Reading >> Berks Encore is proud to announce that it will be participating in the annual Subaru Share the Love Event as a member of Meals on Wheels America – one of four national Share the Love charitable partners for the ninth year running.
From now to Jan. 3, 2017, Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to the customer’s choice of participating charity. Berks Encore is partnering with local Subaru retailer Steve Moyer Subaru, Leesport, to raise awareness for the popular year-end sales and giving event, and drive support for Meals on Wheels through a variety of activities.
“We are so pleased to partner with Steve Moyer Subaru for the Share the Love Event,” says LuAnn Oatman, Berks Encore President/CEO. “The partnership of Subaru of America and Meals on Wheels America has made a difference in the lives of so many seniors both nationwide and here in Berks County. We thank the community for their support in making the Share the Love Event a game changer for senior hunger and isolation in our community.”
Steve Moyer Subaru will lead the Share the Love/Stuff the Trunk efforts, a signature food drive event; Steve Moyer Subaru, Berks Encore centers, and a variety of other businesses will be collecting nonperishable food and toiletry donations until Dec. 31. For a list of participating businesses, visit berksencore.org/sharethelove. The donated items will be distributed via individual centers in the weeks following the campaign to homebound seniors in need.
Berks Encore also encourages the community to become an Angel to Meals on Wheels recipients. “Many seniors who are homebound don’t receive many cards or gifts during the holidays-or they don’t receive any at all. It’s important for those same seniors to know just how much the community cares about them,” Lori Smith, Berks Encore’s Director of Care Management, “And small gifts can mean so much.” Berks Encore’s Angel Tree provides our Meals on Wheels consumers with holiday gifts. The agency is asking for individuals and businesses to donate gifts for clients throughout the county. Items like gift cards, snacks and snack baskets//bags, puzzle books, warm weather items (such as blankets, scarves, gloves, hats), as well as crafts and cards. The agency also encourages school and church groups as well as Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops to create handmade cards and greetings for distribution to the county’s seniors. A Meals on Wheels route or area can be “adopted” via this program; confirm your participation with Lori by Nov. 24. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 18; please contact Lori for more information at 610-374-3195, x220.
“It is a true testament to the value of Meals on Wheels and the strength of our nationwide network that Subaru of America and its customers choose to give back to this vital service year after year,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “Since its inception, Share the Love has helped deliver more than 1.4 million meals to seniors served by Meals on Wheels. It is our hope that this year’s event ensures that even more seniors receive the nourishment they need to continue living independently at home.”
This year, for the first time throughout the life of the program, there will be no cap on the total donation from Subaru of America to its Share the Love charitable partners. By the end of this year’s event, Subaru hopes to exceed a grand total of $90 million donated since the creation of Share the Love.
“We at Subaru are thrilled to support our national and hometown charity partners for the ninth consecutive year,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America Inc. “Through the Share the Love platform we are proud to continue our commitment to the causes our customers care about most and look forward to exceeding a grand total of $90 million donated through this initiative.”
By purchasing or leasing a new Subaru during the Event and selecting Meals on Wheels America as your charity of choice, you can help deliver nutritious meals and other important services to seniors right here in Berks County.
For more information, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelove.
