Americans), meet income guidelines, and live in Benton or Franklin Counties. For more info, give us a call at 509-735-1911.

Annual Gala
What a moving and memorable evening! It was inspiring to see so many come together in support of our program and the community we serve. Thank you to our sponsors, attendees, volunteers, and staff for making the event truly special.

Spring Gift Bags from Santa for Seniors
The gift bags are going out, thanks to the generosity of the Santa for Seniors program by Lutheran Community Services NW – Greater Puget Sound. We’re so grateful to them for providing the gifts, to the volunteers who assembled the bags, and to everyone helping with delivery.

We are filled with gratitude and joy for all the support we’ve received. We hope our work brings even a little bit of sunshine to the lives of those we serve—because they truly deserve it.

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Celebrating Older Americans Month: “Flip the Script on Aging”

Each May, the nation comes together to celebrate Older Americans Month, led by the Administration for Community Living. This year’s theme, “Flip the Script on Aging,” invites us all to rethink the way we view and talk about aging—encouraging a more inclusive, empowered, and respectful perspective.

At Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, we honor and support older adults every single day. From providing nourishing meals and meaningful social connections to enhancing overall quality of life, we are proud to serve our community’s seniors with heart and purpose.

Our incredible team of volunteers—many of whom are seniors themselves—perfectly embody the spirit of this year’s theme. Their dedication, energy, and compassion show that age is no barrier to making a difference. In fact, client feedback consistently highlights the relationships and interactions with our volunteers as one of the most treasured parts of our program. These connections not only brighten the lives of our participants but bring joy and fulfillment to our volunteers as well.

Join Us for Our Annual Gala: “Lights, Camera, IMPACT!”

May also brings one of our most exciting events of the year—our annual Gala! This year’s theme is “Lights, Camera, IMPACT!” and it promises to be a night to remember.

Location: At Michele’s in Richland
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Date: Thursday, May 30th

Guests will enjoy a lively evening featuring a delicious dinner, silent and live auctions, a “Heads or Tails” raffle, and even an after-hours cigar bar! Come dressed as your favorite movie character and help us create a blockbuster impact for local seniors.

Tickets and tables are available now—consider hosting a group of friends for a fun and meaningful night out. We can’t wait to see you there!

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