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Gas cards donated to Meals on Wheels program in Alaska.
by Jenni Ragland –
A donation to The Salvation Army Older Alaskans Program (OAP) will help keep its vehicles “fueled up” in the fight against senior hunger. Thanks to a donation from the Tesoro Corporation, the OAP in Anchorage received $1,500 in gas cards to use in filling the tanks of its Meals on Wheels vehicles.
At the weekend promotion, Kip Knudson, external affairs manager for Tesoro Alaska, presented the gas cards to Susan Faith, OAP executive director, and Lt. Colonel Evelyn Hunter, (then) interim divisional commander. Also present were Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, Michele Brown from United Way, Mary Make Adams from Food Bank of Alaska, and members of the University Kiwanis Club’s Keystone Cops, longtime supporters of the OAP. KASH 107.5 radio personalities Jimmy and Goat hosted a two-hour remote, inviting listeners to stop in and fill their tanks for a good cause, with two cents from every gallon of gas sold donated to Meals on Wheels programs.
Expressing appreciation for the donation, Susan Faith said, “With the high cost of gas continuing to impact our budget, it’s wonderful to know our friends at Tesoro readily stepped forward to help with a very genuine need.” Mayor Begich echoed her comment, adding, “With seniors now the second fastest growing segment of Alaska’s population, we need to ensure quality services will be available—like those provided by The Salvation Army—right here in this community.”
In Anchorage, more than 102,000 hot, nutritious meals were delivered last year to frail and homebound seniors through the Army’s Meals on Wheels ministry.